Wondering if anyone else has gone through this situation and how they were able to cope with it. I am on medication, regularly attend therapy, and sticking to positive habits and routines, but find the daily mental battles much more exhausting than the rigors of the curriculum. I am doing very well academically, but frequently question if the long term stress of the career will be plausible for me to handle. Any anecdotes, experiences, or advice would be greatly appreciated

I’m currently a D3, after graduation I am planning to work as a general dentist for a few years to pay off some student debt before applying to a residency program. However, I’ve heard that many students go directly from dental school into residency.

Would taking time to work in private practice reduce my chances of getting matched into a residency later? Do programs prefer fresh graduates, or would real-world experience strengthen my application? I’d love to hear from anyone who took either path!

I mainly have trouble reducing the lingual wall and ML/DL interproximally because I cannot get a good view. Please share some tips! And I am right handed.

Hey everyone, I’m a tall dentist (6’4” for reference) and I’m on the hunt for scrubs that actually fit well. I currently wear Figs, but I’m having a few issues:

1. Shirt length: The shirts are either too short to tuck in properly or ride up too high, which is annoying when I’m bending or moving around.

2. Pants: The knee area bends weirdly, causing the pants to sag and sit lower than they should.

3. Waistband: No matter how tight I make the drawstring, it always seems to loosen up throughout the day, which is super frustrating.

I love the look and feel of Figs, but the fit just isn’t working for me. Does anyone have recommendations for scrub brands that cater to taller folks?

Hi, I wanted to reach out to any current NHSC scholars to ask some questions. Thank you!

Hello everyone,

I’m a dental student from Germany, currently in my 4th year of study. I’ll be traveling to the U.S. for a holiday in March and would love to know if it’s possible to visit your dental school for a day (or maybe 2?). Like shadowing/observing a student during his/her patient treatments? :)

As you guys suggested, I’ve already reached out to a few professors via email. One responded and asked when I’d be available for an interview but then stopped replying after I sent my availability (last mail was 8 days ago). Any tips for me? :(

I am very interested in gaining insight into how dental students and practitioners in the U.S. approach both patient care and clinical education. It would be an invaluable experience to observe your daily activities, including lectures, student interactions, and patient treatments.

I’ll be visiting Seattle, San Francisco, and Los Angeles during my trip. If a letter or document from my university is needed, I can ask my lecturer to provide one.

Thank you so much for your help in advance!

Hello! I am looking into OMFS and have been studying for the CBSE. I've been doing Pathoma, Anking, Sketchy Pharm/Micro, First Aid, Bootcamp and now I need to implement UWorld. I plan on taking it in August, and I luckily have a 6 month free period to cram. I was wondering how did others take notes for this huge exam and how you did UWorld. Should I wait till I get through more content before starting UWorld or should I go in cold and learn the content as I go? And also any advice on how I would take notes from UWorld if I were to do the latter method? I am still trying to figure out the best way to study for this. I've been trying First Aid annotations, Anki, Google Docs, etc. I feel that a lot of my day is taken up by Anki reviews at the moment, and I felt that taking notes for Bootcamp felt useless as I don't think I'd look back on it that much. Any advice, tips, tricks are very much appreciated!

D1 here struggling with this prep. Mainly with keeping the occlusal anatomy during reduction (turns out relatively flat) and with reducing the lingual wall and ML/DL interproximally. I find myself constantly moving the typodont in various directions and still cant figure out the best way to position myself. I am right handed.

Hi! I got accepted to dental school and I’m starting this fall. I have some credit card debt and wanted to know how would it work with the loans while in school and if I’m able to use the loans to pay that credit card debt and I will not be able to continue working.

Hope you can help! Thank you

So subjective I know haha, but I’d love to hear how many hours a day you guys study for. My university recommends 35-40 hours per week (or ~10 hours per subject for each week) including in-class hours. Does this sound like a good goal to have? Also if you have any general advice about study habits or dental school, I’d love to hear it (:

Please ask all of your questions regarding specific schools and the experiences of current students here. If you're looking for opinions on which school to choose (USC vs NYU vs etc), this is the place.

Any other posts about current student experiences from prospective students or crowdsourcing which school to go to will be removed.

I am a final year dental student due to start my finals in 2 weeks and I feel after 2 years of clinical work I may not be cut out for this field.

In the country I study in, we study dentistry as a 5 year undergraduate program with 3 years being preclinical and 2 years clinical. I did quite well in my preclinical years and I would say I quite enjoyed what we learnt and was optimistic about having a career in dentistry but I started to have a difficult time during my clinical years. We first started out in the phantom head lab learning how to do fillings and root canals and in the prosthetics lab learning to bend orthodontic wires for removable appliances and this was seriously anxiety inducing for me, the reasons being we would practice using extracted teeth which we had to look for ourselves from different clinics and our tutor was very strict and would make you redo a prep for the smallest mistake but sometimes we wouldn't have the teeth needed to do that so you'd end up not meeting your requirements for the lab which was very stressful cause I was not used to not my work and my grades not being in my direct control.

After we finished with labs, we were required to get our own patients in all clinics apart from surgery but that is a whole job in itself and for cons\resto clinic the walk in patients we had needed endo which we werent trained to do yet. So coupled with the crippling anxiety it led to very little clinical exposure in my fourth year. I began my fifth year very ready to be in the clinic and improve my clinical skills, I had really bad initial clinical experiences, difficult patients and struggled with finding patients to see.

I feel like I've grown a lot since then but still I tend to get a lot of negative feedback from my tutors about being very slow and not being at the level of competency they would expect from me at this stage despite me giving it my very best and always showing up. I have started to believe these negative things they tell me about myself and its led me to be quite depressed and suicidal because I feel like if I am doing my best and im told that at my best im a danger to patients, it would be best not to do this at all. Outside of the negative feedback, I don't think enjoy this at all, I don't find it challenging in an exciting way and ive grown to dislike even the few things I enjoyed about clinical work like interacting with patients and I live every day dreading going to the clinic the next day.

It feels as though I am a slower learner when it comes to clinical years than my Peers and im in quite an unfriendly environment for that as im learning in an extremely resource limited setting and so you have to be very aggressive and everything is very cut throat. A lot of our time is spent looking for patients and dealing with systemic problems which greatly takes away energy that I could be utilizing to improve my clinical skills. I have not met a lot of my clinical requirements and I have my exams soon so I see myself being held back a year which sucks but at this point I just want to get my degree and explore other career options because I feel like I cannot compete with my peers.

Any advice

My title is confusing—for clarification, I’m interested in a residency but only at one specific school. Is it possible to apply to only one school and, if all goes well, match there? Aside from all the recommendations to not do this—I’m just curious, can it/has it been done?

This is a lax post but I have been wondering whether Fabletics were able to be worn in most clinical settings, and if they are worth it to purchase. I begin pre-dental in August so I have been perusing, and these appear to be priced well and look comfortable. Thanks in advance.

I'm a very introvert person and don't have much friends in general but happy and getting along in life.

About to enter a dental school soon and wonder if there is anyone here can give advice surviving in dental school as a introverted personnel.

I don't mind dealing with customers/patients as I love working in restaurants. Making connections with friends and professors are prob the worst enemy for me.

Hi all. Private practice OMS here. Graduated a touch of time ago.

I got admitted to dental school off the waitlist on a Friday and started on Monday. From day one, it felt like drinking from a fire hydrant. The first test I ever failed? Removable prosth. I also failed my first dental boards—back when we had live patients—because mine literally got up and walked out (long story on why he was even my patient).

Fast-forward: I’m now a state board regulator and serve on the very board that once gave me that failing grade. And when we abolished live patient exams, I got to cast my vote. I also work with the ADA on wellness issues.

My career has been a series of failures and comebacks. But I kept showing up. I worked hard. I focused on learning—because, in the end, it’s about caring for patients.

If you’re struggling, keep going. Failure isn’t the end of the story. And if you need a reminder to take care of yourself along the way, the ADA has some great wellness resources: ADA Wellness Resources.

Be well.

M2 medical student here interested in OMFS. I am wondering if one were to go to dental school after getting their MD to pursue this route, would the schools allow you to enter an “expedited” curriculum, meaning you finish in less than 4 years since you already have much of the pre clinical knowledge?

I know this is premature asking before clinical rotations but I’m just feeling the waters and curious what options are out there. ENT and plastics is another option

I was recently accepted to dental school and I originally felt ecstatic. However, I’m questioning my decision now because I don’t feel that I’m smart enough to do 4 additional years of school. I never did amazing in my undergrad science courses (lots of B/B-) and often struggle with my mental health in the process. I love the career of a dentist, but the schooling is rather intimidating when people mention taking double the courses each semester and comparing it to a fire hose. I guess I’m dealing with imposter syndrome as I’ve always been a bit slower to learn things (along with ADHD not helping). I wanted to know of “success stories” of people currently in school who didn’t feel smart enough or ways that people have kept their mental health in check. Is there anything you did that allowed you to succeed?

TLDR: How do I know I’m able to succeed in school without further sacrificing my mental health?

Does anyone have a Master Residency Programs Data Spreadsheet? One that includes features, stipend, location, stats.

Hello all, I recently performed pulpectomy for a patient and my instructor advised me to soak cotton pellet in sodium hypochlorite before placing in the pulp chamber and temporizing. I wasn’t able to follow up with him on the reason to soak in sodium hypochlorite. In my head placing something wet in the pulp chamber even if it’s sodium hypochlorite and then sealing it was just weird. What may be the reason to soak it?

TIA

I can keep my bur perpendicular when doing bench top preps but once it’s in the mouth, it throws me off!

Is 3050 ti 4G VRAM enough for CBCT or i need something better

Got the news today that an immediate family member passed today (grandparent). Was wondering what the protocol would be to approach this. This couldn't have happened at a worse time as I outlined in my previous post my difficulties with this last year. My parents called me telling me not to take time off clinic as they know I'm behind and they didn't want to make things worse for me but it feels...weird not to be there for my family. The funeral is in a foreign country so I doubt I would be able to make it anyway. I guess I'm trying to ask how to deal with this when I'm already vulnerable and I wanted to ask how others dealt with grief in school.

I feel like asking to take time off to process something like this is kind of ridiculous because it's not like my dad, mom, or siblings died. And it'd be unfair for my patients too. Idk, do you guys have any stories about dealing with grief in these difficult times?

Hi! I’m starting dental school this summer and would like the plan a trip before I start if possible.

The dentist I currently assist for has told me his one regret is not doing a big trip before starting because he was unable to travel during school. And then after school life got too crazy for him with loan payment starting and everything that he didn’t travel for a long period of time.

I was wondering if any of you traveled before starting and where you’d recommend. He recommended doing something big even if it feels like a lot of money for me right now. But I’m having a hard time justifying spending thousands of dollars when I’ve been working so hard this year to save up what I do have. So if anyone went somewhere nice but relatively more affordable than somewhere like Europe please let me know! At the end of the day I know it’s just a drop in the bucket but I don’t want to be totally broke going into school lol

A warm welcome to all incoming dental students. Congratulations on your acceptance. I'm sure you all have many questions and we'll do our best to aggregate them here. I'm going to make this a weekly thread every Monday.

From what I can gather, 5 years is by far the most common length of dental school in the world, no matter where you go. I know there are some places that do 6 years, so I was wondering if anybody is aware of a 4 year course anywhere, if so how would it work?

Hello, everyone, I am really struggling to understand topics like cementation and RPDs. I am so sorry for the many questions, but I don't have anyone I can ask. The professors would only tolerate 1-2 questions, I don't want to push their limit.

If you could answer some or all of my questions, if you have time, I would be really, really grateful.

Thank you in advance.

Regarding cementation

1. If RMGIC and GIC are also adhesive, just weaker than resin cement, can we use a bonding agent as well for them to be more adhesive**?** Can we do the same for every cement, like zinc phosphate, polycarboxylate as well**?** To increase bond strength. Or does the dentin bonding agent only work for resin cements (and RMGIC)?
2. If resin cements are so strong, why can't we use them to cement composite restorations for class 1, class 2, class 3 etc cavities? (is it because the strength is un-needed?)
3. My professor said that "certain self-adhesive and self-etch resin cements do not require any acid etching or application of bonding agents. However, some others who are self-adhesive the manufacturers advise you that if your preparation is retentive then you can go about without any etching or bonding agent, but if the preparation is not so retentive to have stronger bond strength you should acid etch and bond beforehand.**" In that case, if your going to etch-primer-bond to increase the strength of a self adhesive resin cement, why not just go with conventional resin cement (stronger)? But my lecture also mentioned that "applying a bonding agent could weaken the chemical interaction b/w the resin cement and tooth." (I assume the brand will depend on if you can use bond with the self adhesive, self etch resin cement**?**
4. Etch and rinse and self etch terms only apply to dentin bonding agents, correct? So when we refer to resin cements as; "self etch resin cement",  we referring to the resin cement itself (and that it can etch itself without acid etch), not the dentin bonding technique/agent? Assuming this is correct, this means that: if we use a self etch/self adhesive resin cement, and choose to use a bonding agent, we could use any DBA technique (etch and rinse included)?

Regarding removable prosthetics

5. How can we take the impression for an immediate denture if the teeth are mobile/broken down (the guidelines say not to, and we don't have digital scanners in the clinic)? (maybe we could use light body to splint them in place?)

6*.*Regarding acrylic RPDs; can you please list the steps. (I've summarized the steps from my guidelines for a permanent (metal) RPD and immediate RPD. Since there is no protocol for a provisional acrylic RPD, I assume it is the same steps as the immediate?

https://preview.redd.it/qj9mkp1v2bfe1.png?width=1396&format=png&auto=webp&s=8a229dcd3308ca4c954b1490c7cb55d15f5b6b59

• Assuming the steps for an immediate denture are the same as for a normal acrylic RPD*: Why have I seen others making occlusal rims and base plates on their primary casts for an acrylic denture, instead of building custom trays? This is incorrect right? We should only build record bases and occlusal rims FIRST for a permanent RPD, so we set it up on an articulator and design where the clasps, rests etc will go without causing occlusal interferences?*

Regarding metal framework for permanent RPDs

8. My lecture says: If the metal framework fits on first working cast but not the second

Explanation: first working impression was incorrect (or not handled correctly). Solution: you have to remake the framework.

But the framework**, if a second working cast was made** (b/c during the try in of the metal framework, adjustments had to be made and then it was decided to just repeat the secondary impression b/c it wouldn't fit in the mouth, occlusal interferences etc), then the new framework shouldn't fit on the first at all? It should fit on the second cast, because it was built on the second cast. What does the first impression (and first working cast ) have to do with it?

9. Almost the same thing but backwards. My lecture says: Framework fits on second working cast but not the first. Explanation: you got the working casts mixed up.

But the framework should have a better fit on the second working cast. It shouldn't fit on the first working cast anymore. There is no issue here?

10. My lecture says we need to block out undercuts while surveying, so we can duplicate the cast and send it to the lab for them to build the framework.

a. Am I correct in thinking that we need to block out undercuts in the second impression, not the first?

- b/c the first impression will not have any of our tooth preparations done on it. It occurs before we make our rest seats, etc in the mouth. So it is not accurate.

- But if this is right, why not just have the lab block it out. If we dental students have to do it, then we must send the secondary impression to the lab, have them build the secondary cast, then send it back to us to block out, just to send it back to them. Can't the lab just block it out?

11. My lecture says the goal of a Preliminary JRR: mount primary casts on articulator, before Tx plan finalized. Why? To study occlusion for diagnosis and Tx planning, nsure there is adequate space of denture teeth and other components of RPD, Set up artificial teeth for trial insertion 

But the tooth set up for trial insertion doesn't occur until after the secondary impression is done. What??

12. One of the reasons we use guide-planes is to limit the path of withdrawal/insertion.

https://preview.redd.it/doscatl86bfe1.png?width=372&format=png&auto=webp&s=60106469613e0a30689dd754d641ca1066c26b38

My lecture also says: sometimes the path of insertion coincides with the path of displacement (90 degrees to the occlusal plane).

But if insertion/withdrawal path = displacement path, how we supposed to remove/insert the denture at all?

(the denture is built to be retentive and resist displacement, meaning it will resist withdrawal. i suppose we can force it, but won't it damage the teeth?)

13 For the definitive JRR, it says the procedure is the same as preliminary JRR, except the wax rims are attached to the framework instead. My question is: what if we never needed wax rims during preliminary JRR, do we need them now

14. My lecture says: if there isn't a close fit of the framework to the cast in areas where there should be (ex: guide planes and reciprocal arms, rests and rest seats, etc), then we need to try to adjust.

But how? I thought we just used carbide burs to adjust the framework, I wasn't aware we could bend it to get it to fit closer?

15. These are my notes from my lecture:

https://preview.redd.it/nsgbx40b8bfe1.png?width=1730&format=png&auto=webp&s=7e0034b74eecf407b34ee72d85e1811682618b30

And this is what I found on pocket dentistry which explained it a lot better

https://preview.redd.it/hf82x25r8bfe1.png?width=1167&format=png&auto=webp&s=916f5467ecd1bca3511833bdacc5cf250e2b111a

Regarding what my lecture said then, my question is:

If the retentive arm is on 16, then the reciprocal arm of that same tooth is not the palatal side of 16, but is in fact the palatal side of 26. Is this correct?

Because the only thing providing reciprocation (pushing back against, to my left) as the retentive arm of 16 undergoes withdrawal (lateral force to my right) is on the opposite side of the arch. Is this correct?

16. My very last question is: when we talk about light cure cements for crowns. Let's say GIC. How in the world do we get it to set through polymerization if we're using a metal crown. The light won't pass through?

For anyone who read all the way through, and is considering answering some of my questions, thank you so much.