The Art of Asks: The Unspoken Rules of Asking for Favors

As a new dentist building a career, requests for recommendations may come up for residency applications or job applications. It is important to learn about the art of asks, as this will serve you well in the span of your professional career. When we ask for a favor, whether it is big or small, there are a few… Read More »

If I could go back in time, what would I tell my dental school self about what to expect after graduation?

Let me start by giving a little background on my dental school experience. My father was diagnosed with stage IV renal cell carcinoma two months into me starting dental school at Tufts University School of Dental Medicine.  He was initially given four months to live, but fortunately he lived about two-and-one-half years more before he passed away three… Read More »

New Dentist Now debuts new look

The U.S. Coast Guard is celebrating its 232nd birthday on Aug. 4, and in honor of the milestone, the ADA’s New Dentist Now blog has undergone a makeover. OK. The two have nothing to do with one another. But it is true that New Dentist Now has a fresh new look. Brought to you by the ADA’s New… Read More »

‘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 »

New dentists share their experiences practicing in a rural community

Kristen Sciolino, D.M.D., is an owner-dentist in Lincoln, Maine — population 4,853. As a dentist in a small, rural community, Dr. Sciolino said her family wouldn’t have it any other way. She is just one of many new dentists who have chosen to practice in a rural setting, whether it be in public health or at a private practice… 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 »