Early in my dental training, I spent a week in a rural village in India that permanently shaped my understanding of this profession. Our volunteer team examined and treated nearly 6,000 schoolchildren in just seven days. The numbers were overwhelming, but what stayed with me was not the statistics; it was the human moments. I remember a young… Read More »
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 »
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 »
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 »
“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 »
As dental practitioners, we want to ensure the patient’s oral health as well as overall wellbeing. However, the fact is that a large part of the patient’s wellbeing is determined by how invested they are in their own health. It is by working on patient engagement strategies that can offer lasting results for patients. Let’s take a look… Read More »