Do you want to be a dentist?

What would I have to do if I wanted to study dentistry?

We have heard this question many times, Nora Armada, currently retired after 30 years of career, helps us answer.

Nora, What would I have to do if I wanted to study dentistry?

As a first step, I would suggest you observe the treatments a dentist performs in their daily practice, ask a friend or someone in your family for help, or else at a public hospital by requesting it from the head of service or even better if you can contact a teaching professional from the faculty of dentistry. As there are many specialties that the degree includes, while studying it, you can already start seeing what you like most, e.g.: Surgery, Children, Endodontics, Prosthetics, Orthodontics, etc. Choosing will be your decision. Don't forget, you will be the architect of the mouth, you must have manual dexterity and a sense of plans adapted to dentistry.

In Buenos Aires it is a degree that, after 1 year of entrance course (and passing it), is followed by 5 very intense years (odon.uba.ar). It is generally studied morning and afternoon (it has practical work that is very necessary) so if you have to work, your studies may take longer.

With what is described above, you must keep in mind: having manual dexterity (liking to work with your hands), having a craftsman's sense, a sense of beauty (one of the main reasons for consultation), and knowing that many of your patients will be in pain, considering these issues you are on the right track.

What advice can you give to a newly graduated dentist?

As a newly graduated professional, my advice is:

1.- Keep training (it is the best invested time), because what they teach you in the degree is not enough, you must perfect your area, keep in mind that the patient who comes to your office must feel confident in your ability and this is achieved with constant information, since both techniques and materials are constantly changing, and this is good, always for the benefit of the patient, and he must know that you take care of that.

2.- Don't settle for seeing only one professional, since it may not give you a clear picture of the development of the career, or because they only practice one discipline or because they are a clinician who covers several specialties and may confuse you. Being a conscientious professional, the health field gives you a special sense of responsibility, which if everyone achieved it, would be the perfect wish.

And any negative point?

The negative part of studying Dentistry:

You will be exposed to contagion of high-risk diseases (accidents happen, even with great precautions). You must be prepared for unpleasant conditions in mouth and face, smelly situations, septic foci, blood, oral cancer and its locations.

Thank you very much Nora for your advice, anything to finish?

Think about everything and then decide. Good luck.