Summer Reading List in Preparation for Dental School?!!!!

[fishindr]

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When I entered dental school, I didn't even know how many teeth are in the mouth, let alone occlusion, H/N anatomy, histology, etc. Two semesters later, I am ranked #1 in my class of 101 with a 4.0 GPA - and I was a very average undergrad student. I am married with a 8 month old baby boy and still find time to make it happen. It kills me that you won't listen to people that have already gone through at least *some* dental school. You will soon realize that dental school is unlike anything you have ever experienced. Not any harder or easier, just much different. I don't care what you do this summer, but as for my 6 week break, I am staying as far away from books as possible and I don't feel like I am "falling behind" any of my classmates because of this. But if you want to read 1000 pages of biochem, be my guest. 🙄

OK I'll do my best to address all 3 of you:

lnn2: "If you guys must study this summer before dschool then here's the list of things you need to know:
1. Histology
2. Dental anatomy
3. Biochemistry
4. Physiology
5. Gross anatomy
6. Head & Neck anatomy"

Can you read? Like I've said about 5 times in this thread, by no means to I plan on learning everything I'll need to know for my first year in 2 months. Only a ******* would hope/try to do that....and only a ******* would continue to harp on this "point" after it's been clearly stated that, that IS NOT the my goal.


ktcook83: "fishindr and jk5177 you guys need to find a hobby and take some advice from dental students who have been there done that"

Maybe you an lnn2 can split a "Hooked on Phonics" video. As I've already stated, I'M TAKING THE ADVICE OF DENTAL STUDENTS FROM D1 TO D4, AS WELL AS MANY PROFESSORS AT MY STATE SCHOOL! Of which, I might add, I am currently employed at.

I need to find a hobby? Seriously, there are 24 hrs. in a day, I sleep (on a good night) for 8 of those, that gives me 16 hrs. in a day to have fun with. Why is looking over anatomy for 1/16th of a day a big deal? Are you serious? I still have 15 hrs. to do other things!


LSR1979: "It kills me that you won't listen to people that have already gone through at least *some* dental school."

You sound like a smart guy, so you probably don't need any help with your reading, but seriously, have you read any of my previous posts?

OK, here you go folks. I've met A LOT of dental students and dentists, and there's clearly a difference between those who take the time to "go the extra mile" and those who are content with just getting things done and going home. I can guarantee that I'll be a "lab *****" in school, because I've seen the final result from those students who, rather than go home and grab a beer like that majority of their class, choose to stay at the school and "cut just one more prep." I've worked at the Western Regional Examination Board, for 2 years, and I've seen FIRST HAND the difference in the final product. These people understand that even by doing something small, that may seem insignificant to most, it will no doubt help you become a better dentist in the end. Even if they only do a couple of extra things, they've still received more out of this education than the next guy. I've seen students, from one of the best clinical schools in the country, graduate still lacking the confidence to go out into the world and treat patients. Interestingly enough, I could've told you they'd feel that way their first year. They are content with being average. They are content with doing the bare minimum. On the other hand, I've also seen a 26 year old buy a practice before he even graduated, and go on to be a successful dentist. How do you get that kind of confidence in your skills? You practice, all the time, when everyone else has gone home.

You might think I'm a ***** for taking 1/16th of my days for the next two months to help "take the edge off" of my first year. That I'm stupid for not listening to a bunch of faceless names on the freakin' internet that claim to have already graduated from dental school. But, I would say, that after having seen, with my own eyes, the results that going the extra mile produces, I would be a stupid ***** if I did not do so.

 

[LSR1979]

OK I'll do my best to address all 3 of you:

lnn2: "If you guys must study this summer before dschool then here's the list of things you need to know:
1. Histology
2. Dental anatomy
3. Biochemistry
4. Physiology
5. Gross anatomy
6. Head & Neck anatomy"

Can you read? Like I've said about 5 times in this thread, by no means to I plan on learning everything I'll need to know for my first year in 2 months. Only a ******* would hope/try to do that....and only a ******* would continue to harp on this "point" after it's been clearly stated that, that IS NOT the my goal.


ktcook83: "fishindr and jk5177 you guys need to find a hobby and take some advice from dental students who have been there done that"

Maybe you an lnn2 can split a "Hooked on Phonics" video. As I've already stated, I'M TAKING THE ADVICE OF DENTAL STUDENTS FROM D1 TO D4, AS WELL AS MANY PROFESSORS AT MY STATE SCHOOL! Of which, I might add, I am currently employed at.

I need to find a hobby? Seriously, there are 24 hrs. in a day, I sleep (on a good night) for 8 of those, that gives me 16 hrs. in a day to have fun with. Why is looking over anatomy for 1/16th of a day a big deal? Are you serious? I still have 15 hrs. to do other things!


LSR1979: "It kills me that you won't listen to people that have already gone through at least *some* dental school."

You sound like a smart guy, so you probably don't need any help with your reading, but seriously, have you read any of my previous posts?

OK, here you go folks. I've met A LOT of dental students and dentists, and there's clearly a difference between those who take the time to "go the extra mile" and those who are content with just getting things done and going home. I can guarantee that I'll be a "lab *****" in school, because I've seen the final result from those students who, rather than go home and grab a beer like that majority of their class, choose to stay at the school and "cut just one more prep." I've worked at the Western Regional Examination Board, for 2 years, and I've seen FIRST HAND the difference in the final product. These people understand that even by doing something small, that may seem insignificant to most, it will no doubt help you become a better dentist in the end. Even if they only do a couple of extra things, they've still received more out of this education than the next guy. I've seen students, from one of the best clinical schools in the country, graduate still lacking the confidence to go out into the world and treat patients. Interestingly enough, I could've told you they'd feel that way their first year. They are content with being average. They are content with doing the bare minimum. On the other hand, I've also seen a 26 year old buy a practice before he even graduated, and go on to be a successful dentist. How do you get that kind of confidence in your skills? You practice, all the time, when everyone else has gone home.

You might think I'm a ***** for taking 1/16th of my days for the next two months to help "take the edge off" of my first year. That I'm stupid for not listening to a bunch of faceless names on the freakin' internet that claim to have already graduated from dental school. But, I would say, that after having seen, with my own eyes, the results that going the extra mile produces, I would be a stupid ***** if I did not do so.

That's cool. I hope your summer reading helps you out in school. If nothing else, at least you will keep your brain sharp. Best of luck in dental school....it is a totally different world 👍

 

[lnn2]

You might think I'm a *****

You might have a point there! 👍

wow, so much anger and hostility 😱 and you haven't started dschool yet!

 

[fishindr]

You might have a point there! 👍

wow, so much anger and hostility 😱 and you haven't started dschool yet!

No anger, no hostility. I'm just having fun with this....aren't you? It's only the internet anyway, right? I mean, sure, everyone has points they want to hit, but really we're all just having a good time with this and letting our brains relax for awhile. 👍

Oh, and BTW, this: "You might have a point there! 👍" was really funny. You can definitely put that one in the "Win Column".

 

[captaintripps]

Here is your reading assignment:
Robbins and Cotran pp 2-980
Boron and Boulpaep pp 5-792

get it going.

 

[jk5177]

i wish i am NOT in the same school as you are. crazy people

Thank you*thank you* It's certainly a school with crazy people. Crazy about dentistry that is.

Last year, the students at the dental school achieved the second highest Board Scores out of all dental schools across the country. The average was in the 90s. That means half of the class scored about ninety percentile. Yeah. Crazy. You got that right. Crazy we are.

 

[jk5177]

To All Those Naysayers:

Let me emphasize myself again, I'm not studying to gun for the top spot. I'm not studying so I can know everything. I'm not studying because I have nothing else better to do. Please erase those from your mind. There is no point to keep myths alive.

However, I am studying so that I can keep myself alert. Like a marathoner who runs races. He needs to keep up with some sort of a regular exercise routine.

Furthermore, I'm studying so I don't drown when we are put in the ocean to swim. I'm simply learning how to thread water. I'm not training myself to do the butterfly stroke or anything. The actual school will teach me that.

Do I convey my point across? Furthermore, people have different study habits. I'm the slow and steady, the tortoise that wins the race, and this is the way I am. Don't take me wrong, I know that when school starts, it will be a mad train, and I will need to face that.

Furthermore, those of you who claims to be burned out, or claims to know what it is like to be burned out from dental school. Maybe, if you had briefly refreshed yourself before school starts, you may not be burned out?

Now, I'm not saying, I will be reading a sh*tload everday. I'm not saying I will start memorizing, I'm simply saying I will look at the material, synthesize it, organize it, and see the big picture. When school starts, that's when all the details and minutia will fall in.

How you consider the fact that studying is a hobby in itself? There are professors who study and research as their career, because of.... their love for learning. There are people who go to librarys to read. Learning is enjoyable in itself.

Someone earlier mentioned a good point. 24 hours in a day. Say 8 hours sleeping, 3 hours eating. 1 hour in the restroom, that leaves me with 12 hours to do anything I wish I want to do in my life. So I spent a hour on the phone with for whatever reason, that leaves me with 11. What are you going to do with 11 hours of a day. Oh yeah, that's right hobbies. Okay. I go trail running, so that's two hours, and that leaves me with 9 hours. Let me go find 9 other hobbies to fill my day. Oh, yeah, I can go travel, so I will go travel for thee months straight.

Those who wants to do nothing during summer, sure I respect them. Cool deal. Whatever. I'm not here to tell anyone what they want to do. But I think those who actually WANTS TO STUDY FOR THE SAKE OF STUDYING, ought to do what they want to do. Whenever the spirit is willing, there is no burnout; and that is true with anything we do. If you don't believe me, read Carneige's book. Edison said: "Genius is 99% perspiration, and 1% inspiration." Why don't we, as future dentist start our profession; let's start doing good for our clients.

Maybe I would study no more than a few hours this whole summer. Or maybe I'll jam through biochemistry and Boulape. Whatever. I'm just letting it be. I'm not going to force myself to study. Nor am I going to force myself not to. THIS FREEDOM TO CHOOSE IS MY SUMMER. But if I do plan to study, at least I will now know what is high yield, because of the many helpful posts that has been made here.

To the poster that has a similar belief as me, you are awesome! Good to see people who are as dedicated.

If you are a naysayer, please repeat your arguments in a more convincing matter, because I am not convinced.

 

[lnn2]

No anger, no hostility. I'm just having fun with this....aren't you?

Agree! I'm just messing with you guys! Actually, I did the same thing before I started dschool, well, almost! I read the dental anatomy handouts from Indiana U. I gave up after the first page! I was also working at the lab at that time, my excuse! I had all the symptoms of a slacker! I knew that I was gonna be hammered with all the studying once I start dschool so I just enjoyed my last free summer.
Good luck to all of ya!

 

[DDSSlave]

I'll say one thing, you predents have passion. If you're going to ignore my advice and read something anyway, fine, read dental anatomy. Chances are it will be one of the few text books you will read in 1st yr anyway. Plus it's a complex but otherwise light course 1st year that can eat up time away from the difficult basic sciences. I would strongly discourage you from studying anatomy, biochem, phys etc. You will be having these classes close to every other day and will be stuying at least one of them most weekends. There's very little you can do to prepare for them or "take the edge off". And as I said earlier, if you spend inefficient time studying it over the summer, burnout may happen. (It may not have happened to you in college, but it will in dental school). So, read something light, read something approachable. Read something that may make it possible to better concentrate on the more difficult sciences 1st yr. I still believe all of you would be better served reading Hemmingway or playing xBox, but each to their own I guess.

 

[jk5177]

I'll say one thing, you predents have passion. If you're going to ignore my advice and read something anyway, fine, read dental anatomy. Chances are it will be one of the few text books you will read in 1st yr anyway. Plus it's a complex but otherwise light course 1st year that can eat up time away from the difficult basic sciences. I would strongly discourage you from studying anatomy, biochem, phys etc. You will be having these classes close to every other day and will be stuying at least one of them most weekends. There's very little you can do to prepare for them or "take the edge off". And as I said earlier, if you spend inefficient time studying it over the summer, burnout may happen. (It may not have happened to you in college, but it will in dental school). So, read something light, read something approachable. Read something that may make it possible to better concentrate on the more difficult sciences 1st yr. I still believe all of you would be better served reading Hemmingway or playing xBox, but each to their own I guess.

Thank you for the suggestion. You actually give an answer to my post.

And it's not that we "passionate" pre-dents (maybe naive), don't heed your call and warning, and also I've experienced burned outs before, but it's like there is so much excitement and energy build up toward dental school. Yes, it is a long four years, and endurance through the years is more important than just crash burn after the first year, but can you, as a DS2, DS3, or DS4, recall the excitement you had the summer before dental school. When, I'm excited about something, I want to go with it. Why hold myself back in fear of a burn-out that may or may not occur in the future?

Please convince me otherwise, so far, there haven't been one thought out solid argument. All the people have said is that dental school is so hard that it is unimaginable unless one goes through it. I say to them... "what doesn't kills you only makes you stronger."

 

[DDSSlave]

To the poster that has a similar belief as me, you are awesome! Good to see people who are as dedicated.

If you are a naysayer, please repeat your arguments in a more convincing matter, because I am not convinced.

Most dental students here I believe are extremely dedicated. They've just learned from experience to cherish the free time they have. I think your passion towards learning dentistry is great as is you're perspective of it being one grand hobby. No doubt you'll do terrific in dental school. However, after spending 60+ hrs/wk 1st and 2nd yr doing dentistry, you learn the importance of free time and relaxing and how crucial it is to maintain that type of pace. By no means are students who choose to relax not "dedicated". Some of you predents tend to look down on students who, in your view, don't seem to study as much or spend less time in preclinic or doing lab work. Be careful about being so critical before you've walked in their shoes. Sitting in lecure/lab or treating patients 8+ hrs a day gets a little tiring after the first year or so. If someone needs to go home after a stressful day to a beer... by all means..they disserve it.

I don't mean to pick on anyone. You all seem extremely passionate, dedicated, and anxious. All great qualities. Just adding a little perspective.

 

[aphistis]

Most dental students here I believe are extremely dedicated. They've just learned from experience to cherish the free time they have. I think your passion towards learning dentistry is great as is you're perspective of it being one grand hobby. No doubt you'll do terrific in dental school. However, after spending 60+ hrs/wk 1st and 2nd yr doing dentistry, you learn the importance of free time and relaxing and how crucial it is to maintain that type of pace.

Perfect. 👍

 

[jk5177]

Most dental students here I believe are extremely dedicated. They've just learned from experience to cherish the free time they have. I think your passion towards learning dentistry is great as is you're perspective of it being one grand hobby. No doubt you'll do terrific in dental school. However, after spending 60+ hrs/wk 1st and 2nd yr doing dentistry, you learn the importance of free time and relaxing and how crucial it is to maintain that type of pace. By no means are students who choose to relax not "dedicated". Some of you predents tend to look down on students who, in your view, don't seem to study as much or spend less time in preclinic or doing lab work. Be careful about being so critical before you've walked in their shoes. Sitting in lecure/lab or treating patients 8+ hrs a day gets a little tiring after the first year or so. If someone needs to go home after a stressful day to a beer... by all means..they disserve it.

I don't mean to pick on anyone. You all seem extremely passionate, dedicated, and anxious. All great qualities. Just adding a little perspective.

Perhaps, we pre-dents can be a bit naive about the real nature of dental school, and I would absolutely not claim that I know how it goes. This post give us a better clue about it. Thanks. You spell it out nicely. The other posts doesn't explain why they want to take the summer off. This is the post that I'm looking for. It is much more convincing.

 

[Rezdawg]

If you can pull off just casually looking over this stuff before school starts, then more power to you. I just dont see how it will be beneficial. When I get to school, they will provide me with the info I need to succeed. By putting in an hour here and an hour there, I gain nothing. Instead, I feel like Ive lost an hour here and an hour there.

Therefore, I'd rather use that hour to stare at a wall.

 

[fishindr]

I just dont see how it will be beneficial.

I completely understand, but here's how I look at things. Let's say I spend 1 hour today and tomorrow looking over the muscles of the face. I've seen all this stuff before in undergrad, so it's all somewhat familiar anyway. I find myself saying, "Oh yeah, I remember that." A LOT. Maybe I'll even take that hour to make and few tables of orgins and insertion. When d-school gets here, sure, that one little table I made of the origins and insertions of the muscles of the face isn't going to help....much, but when we start studying the muscles of the face that first year, I'll already have my tables made to study from. I will have just saved myself about an hour or so of making stupid tables of origins and insertions, plus those "Oh yeah..." moments will already be out of the way. Learning comes from repetition, if I can look over the muscles of the face ONCE before school starts, I'll be seeing the stuff for the second time in a few months which obviously is better than seeing it for the first time in 2 or 3 years!!! Make sense? I mean, staring at a wall sounds fun , but I would rather stare at the wall for 15 hours and study for 1, rather than stare at the wall for 16 hours everyday.

 

[fishindr]

By no means are students who choose to relax not "dedicated". Some of you predents tend to look down on students who, in your view, don't seem to study as much or spend less time in preclinic or doing lab work. Be careful about being so critical before you've walked in their shoes.

I'm not trying to be critical of anyone, I've just spoken to those students who "choose to relax" during school after their boards, and it's a completely different conversation with them compared to those who spent the extra time in the lab during their time in school. They are less confident in their skills, and the fact of the matter is, their skills ARE inferior to others who've spent more time practicing and they probably shouldn't be that confident in them. You no doubt believe that dentistry is a skill, one which is learned and honed over time through practice? A dentist who's been practicing a couple of years is rarely more skilled than one who's been doing this thing for 20+, at least from what I've seen. More practice and you will be better at your skill, that's just the way it goes.

I understand burnout, but 1 hour a day? Are you serious? Like I've said before, I don't think anyone plans to bury themself in study materials for the summer, I know I don't (there's WAY to many salmon to catch, bars I haven't been to, girls I haven't met....) and I think that's a TERRIBLE idea, but 1/16th of your day is not a big deal. Even if it doesn't help me academically in my first year, at least it makes me feel like I'm doing something proactive and I'm keeping my brain working. At least I can feel like I'm doing something to help myself, rather than sitting back and worrying about "spending 60+ hrs/wk 1st and 2nd yr doing dentistry".

 

[jk5177]

fishindr. I can't agree with you more. Way to go on your posts. I absolutely agree. Thank you.

 

[jk5177]

Therefore, I'd rather use that hour to stare at a wall.

Have you done this before? Do you know how hard this is? I bet you will struggle even for thirty minutes.

Hey, Rezdawg. I have a challenge for you, sit and stare at the wall for an hour, and tell me how it goes. I love to hear your response.

I meditate; and I can assure it is not easy to do. Try it!

 

[lnn2]

If you stare at the wall long enough then you'd see different types of animals smiling at you.
If you meditate long enough then you'd hear the voices in your head like someone's talking to you.

 

[fishindr]

If you stare at the wall long enough then you'd see different types of animals smiling at you.
If you meditate long enough then you'd hear the voices in your head like someone's talking to you.

lnn2's right, I've done this before. It was my freshman year of college........

 

[gsikora]

Relax and enjoy your summer. It may be the last time you have off for a long, long time. Go to Europe and drink wine.

 

[balance]

Relax and enjoy your summer. It may be the last time you have off for a long, long time. Go to Europe and drink wine.

Good idea, Also read Rich Dad/ Poor Dad while you are on the plane to Europe.

You might decide no to attend d-school after all? If you think you are going to be rich from practicing dentistry.

 

[jk5177]

Just came back from a four day mountaineering trip in Southern Yosemite. Climbed Mt. Madeira. SPF whatever number doesn't help. I'm darker now. Shhocks. Thymidine dimers accumulating on my face.

 

[Dens-en-Dente]

I would read something about how to handle stress. It seems that is the number one problem many of my classmates are having.

Agreed, dental students make up most of the psych therapy sessions across the board. We have the highest stress level. If only we could prescribe percocet to ourselves.

DED

 

[odontastic]

Get organized & enhance your study/learning skills so that you have more time and are more relaxed.

Getting Things Done (GTD) by David Allen
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0142000280/qid=1121566117/002-1854004-4248007

Websites for becoming effective & efficient at learning the immense amount of knowledge you will be expected to retain
http://www.studygs.net/index.htm
http://clt.cornell.edu/campus/learn/SSWorkshops/SKResources.html
http://www.jcu.edu.au/studying/services/studyskills/online.html

and also Chicken Soup for the Dental Soul
http://www.chickensoup.com/books/dental.html

 

[jk5177]

Recently finished a classic book. Black Like Me.

 

[jk5177]

Just came back from a four day mountaineering trip in Southern Yosemite. Climbed Mt. Madeira. SPF whatever number doesn't help. I'm darker now. Shhocks. Thymidine dimers accumulating on my face.

Came back from Lassen yesterday. Lassen Peak was awesome. So I said to this friend of mine on the trip as we were nearing the 10,000 peak. "Forget dental school. I'll just climb the Sierras for the next year." Ov korse I'm kidding.

Why am I making this post? This is to contrast all the other nerdy posts I've made about studying during summer; sure I'll heed the call and do fun things. Tomorrow I'm heading off to two weeks of religious activities.

My sis asked about Rh- blood type. Ugh. I ought to refresh that myself, cuz I don't remember it clearly.