Opportunity

Katie Dileo '22

"In order to maximize your time in this class, I recommend taking every opportunity to engage with your faculty."

My favorite class was PCC 129 because it let me experience what it feels like to be an actual dentist caring for a patient and not just a technician honing skills. I learned about local anesthetic techniques, how to conduct a thorough complete oral exam/periodic oral exam (COE/POE), documenting via the electronic health record, diagnosing, treatment planning, how to remove plaque and calculus - along with other foundations of patient care. It was gratifying to be able to understand my classmate - patient's history and goals and then identify and execute a treatment plan that we jointly agree is best to optimize her health and well-being.
​While it may seem obvious that this should be our goal as dentists, living it out for the first time was an unforgettable experience, leaving me energized to begin work in clinic. In order to maximize your time in this class, I recommend taking every opportunity to engage with your faculty. While it is often possible (and tempting) to get everything done quickly and enjoy the Friday afternoon, don't forget that this is your chance to ask questions and learn tips and tricks from your faculty. Lastly, make sure the two teammates you select to be with for the year work well with your learning style - while helping make the journey fun too!