So I am supposed to be doing an essay on the assessment of Vertical Dimension of Occlusion (don’t ask =p) but I have two residency interviews tomorrow and my mind just can’t focus. So I figured I might as well blog. Yes I haven’t blogged since April and man there have been so many changes.
Being in my final year of school there have been many questions as to what people are doing after graduation and constant discussion has led to many nights of reflection of knee to floor prayer. As I look back at the last four years I realize how God has been shaping and continually moulding me. The areas can be divided into a couple main categories.
1) Dentistry
Yes! Almost done and I look back and it’s a time of bitter sweetness. I entered the profession not knowing much about what it entailed. And honestly when the first talk you receive is about the high divorce and suicide rates, the necessity of prenups I was highly doubtful about where I was. But again in retrospect God has changed my view and really helped me understand daily why He placed me in such a field.
For one, the people who I work with are dear to my heart. Together we have endured 4 years of non-stop stress, non stop work, doubts about clinical abilities, encouragement from small successes. I have been very blessed to have a group of classmates but also future colleagues who I know I can count on. Marjorie and Zainey were just here and we were talking about despite the fact that we will be in all different cities after graduation we are going to have annual reunions at dental “conferences” (in warm places of course =p).
Today is also swat’s birthday, a dear friend that has encouraged me when I doubted myself. I also can’t help thinking about Yanger and Nosh, filling for me and going the extra mile when I couldn’t be at school. Werb, my girl time, comfort food buddy always a listening ear. Prisc and Andy, patiently listening to me through my ups and downs. Mamta, Sons, MG, Zain, Nosh, swat my second cup buddies who helped made 3rd year liveable. Jenny and Yang a couple who always bring a smile to my face. my cooking buddy and eating buddy Steph. Chinese lessons with Eds and Cheng.
We have been talking and reading a lot about community at church, and I can’t help but be reminded that in my darkest and loneliest times of my life, it was the daily faces and smiles in the four walls of dentistry that helped me through.
We have also progressed from note taking machines, to drilling robots to actually thinking and capable clinicians. My sisters and non-dental friends always remark that when dentists or dental students gather, dental talk is bound to arise. Partly it may be due to the inherent geekiness is a perquisite in the dental student selection, but most of it is the genuine interest of sharing how different challenging cases are approached. Dentistry is actually an art as much as it is a science, and with each case, there are numerous methods to solve, with many being equally viable and biologically safe methods. Hence dentistry is a constant changing and creative field. So my dental education doesn’t end with the receipt of the DDS diploma but continuing ed courses (yes in warm places or on cruises =p) are things that I am actually looking forward to.
Another thing that I have been pondering in the last two years is the role of our profession in the community. I think most dentists other than occasional interaction with colleagues, work as lone rangers within the confines of the dental office. And the crazy schedules, management of office barely leave enough time for meals never mind involvement in the community. And that is clearly reflected in our student body as well I have been in the faculty for 4 years community involvement is almost nil. Sad isn’t it… but it doesn’t have to be that way, there are actually many caring hearts, but they just don’t where to start. Guess that is where I see my role in my last year, helping colleagues realize involvement in the community can be an integral part of their community. From donations to volunteering of their dental skills, hopefully along with a team from other years, can get the ball rolling and continue it rolling.
K time to sleep.. interview tmr… more to update on this and the other topics.
2) family and relationships
3) church – community
Being in my final year of school there have been many questions as to what people are doing after graduation and constant discussion has led to many nights of reflection of knee to floor prayer. As I look back at the last four years I realize how God has been shaping and continually moulding me. The areas can be divided into a couple main categories.
1) Dentistry
Yes! Almost done and I look back and it’s a time of bitter sweetness. I entered the profession not knowing much about what it entailed. And honestly when the first talk you receive is about the high divorce and suicide rates, the necessity of prenups I was highly doubtful about where I was. But again in retrospect God has changed my view and really helped me understand daily why He placed me in such a field.
For one, the people who I work with are dear to my heart. Together we have endured 4 years of non-stop stress, non stop work, doubts about clinical abilities, encouragement from small successes. I have been very blessed to have a group of classmates but also future colleagues who I know I can count on. Marjorie and Zainey were just here and we were talking about despite the fact that we will be in all different cities after graduation we are going to have annual reunions at dental “conferences” (in warm places of course =p).
Today is also swat’s birthday, a dear friend that has encouraged me when I doubted myself. I also can’t help thinking about Yanger and Nosh, filling for me and going the extra mile when I couldn’t be at school. Werb, my girl time, comfort food buddy always a listening ear. Prisc and Andy, patiently listening to me through my ups and downs. Mamta, Sons, MG, Zain, Nosh, swat my second cup buddies who helped made 3rd year liveable. Jenny and Yang a couple who always bring a smile to my face. my cooking buddy and eating buddy Steph. Chinese lessons with Eds and Cheng.
We have been talking and reading a lot about community at church, and I can’t help but be reminded that in my darkest and loneliest times of my life, it was the daily faces and smiles in the four walls of dentistry that helped me through.
We have also progressed from note taking machines, to drilling robots to actually thinking and capable clinicians. My sisters and non-dental friends always remark that when dentists or dental students gather, dental talk is bound to arise. Partly it may be due to the inherent geekiness is a perquisite in the dental student selection, but most of it is the genuine interest of sharing how different challenging cases are approached. Dentistry is actually an art as much as it is a science, and with each case, there are numerous methods to solve, with many being equally viable and biologically safe methods. Hence dentistry is a constant changing and creative field. So my dental education doesn’t end with the receipt of the DDS diploma but continuing ed courses (yes in warm places or on cruises =p) are things that I am actually looking forward to.
Another thing that I have been pondering in the last two years is the role of our profession in the community. I think most dentists other than occasional interaction with colleagues, work as lone rangers within the confines of the dental office. And the crazy schedules, management of office barely leave enough time for meals never mind involvement in the community. And that is clearly reflected in our student body as well I have been in the faculty for 4 years community involvement is almost nil. Sad isn’t it… but it doesn’t have to be that way, there are actually many caring hearts, but they just don’t where to start. Guess that is where I see my role in my last year, helping colleagues realize involvement in the community can be an integral part of their community. From donations to volunteering of their dental skills, hopefully along with a team from other years, can get the ball rolling and continue it rolling.
K time to sleep.. interview tmr… more to update on this and the other topics.
2) family and relationships
3) church – community
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