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Major Groove

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The biggest misconception about Dentists (and I'm guilty as charged of this) is that they are some higher class citizens, like Brahmans in India would be.

At first I felt untouchable, like I needed to stand in Holy Silence and just watch.

My most rewarding and important discovery, though, was that you can actually talk to these people.

😱

Granted, there are Dentists who will treat you like crap. There are people who work at McDonald's who will treat you the same way.

The vast majority of docs I observed were very willing to talk and I formed lasting relationships with several of them.

Two wrote letters. One signed off on my Coronal Polishing Cert. form.

While these may be small annoyances, you have to consider that helping you out is rewarding for them. Older men especially begin to develop a strong desire to mentor younger men. It's very natural and a powerful thing to tap into.

I couldn't have gotten into d school had I not crossed that imaginary barrier between a DDS with a lab coat and little old me.

So meet as many docs as you can, and establish relationships. The importance of this "passing the torch" can't be overstated.

The successful candidate is not the one who out-competes the rest in a simple game of better grades and higher DAT's. The successful candidate simply puts themselves in a position to be handed the torch.

Only fear can keep you from being the one to receive it. Good luck!
 
Major Groove, I couldn't agree with you more.
 
When Dr. Gordon Christensen wrote my letter of recomendation he told me the same thing. Some times its not what you know, its who you know.
 
If there is one thing I have learned in life...

"It is not the grades you make. It's the hands you shake." 😉
 
the whole reason why i chose a more expensive undergrad..
 
i guess us younger women are screwed then. (someone was going to say it)
 
When Dr. Gordon Christensen wrote my letter of recomendation he told me the same thing. Some times its not what you know, its who you know.

Wow, how in the world did you get Dr. Christensen to write you a letter!! That's sick!!!
 
Who's Dr. Christensen?

got this off a website "Dr. Christensen is the Director and Practical Clinical Courses Senior Consultant at CLINICIANS REPORT (Formerly CRA), and serves as Senior Academic Advisor at the Scottsdale Center for Dentistry. A true leader in the practice of dentistry, he has presented over 45,000 hours of continuing education throughout the world and has published numerous articles and books. Gordon and Dr. Rella Christensen are co-founders of the non-profit Gordon J. Christensen CLINICIANS REPORT formerly CRA Newsletter, where they conducted research in all areas of dentistry and published the findings. Early in his career, Gordon helped initiate the University of Kentucky and University of Colorado Dental Schools and taught at the University of Washington. Gordon is a practicing Prosthodontist in Provo, Utah."

Some of the dentists I met said he's like the Michael Jordan of Dentistry. I met him once, very cool doctor!!
 
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