Class I Cavity Preparation

No doubt dentists have to be proficient in cavity preparation, it is part of our basic training. But just how to we master the cavity prep? I have laid out the steps for the Class I cavity prep on the blog over at TheNEXTDDS, follow the link or click the image below to learn more.

Any questions, comments? Feel free to drop me a line here or on the blog at TheNEXTDDS

Momentum Motivation for The New Year, and Beyond

The beginning of a new year is a great time for goal setting, re-assessing and re-evaluating. It's a time for resolutions, a time to figure out the things you've done in the past that may not have worked or may need a little help/boost. You have a clean slate now and everything you do from here on out has to count!

If this is your first year of dental school, ask yourself the question: did I meet my GPA goals last semester? Do I have a firm foundation and a good understanding of the fundamental core coursework in which to move forward and build on? If your answers aren't a resounding Yes! then this is the semester to really hit the books hard and try to make a "come back," so to speak.
If you're in the clinic, are you on track with your requirements or fulfilled your yearly/quarterly requirement goals? and If this is your final semester of dental school (at long last!) are you on track for graduation? Have u taken/passed your boards and are you on track with the myriad requirements to graduate?

At whatever stage you are in dental school, this time of the year is crucial and is always met with high energy and a get sh*t done attitude. The goal is not solely about making a long to-do list of things you need to do but to keep momentum. How many times do we start the new year off with dieting and work out goals to only have them fall by the wayside by mid-january??

I've had my share of new year resolutions while going through dental school and I have curated a short list of the key principles to follow to make your year successful:

1. Stay Motivated - Remember why you chose to become a dentist. Dental School is not easy and there will be times when you feel like giving up. Don't! Dig deep and keep your eyes on the finish line. Perhaps you can schedule to shadow a local dentist just to remind you of the reason you chose this great profession. Stay focused on you juicy vision and that will increase your motivation and energy to take the necessary actions to see your vision through.

2. Stick-to-it-iveness - That to-do list that you have, get to it and keep going until all your tasks are complete. Develop the habit of following through. As you strike things off that to-do list you are building momentum which will be the motivational force that will sustain you to the end.

3. Time Management - If you struggle with any of the above, managing your time will be a problem as well. All these three points go hand-in-hand and one really does not go without the other. Here are some tips to help you with these:

• Keep you energy levels high!
• Make your goals exciting. Follow the SMART rule and make your goals Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant and Time-bound.
• Stay Positive. Check yourself from time to time. What kind of self talk are you having? If you think you will fail, you probably will. If you think you can do it, you will be unstoppable. 
• Avoid procrastination and think of creative ways to reward yourself. Perhaps a mani/pedi if you get all your week's goals complete? 
• Don't put off for tomorrow what can be done today! Self explanatory. In other words, JUST DO IT!
• Get support. Don't be afraid to ask for help - closed mouths do not get fed.
• Balance your life. Dental School can be stressful, find ways to decompress. Do not ditch your hobbies; you still have a life outside of school!

I hope you will take these pointers to heart and really get motivated to smashing your goals this year. As usual, I'm here for you. Drop me a line in the inbox with questions and Comments!

The Journal of Implantology (JOI): Glossary of Terms 2016

I am VERY excited to share the publication of the Journal of Implantology 2016 Glossary of Terms! The Glossary is a curated collection of terms and their definitions written by dental professionals. In other words. it's a reliable resource to students and professionals alike. 

Perk: It's available online! Click here or the infographic below to navigate to the Glossary. 

The JOI Glossary of Terms, 2016 Edition – a specialized collection of words, phrases, and definitions found in general dentistry, implantology, and oral surgery.

Updated with over 1,500 terms, it’s the largest and most comprehensive edition of the Glossary yet. The Glossary is available for free as a digital flipbook, which is enabled with HTML5 and easily accessible through a PC, tablet, or smartphone.

About the Journal of Oral Implantology

The Journal of Oral Implantology is the official publication of the American Academy of Implant Dentistry. It is dedicated to providing valuable information to general dentists, oral surgeons, prosthodontists, periodontists, scientists, clinicians, laboratory owners and technicians, manufacturers, and educators. The journal distinguishes itself as the first and oldest journal in the world devoted exclusively to implant dentistry. For more information about the journal or society, please visit www.joionline.org.

Follow the links and/or graphic above to access the 2016 edition of the JOI Glossary of Terms.

Valuable Lessons From Successful Dentists That Have "Been There, Done That"

As dental students and young dentists we want to know that we made the right choice in our career decision and we want to know of things that will ensure of success. A great way to gain insight on this is to learn from people who have gone before us and have "been there and done that." We can learn a lot from what makes them successful in their practices and sometimes, unfortunately, from their misfortune as well. 

Thanks to Dr. Ahmed Ezzeldin who put together an expert roundup of 21 successful dentists in the following infographic where they share their secrets on how they've built a successful career.

Dr. Ahmed Ezzeldin is a General Dentist with advanced training in several areas of dentistry. He is owner of Easy Dental Care in Gainesville, Virginia.

Accurate Impression Taking

Taking impressions seems very simple and straightforward, and it can be, but there are a some little things that people struggle with. There are some intricacies and techniques to grasp to ensure accuracy of an impression at all times.
I recently wrote an article for The NEXT DDS which touches on the intricacies involved and goes over some tips and techniques for accurate impression taking.

You may find an excerpt of the article below:

Find the entire article on The NEXT DDS blog here.