Dental students, do you actually enjoy dental school?

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@Incis0r: it is sad that you only see free99's comment as personal attack. There were quite a few lessons you could have learned from his response that you chose to ignore.

Free99 and I may not see eye-to-eye, but we have disengaged from argument. Stop trying to instigate a new one.

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People's frustration with dental school stems from a realization that they aren't as smart as they thought they were, in addition to crushed dreams, ie becoming an ortho/omfs is no longer possible. Many people choose dentistry without actually liking general dentistry because "they will become specialists", not realizing having good hand skills is essential, and/or thinking that "my dentist only works 2 days a week and has a big yacht and a hot wife!"

I think you're projecting lol. In my experience it's rare that students desire residency training.
 
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I think you're projecting lol. In my experience it's rare that students desire residency training.

No, I actually did very well in dental school and thoroughly enjoyed my dental school experience. My peers think I am delusional because I tell them and truly believe dental school was easy. Every student wants to be an orthodontist or an oral surgeon or a pediatric dentist. It is a defense mechanism when they realize it is out of reach to say that "I never wanted to specialize!" What sounds more realistic to you? 1) "I failed at my goal of becoming a specialist" 2)"I never wanted to specialize anyways"
 
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No, I actually did very well in dental school and thoroughly enjoyed my dental school experience. My peers think I am delusional because I tell them and truly believe dental school was easy. Every student wants to be an orthodontist or an oral surgeon or a pediatric dentist. It is a defense mechanism when they realize it is out of reach to say that "I never wanted to specialize!" What sounds more realistic to you? 1) "I failed at my goal of becoming a specialist" 2)"I never wanted to specialize anyways"

What would you say was central to your success in dental school?
 
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What would you say was central to your success in dental school?

Probably not trying to specialize. If your goal is to become a proficient general dentist you only need to study to a point of understanding as opposed to memorizing every possible fact that can be tested in order to guarantee a good grade.
 
I always knew I never wanted to specialize. I am happy with the lowest C I can get. I plan on making my money outside the field of dent.

However, there is this one person at my D school who I absolutely cannot stand and is a total back-stabbing cutthroat gunner and I know wants to do ortho. This person is a total slime-ball. Any suggestions for how to sabotage this person's grades?
 
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I always knew I never wanted to specialize. I am happy with the lowest C I can get. I plan on making my money outside the field of dent.

However, there is this one person at my D school who I absolutely cannot stand and is a total back-stabbing cutthroat gunner and I know wants to do ortho. This person is a total slime-ball. Any suggestions for how to sabotage this person's grades?

Or how about not being a piece of crap and sabotaging other people just because you don't like them?
 
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I always knew I never wanted to specialize. I am happy with the lowest C I can get. I plan on making my money outside the field of dent.

However, there is this one person at my D school who I absolutely cannot stand and is a total back-stabbing cutthroat gunner and I know wants to do ortho. This person is a total slime-ball. Any suggestions for how to sabotage this person's grades?

Bro....listen to me.....

No happiness comes from degrading other people....

if you think closely....everytime you insult someone or try to make them feel bad....or sabotage them....you feel a little sad inside....

Adopt a zen attitude.....you're in one of the best fields....you get to hold a drill everyday...man I can hardly wait for the day when I get to try out all the different handpieces and actually fix a cavity!!!!!!!

Listen to some amazing music every morning...be happy.....enjoy life....

Forget about the gunner....if he wants to be cutthroat let him....the stress will eventually catch up to him...

You do you.

On the other hand, if someone ever asks you for help (even if it's the gunner), give it to them if they ask nicely and respectfully...

Don't enter the profession making enemies left and right....you want to be known as the friendly, tempered dentist who doesn't act out of emotion, but out of reason...

P.S.- if you have $0.01 (+ shipping) to spare, buy the book: "Don't Sweat the Small Stuff....and it's all small stuff." I have a date with that book on the first Sunday of every month and it has made my life so much less stressful re. competing with students. I enjoy my life a ton and that's what it's all about.
 
This has to be an exaggeration...

OP, I'm not a dental student (yet) but I know plenty on a personal level. They are just like you and I. They're not stuck in the library 24/7. Yes dental school has more class-time. They tell me that it's like high school. Go in morning, come out in evening. Low to Medium level of homework (depending on your specialization dreams). Overall, they say not to sweat it.

Just wait until you start school and have 10 courses a quarters, exams every week, multiple preps/wax-ups/case-presentations to due. You need a good humbling to change that attitude, and you'll get it in dental school.
 
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Just wait until you start school and have 10 courses a quarters, exams every week, multiple preps/wax-ups/case-presentations to due. You need a good humbling to change that attitude, and you'll get it in dental school.

I'm not afraid of hard work. My high school frequently has people come back from college (including Ivies) and tell the teachers that college is so much easier than high school was. And indeed, I was more challenged by high school courses than I have been by my college courses.

I would wake up at 5:45am, go to school at 7, come back at 4pm, and work till 11/12. And no this is not because I was lazy or procrastinated. I legitimately had that much work taking on a full honors and AP schedule, being involved with tons of groups, etc.

I know the kind of effort it takes to succeed when you're being overwhelmed with work.

I consider myself to be good not at stress management, but at stress elimination by keeping the bigger picture in mind. I think mindset matters a lot. If you have a confident mindset that promotes the notion that you will inevitably graduate from dental school and will be able to complete all the tasks and do a good job, then it doesn't matter how much work is thrown at you. You can do it.

So while I appreciate your concern for me, don't worry about me too much.
 
I'm not afraid of hard work. My high school frequently has people come back from college (including Ivies) and tell the teachers that college is so much easier than high school was. And indeed, I was more challenged by high school courses than I have been by my college courses.

I would wake up at 5:45am, go to school at 7, come back at 4pm, and work till 11/12. And no this is not because I was lazy or procrastinated. I legitimately had that much work taking on a full honors and AP schedule, being involved with tons of groups, etc.

I know the kind of effort it takes to succeed when you're being overwhelmed with work.

I consider myself to be good not at stress management, but at stress elimination by keeping the bigger picture in mind. I think mindset matters a lot. If you have a confident mindset that promotes the notion that you will inevitably graduate from dental school and will be able to complete all the tasks and do a good job, then it doesn't matter how much work is thrown at you. You can do it.

So while I appreciate your concern for me, don't worry about me too much.
I remember when I thought dental school wouldn't be overwhelming... Then came the first week.
 
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I remember when I thought dental school wouldn't be overwhelming... Then came the first week.

Yeah, but then you adjusted to it. As did 99% (see previous page for citation) of dental students.

It's like when you're in a plane and going down the runway to take off- it's not the fast pace/velocity (analogous to dental school workload) that is difficult, it's the acceleration of the plane (or sudden increase in classes and assignments).

But once you stop accelerating and reach a constant velocity, things settle down and you even forget that you're flying, except for turbulence (exams/practicals/etc.).
 
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Yeah, but then you adjusted to it. As did 99% (see previous page for citation) of dental students.

It's like when you're in a plane and going down the runway to take off- it's not the fast pace/velocity (analogous to dental school workload) that is difficult, it's the acceleration of the plane (or sudden increase in classes and assignments).

But once you stop accelerating and reach a constant velocity, things settle down and you even forget that you're flying, except for turbulence (exams/practicals/etc.).
Not true at all. Still not adjusted. When you're a dental student you can share your experiences haha
 
Not true at all. Still not adjusted. When you're a dental student you can share your experiences haha
What year you in?

Same for me though! Lol!

@Incis0r , what you fail to realize is that dental school doesn't really stay stagnant. I do agree that it will get easier to adjust overtime, but the adjustments are constantly happening. There isn't really a period of settling down, it's mostly just turbulence vs more turbulence/storm
 
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what you fail to realize is that dental school doesn't really stay stagnant. I do agree that it will get easier to adjust overtime, but the adjustments are constantly happening. There isn't really a period of settling down, it's mostly just turbulence vs more turbulence/storm

Hmm okay- I yield to your knowledge/experience since you are a dental student. So tell me then, how do you cope with the regular changes?
 
Hmm okay- I yield to your knowledge/experience since you are a dental student. So tell me then, how do you cope with the regular changes?
I just take one day at a time, looking too far ahead can really make it seem insurmountable. Not sure if others share my sentiments.
My feelings exactly.

If you look too far ahead you feel insanely ******ed to be honest. You ask yourself how you're ever going to learn all this.

Before even getting into dental school, I spoke with friends in dental school and friends who are dentists. They all told me the same thing. Dental school is about time management and taking things one step at a time. As long as you are getting things done, you're doing fine. :p But if you start trying to look at the future in dental school, you're going to feel overwhelmed quickly.

Think of it like this, going back to your plane analogy : imagine constantly having a thunderstorm on your radar. What do you do? You start working towards going around that thunderstorm, trying to find ways to stay alive and hope for the best.

Edit: and to add, almost always your plane will get out of that storm still flying. Bruised, sure, but flying (going back to that 99% that's been quoted over and over)
 
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Yeah, but then you adjusted to it. As did 99% (see previous page for citation) of dental students.

It's like when you're in a plane and going down the runway to take off- it's not the fast pace/velocity (analogous to dental school workload) that is difficult, it's the acceleration of the plane (or sudden increase in classes and assignments).

But once you stop accelerating and reach a constant velocity, things settle down and you even forget that you're flying, except for turbulence (exams/practicals/etc.).

Incis0r, I generally agree with you in that if you are able to work really hard and don't have trouble sacrificing the vast majority of your free time and fun for a few years then yes Dental School is of course difficult but not as awful as people make it out to be. I think people in this thread are more reacting to your attitude then your opinion. The way in which you write and respond to people's posts can be perceived as condescending and passive aggressive.
 
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Incis0r, I generally agree with you in that if you are able to work really hard and don't have trouble sacrificing the vast majority of your free time and fun for a few years then yes Dental School is of course difficult but not as awful as people make it out to be. I think people in this thread are more reacting to your attitude then your opinion. The way in which you write and respond to people's posts can be perceived as condescending and passive aggressive.
I dont think anyone made it out to be suicidally awful! But its just damn hard, so I cant tell Incisor, a predent, that you're going to get used to it because its constantly more and constantly new! If theres something you get used to, Id say its the constant adaptation
 
Think of it like this, going back to your plane analogy : imagine constantly having a thunderstorm on your radar. What do you do? You start working towards going around that thunderstorm, trying to find ways to stay alive and hope for the best.

Edit: and to add, almost always your plane will get out of that storm still flying. Bruised, sure, but flying (going back to that 99% that's been quoted over and over)

I see what you're saying- Basically, go by the day, and before you know it, you'll get the degree. Thanks!
 
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+1. I'm so drained by the end of the day, idk how to manage it right now. If you have any tips that have been recently acquired, let me know.
Tell me about it. Biochem got out at 5 and I'm taking a break to chill with wifey and kidren. Once they go to bed, I'm going back over to finish my wax up of 8 and 24.
 
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No, I actually did very well in dental school and thoroughly enjoyed my dental school experience. My peers think I am delusional because I tell them and truly believe dental school was easy. Every student wants to be an orthodontist or an oral surgeon or a pediatric dentist. It is a defense mechanism when they realize it is out of reach to say that "I never wanted to specialize!" What sounds more realistic to you? 1) "I failed at my goal of becoming a specialist" 2)"I never wanted to specialize anyways"

You're pretty much proving my point lol.
 
I'm not afraid of hard work. My high school frequently has people come back from college (including Ivies) and tell the teachers that college is so much easier than high school was. And indeed, I was more challenged by high school courses than I have been by my college courses.

I would wake up at 5:45am, go to school at 7, come back at 4pm, and work till 11/12. And no this is not because I was lazy or procrastinated. I legitimately had that much work taking on a full honors and AP schedule, being involved with tons of groups, etc.

I know the kind of effort it takes to succeed when you're being overwhelmed with work.

I consider myself to be good not at stress management, but at stress elimination by keeping the bigger picture in mind. I think mindset matters a lot. If you have a confident mindset that promotes the notion that you will inevitably graduate from dental school and will be able to complete all the tasks and do a good job, then it doesn't matter how much work is thrown at you. You can do it.

So while I appreciate your concern for me, don't worry about me too much.

Lol don't flatter yourself buddy. I don't care about an anonymous person that thinks they know it all.
 
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Tell me about it. Biochem got out at 5 and I'm taking a break to chill with wifey and kidren. Once they go to bed, I'm going back over to finish my wax up of 8 and 24.
When do u study all the science courses??? Gah.
 
There is no comparison between the rigor of dental school and undergrad - dental school is much much harder. I do enjoy some aspects of dental school, but overall (at least for the first 2 years), it's very stressful because they bombard you with so much information. It doesn't make a difference if the content isn't difficult or not, the fact of the matter is you are given little time to absorb it in the first place. If you just want to get the degree and not worry about grades, sure it will not be bad. However, maintaining a perfect GPA definitely takes 10x the work.
 
I don't even know why the comparison is being made. In college, I was only in class maybe 3 hours every MWF (even less honestly since I hardly went). Right now I am in class almost 8 hours a day.
 
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The comparison is being made because people who have not yet been through it think they know everything. ;)

Let me tell you the day I'm about to have. I have a seminar at 7. I will then be in clinic until noon, after which I will have a lecture at 1, after which I will be in clinic and class until 8.

If you don't think I'm going to come home from that absolutely exhausted and wanting nothing more than to crawl into bed for twelve hours, you're very wrong.
 
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Truthfully, dental school has been more fun than undergrad and high school. My school is pass/fail so that reduces so much stress! I'm only 2nd year though. I heard once clinic comes around, life starts to suck.

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Truthfully, dental school has been more fun than undergrad and high school. My school is pass/fail so that reduces so much stress! I'm only 2nd year though. I heard once clinic comes around, life starts to suck.

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Which school? And is there anything else other than P/F that makes it awesome?
 
Which school? And is there anything else other than P/F that makes it awesome?
Ucsf. Living in the city is nice, lots of things happening. Classmates and upperclassmen are generally helpful.

Rent is ridiculous though. Don't plan on staying here after I graduate.

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Ucsf. Living in the city is nice, lots of things happening. Classmates and upperclassmen are generally helpful.

Rent is ridiculous though. Don't plan on staying here after I graduate.

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Ahh...UC-Stress Free....on my list now....thanks for sharing...
When you say ridiculous, can you give a range? Example:
OK: <$1000/month
Meh: $1001-$1300/month
Expensive: $1301-1900/month
Dafuq?: $1901+/month

Can you take public transport from a cheaper area right to the school?
 
Ahh...UC-Stress Free....on my list now....thanks for sharing...
When you say ridiculous, can you give a range? Example:
OK: <$1000/month
Meh: $1001-$1300/month
Expensive: $1301-1900/month
Dafuq?: $1901+/month

Can you take public transport from a cheaper area right to the school?
Rent ranges from $1000(very cheap) to $2000. I'd say $1400 is the average for one bedroom, in a shared house. You can take the Muni, bus or Bart for public transit. Muni is most convenient. There's also Ucsf shuttle if you live in mission bay.

Can't complain that much about the rent since it's public school tuition so you're saving more money than privates by default.

Are you CA resident?

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Had one nice summer vacation (1m) doing nothing. A good number of my classmates still feel burnt out from 1st year. If D school is not tiring, I don't know what it is then.
 
Rent ranges from $1000(very cheap) to $2000. I'd say $1400 is the average for one bedroom, in a shared house. You can take the Muni, bus or Bart for public transit. Muni is most convenient. There's also Ucsf shuttle if you live in mission bay.

Can't complain that much about the rent since it's public school tuition so you're saving more money than privates by default.

Are you CA resident?

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Nope- OOS. I know- it'll be hard to get in....Thank you for sharing those numbers!
 
I know some of you may disagree with me but the peer pressure sure is a real thing in my class lol. There are way too many people going to anatomy lab at 12am, I feel obligated to at least look at the lecture powerpoints haha... Some people wax until 2am.... they take a million pics and show off on snapchat and FB group.... XD I'd have to at least burn my denatured alcohol and screw the tooth in hahah... Whoever said dental school is a joy has not seen some oral path exam materials XD
 
I know some of you may disagree with me but the peer pressure sure is a real thing in my class lol. There are way too many people going to anatomy lab at 12am, I feel obligated to at least look at the lecture powerpoints haha... Some people wax until 2am.... they take a million pics and show off on snapchat and FB group.... XD I'd have to at least burn my denatured alcohol and screw the tooth in hahah... Whoever said dental school is a joy has not seen some oral path exam materials XD
It was only this incisor predent saying it's easy. Which doesn't make sense, because of the obvious.
 
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Guys. I have 3 extracted teeth in the lower jaw (molars) and some fillings at the molars at the upper jaw. Soon I will have implants so I could get my teeth fixed... can I still be a dentist even if I dont have natural teeth?
 
Guys. I have 3 extracted teeth in the lower jaw (molars) and some fillings at the molars at the upper jaw. Soon I will have implants so I could get my teeth fixed... can I still be a dentist even if I dont have natural teeth?
Hahaha. Are you serious?
 
Guys. I have 3 extracted teeth in the lower jaw (molars) and some fillings at the molars at the upper jaw. Soon I will have implants so I could get my teeth fixed... can I still be a dentist even if I dont have natural teeth?

You can have dentures instead of implants and still be a dentist.......................
but maybe not a respected one
 
If you're going into dental school straight out of college having been completely supported by generous family, I think dental school will seem really hard and there's a chance you might not enjoy a lot of it. If you're going in to dental school having been trapped in the real world for a while with ****ty jobs, petty bosses, building nothing for your future, etc... then I think it will still seem really hard but you'll probably enjoy a lot of it.
 
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I enjoy learning about the lab aspect of it and doing things with my hands, but the didactic classes can get tiring. Heck, D1 year the lab can get tiring too. In D2, you adapt to the lab so much more quickly than D1, and it makes it simpler. But ultimately, the people you're with are what make or break your experience. If you've got a good attitude, it can take you far, and others will be happy to help you through any life situation, not just dental school. Be that person for your classmates and your patients both!
 
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