Whether you are on the road to embarking on your dental school journey or already immersed in the rollercoaster ride called “dental school,” one of the most valuable assets you can acquire to enjoy the process of this journey is multitasking.
18 songs for your summer playlist
With dental schools’ semesters coming to a close and most states beginning to slowly reopen, it is beginning to feel like summer across the United States. However, without vacations and with COVID-19 concerns, this summer looks a lot different. For many, it will mean more pool days and summer nights …
Bring your headphones: The impact of music on health
The proof of using music therapy to stimulate feelings of calmness lies in how I sat down to write this article. It was finals week, and I needed to focus so I put on John Mayer radio on Pandora and got to writing. Whether I am getting ready for a long day of seeing patients, a fun night out on the town or a coffee-filled morning of studying, I tune in to different music stations. Music can impact our mood.
Using music to manage dental anxiety
Every time I told someone that I wanted to be a dentist, the most common response I received was, “No offense, but I hate dentists.” But why do people fear the dentist? Dental anxiety is a very common problem that may cause patients to avoid making regular visits to the dentist. Patients with dental anxiety have been shown to have a higher risk of periodontal disease and subsequently, tooth loss from delayed treatment. Common symptoms of dental anxiety include loss of sleep before the appointment, nervousness, crying, nausea, trouble breathing or panic attacks. With this in mind, how can dentists help reduce that anxiety and stress for the sake of their patients’ well-being?
Using YouTube to help others
My family were immigrants from Canada. Our first family business was running a convenience store. Working in the store as a teenager motivated me to pursue a career that focused on serving people and improving their well-being. Most students who want to be a doctor, dentist, nurse, pharmacist, health care professional or any other professional go into their field wanting to do one main thing-help people. However, when we’re faced with that daunting educational debt, I’m certain most students who dreamed of providing selfless service to others become discouraged as to how to provide free service to their patients. There are ways to supplement salaries and paychecks to provide funds to help people. I explored social media venues that can help me do just that.