The transition from dental school to private practice is one of the most rewarding phases of a dental career. Dental school provides a strong clinical foundation, discipline and an evidence-based approach to care. Entering private practice builds on that foundation by offering new perspectives that deepen clinical judgment, communication skills and professional confidence. As I began working outside… Read More »
I hear it all the time: “Where do you find the time to be so involved in organized dentistry as a new dentist?” My response: “I am not alone!” I am the chair this year of the ADA New Dentist Committee, and we are a group of 17 dentists, 10 years out of dental school or less, who… Read More »
Members of the graduating class of 2025 recently put a bow on their academic careers with the culmination of their dental degrees. While this time may have been chaotic as requirements were fulfilled and exams were completed, it was important to remain organized, a necessity that continues with graduates’ next step: hunting for a job. I remember when… Read More »
Graduating from dental school feels like a big finish, but as new dentists, we soon realize it’s really just the starting line for everything we still have to learn. Transitioning from student dentist to doctor is exciting, but it can also feel overwhelming. Suddenly, every decision is yours, every case matters and the learning curve feels steeper than… Read More »
Kimiko Agari, D.D.S., M.D., and Kristi Agari, D.M.D., M.D., are sisters who received training in the same oral and maxillofacial surgery program. I interviewed both Drs. Agari to understand their journeys into a surgical career. Dr. Hung: It’s rare to see sisters who pursued a career in oral and maxillofacial surgery together and in the same residency program.… Read More »
As new dentists, we can all remember that gut-wrenching moment when we received an email from our loan servicer warning us that our payments would be due soon. Looking back at our time as dental students, we spent years learning the intricacies of prepping the most ideal class II restoration, administering anesthetic and memorizing mnemonics in order to… Read More »