Category Archives: Guest Blogger

‘Get out there and live’: Lessons from dental school and early career

Time, our most valuable commodity — along with our good health, of course. It’s hard to believe how many years have passed since my last first day of school: the day I started my fourth year of dental school. My D3 and D4 years seemed like they would never end, and I distinctly remember doing my clinic orientation as a… Read More »

Pursuits of happiness: Do you need a rewrite?

“Dr. Vaughn, I wanted to ask you . . . do you enjoy dentistry?” “Interesting,” I thought. “What a simple, straightforward yet completely complicated and intricately loaded question I have just been asked by this bright-eyed, good-intentioned college student.” “Y-Yeah. . . I do.” I paused. I could feel the perspiration gathering on my forehead. Could he sense… Read More »

Why we started the YouTube channel ‘Between Two Teeth’

“Hi all. I’m Stephy Steph and this is Bobby and together we are…BETWEEN TWO TEETH!” This is a common intro to our not-so-common YouTube channel called “Between Two Teeth.” This channel has served a multitude of functions and continues to be a space/medium to unpack some of life’s toughest questions. My partner, co-creator and co-host is Dr. Robert… Read More »

The ethical dilemma of infectious disease disclosure for dentists

In July 1990, the Florida Department of Health reported a possible transmission of HIV from a dentist to five of his patients.1 Though it was unclear if actual transmission of the virus actually occurred, this incidence caused much controversy and worry within dental community.2,3 At the time, health care providers were to follow the CDC’s “Recommendations for Preventing… Read More »

Five strategies to prevent burnout as a dentist

Have you ever found yourself lacking the energy to do activities you once enjoyed, snapping at loved ones, or feeling a flood of dread when your alarm goes off on a work day? You may be experiencing signs of chronic stress, which when unmanaged, can lead to burnout. Research shows that burnout is on the rise for healthcare… Read More »

Still the new dentist

Each year in general dentistry has taught me something about myself and this profession. As I prepare to go into a yearlong special-care residency program in June, I am looking back on everything I have learned in the last four years as a general dentist. The first year of dentistry taught me about treatment planning…that I could no… Read More »