During dental school, we benefit from an interconnected community of experienced dentistry. But once we graduate, who do we turn to? How do new graduates find a new community? The answer: networking.
Sticks, pucks and teeth
Ever wonder what it’s like to be a dentist in the National Hockey League? Where your patient pool consists of professional athletes who crash into boards at speeds of up to 45 mph, all while leaving their mouths exposed to the unpredictable trauma that can present in the blink of …
The ABCs to my life
Decisions shape the course of our lives like a hot PKT on wax. Many times people find decision-making stressful and burdensome. I am no different, however I always turn to my ABC’s to help simplify the situation. The ABC’s to my life are something I invented in college. Although I obtained a chemistry degree, one of the most valuable takeaways was self-discovery. The ABC’s I developed can be used to handle any situation.
Advocating during the August congressional recess
Lobby Day. Hundreds of dental students gathered in Washington, D.C. to meet with senators and representatives from their states. The goal: to lobby for dentists, patients and dental students on behalf of the profession. If you have attended Lobby Day, you know the thrill of scampering around the nation’s capitol.
For most students, this is not the case. Dental school is tough and time-consuming, which makes travel across the country difficult. But all is not lost when it comes to advocacy. Being in the nation’s capitol delivering your message is incredible, but not always feasible. One of the best places to meet with a member of Congress is in their respective district.
Finding balance for the journey
Most of us would agree that beginning dental school is challenging. I’d liken it to being in the passenger seat of a muscle car during a drag race. You’re excited to get going, but largely unprepared for the change of pace that you’re about to experience. How we adapt during this time is instrumental to our future success.
Try Snapchat to “snap up” patients
As millennials, many of us are quite familiar with the app Snapchat. Whether we’re face-swapping with our dogs, or using it as a great way to embarrass that classmate who fell asleep in class again, the growing popularity of this mobile appl has enabled us to connect effortlessly with our friends, family and even some celebrities. But could Snapchat also be a powerful, untapped marketing tool for health care professionals?
In a market that is moving towards increased commoditization of professional services, dentists must make a difficult choice: sell “affordability” by cutting fees or sell the experience that your practice offers. We want patients to focus less on purely seeking the lowest fees and focus more on the unique traits that make each provider different because we understand that patient needs can vary greatly. So how can we stand out?
All I really needed to know I learned in Mr. Winchell’s class
A few weeks ago, I went back to my hometown for my little brother’s graduation. While there, I ran into one of my favorite high school teachers, Mr. Winchell. I didn’t get a chance to talk to him or even say hi because he was so busy running the whole audio/visual set up of the entire graduation. Although he knew that what he was doing was important to graduation that day, I don’t really think he knew how important it would be to his students for years to come.