Graduation is here, and you can almost see the finish line. After D4 requirements, NBDE Part II, residency applications and licensure clinical exams: poof, you’ll be a dentist! The blood, sweat and tears that you put in over the last four years are finally going to pay off. When thinking about the last few years, I began to wonder: Am I better off today than I was four years ago?
I began dental school bright-eyed and bushy-tailed. Each year in dental school presented its own unique obstacles. Yet, each year taught me many invaluable lessons, not only about dentistry, but also about myself. I’m here to pass some of these lessons on to help you navigate your way through the challenges of dental school.
- Life is not static. Change has been and will always be occuring in both our personal and professional lives. Dentists are natural, goal-oriented perfectionists. We set goals and aim high, but don’t forget that the true excitement lies in working towards a goal. So (try to) have fun while working on that denture case. Seek advice and always remember to ask questions. You are at school to learn.
- Find the positive side in every situation. John Wooden once said, “If you’re not making mistakes, then you’re not doing anything. I’m positive that a doer makes mistakes.” There will be days you leave sim lab or clinic feeling on top of the world and other days, not so much. As young professionals, we are constantly exposed to a multitude of activities. Try to learn from both the good and the bad and don’t be afraid to make mistakes. I learned the most from my mistakes and I am better for it.
- Relationships. You are surrounded by people almost every moment of every day: peers, professors, friends, family and patients. Make the most of each interaction and learn what you can from others. Explore your interests and get involved! Join campus organizations and/or national organizations (like ASDA).
For me, the most meaningful moments over the past four years have been spent with others. However, I’ve come to realize that communication plays the most significant role in dentistry. During my third year, I was in the final steps of a complete denture case when the professor caught an error that we had both overlooked. We had to start all over, but by effectively communicating to the patient we wanted to make the best denture for him, the patient and I were able to build a strong relationship. The patient later named his denture after me (both funny and a little unusual). This experience taught me that becoming a good dentist really means being good with people. Strong restorative skills is just as important as your patients liking you.
I may have had a few less wrinkles four years ago, but with those came some wisdom, strong friendships, great memories and an invaluable set of dental skills that I will be able to use throughout my life to help others. Remember to enjoy all of the adventures of dental school. Graduation will come at you in a blink of an eye.
~ Gabriella Orona Bateman, San Francisco ’16
