“What made you want to become a dentist?” It’s the question we all get asked. My path to a career in dentistry was a bit unusual but it was lovely and adventurous and full of life experience.
I grew up in a dental office. My mother, Dr. Linda Kay Nichols is a dentist, and while I loved spending time in her office when I was young, it never occurred to me that I would follow in her footsteps. My original passion was in the creative arts. I grew up doing ballet and jazz dance. I moved to Los Angeles and studied at Cal. State University Northridge. I graduated with a B.A. in Theatre Arts. Learn more about Alisha’s path to dental school…
I remember it perfectly, sitting down to fill out the application for the Dental Admissions Test and then… WHAT? I have to know which schools I want my scores sent to?! I knew this was something that I would have to figure out, but didn’t expect it to come so soon. I needed to have an idea of which schools I could see myself spending four years at, but how was I going to do this?
Recent scandal has unfortunately emerged out of a Canadian dental school, Dalhousie University Faculty of Dentistry, located in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Thirteen fourth-year male students were part of an online Facebook group entitled “Class of DDS 2015 Gentlemen.” Within the private group, misogynistic posts were allegedly made describing female classmates, “hate sex,” and the use of chloroform, among other degrading, misogynistic comments. Screenshots of the posts were brought to administrators’ attention on Dec. 8, 2014, and on Jan. 5, 2015 the 13 involved students were suspended from clinic. On Jan. 9, the university also announced that an external third-party task force would investigate the situation. The university, along with the female students affected, has decided to pursue a restorative justice process, which is more victim-centered and will give the affected students a say in working toward a resolution. What can we learn from this situation? 
Upon graduation, the average dental student faces countless obstacles such as deciding where to practice, paying down student debt and more. Establishing oneself as a dentist in a community is a tall order for most. Whether as a specialist or a general dentist, it is a necessity for new dentists to develop an action plan for establishing themselves in a community. To do so, you’ll need to focus on three critical steps: 1) identify a target group; 2) network with established dentists in the area; and 3) develop promotional products to raise one’s profile within the community…
I recall an encounter I had with a new patient of mine. She was a middle-aged woman who has not seen a dentist in a very long time. The visit started with a “Welcome to UCSF” message, a brief overview of the clinic operations, and the goal for today’s appointment. At UCSF, we are taught to sit face-to-face when using the computer instead of behind the patient to allow adequate eye contact. It also allows for a more collaborative platform when discussing treatment plan options. I apologized to the patient in advance if there are times when I am focused on editing my note or navigating my way through Axium. But this patient wanted more than just a discussion. Keep reading to find out what happened and weigh in on how you would have handled it…
You’re not Jim Halpert, and you don’t work at Dunder Mifflin Paper Co., but like him, you know you don’t see yourself retiring doing the same job you’re doing now. In fact, you know that you’re not even in an industry you want to retire in. You may like the people around you, you may like the paycheck, you may even like the job itself, but there’s an itch left unscratched. And, let’s face it, nobody wants an itch they can’t scratch.
