So... What exact are my goals in Dental School?

[zEkii]

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Hey everyone!

Hopeful dentist here! I will be joining the class of 2020 for dental school in the summer and want to know some minor/major details about the checkpoints in dental school.

What are the NBDE's and board exams? How should I look forward to it during dental school?

What courses are best understood in dental school? ... I know the courseload is a lot but how can that be managed?(one at a time or split studying)

Any other input from dental students and dentist are much appreciated and encouraged!

 

[The Anhedonia]

Goals of dental school = learn how to dentist + learn how to fix all the tooths

 

[zEkii]

Goals of dental school = learn how to dentist + learn how to fix all the tooths

You see... This is the kind of knowledge I wouldn't get anywhere else online. Thank you for the insider scoop on dental school.

 

[THS]

NBDE part I is a written test on biochem, gross anatomy, physiology, dental morphology, etc. You have to take it before your 3rd year. I took it the summer after 1st year, just to get it out of the way.

Here's a goal: focus on learning as much as you can, and don't worry about getting A's. I know a lot of classmates that get a lot of A's but don't understand the rationale behind doing something a certain way, which I think is much more important.

 

[Rube]

Hey everyone!

Hopeful dentist here! I will be joining the class of 2020 for dental school in the summer and want to know some minor/major details about the checkpoints in dental school.


Any other input from dental students and dentist are much appreciated and encouraged!

Pay attention to your biomedical science, perio, OS, everything. Think, be open to learning and try everything you can. It is OK if a case doesn't turn out ideal. If you must fail, fail forward.

Pass your exams. Often times this means working smarter not harder. Get the old exams, join a study group, support each other. Never argue with an instructor in clinic. Like all things, you will get through it and graduation will come.

Be grateful for the experience.

 

[distressstudent]

Just show up to class.
Your school is going to let you know what you are going to do. Your dental school goal is to learn how to say "yes sir" and nod your head.

 

[The Anhedonia]

Pay attention to your biomedical science, perio, OS, everything. Think, be open to learning and try everything you can.

probably could get away with ignoring that stuff 😀

 

[The OMFS]

In Perio, you will learn that the gum can be gardened. And sometimes the pockets can be very very deep, which is a big no no.

 

[gatorfan99]

probably could get away with ignoring that stuff 😀

LOL, silly oral surgeons, aren't you on call or something? What are you doing online?

BTW, to the OP, don't ignore anything

 

[The Anhedonia]

LOL, silly oral surgeons, aren't you on call or something? What are you doing online?

BTW, to the OP, don't ignore anything

Med school = bored as s***

 

[MahiMahi]

NBDE part I is a written test on biochem, gross anatomy, physiology, dental morphology, etc. You have to take it before your 3rd year. I took it the summer after 1st year, just to get it out of the way.

Here's a goal: focus on learning as much as you can, and don't worry about getting A's. I know a lot of classmates that get a lot of A's but don't understand the rational behind doing something a certain way, which I think is much more important.

Interesting... so what did you do during DS2/the summer of DS2, instead of NBDE studying?

 

[THS]

Interesting... so what did you do during DS2/the summer of DS2, instead of NBDE studying?

D2 is busy enough, I like not having the added responsibility of studying for NBDE1.

And this summer, after D2 and before D3, I'm getting married and going on my honeymoon. It will be nice not to worry about NBDE during that time.

 

[DrJeff]

Goals of dental school

#1 - graduate

#2 - find out if there is a specialty area that you might want to practice in ONCE YOU'VE ACTUALLY DONE SOME OF IT - there's often a big difference in wanting to specialize before having actually done some of the work and actually realizing that that specialty area is what you want to spend your professional life on

#3 - Expect to grow immensely as a person during your dental school years, as very often it will require one to undergo a bit of a paradigm shift in how they think and then act compared to what one has been doing in the prior education years

#4 - learn to act like a professional - appearance, conversation skills, critical thinking abilities, etc

 

[PocketRocket]

Gun it down... not literally haha, nah just kidding. Basically Dr. Jeff is on point as far as where I stand right now and my goals. Honestly, I just want to give dental school my best shot. I sort of half-assed highschool and college and did fairly well. I'm curious as to how far I can get in dental school now that I've finally figured out the path I want to take my life in. I'm uber excited!

I have some friends in DS and all of them suggest taking the NBDE right after D1. They are D2s now and really loved to get it done and over with early and enjoy their winter breaks. They said its good to take it summer of D1 because it covers material from 1st year. The only bit of additional studying that they did was from some book, but it was very minimal