During the Fall of 2025, I completed my capstone for my biology degree.  Throughout my time in the Honors College, I made a conscious effort to focus my Honors Project on topics surrounding my future profession, dentistry, and my capstone project was no different. I completed my capstone project as my Honors Credit for the Fall of 2025. Focusing my capstone on topics that I truly care about and have a passion for allowed me to really dive deep into the material, which allowed me to combine various aspects of dentistry that are commonly researched and reported on separately. Integrating various aspects of dentistry allowed me to fill literature gaps while learning new material for myself. Under the guidance of Dr. Michael Yard, I researched, annotated, and compiled information from 26 scientific articles and journals from various authors and researchers. This opportunity allowed me to deeply explore the scientific, technical, and ethical foundations of dentistry before officially entering the field.

My capstone project on dentistry has significantly strengthened my academic and professional skill set. This project allowed me to refine my research skills during the process of completing my capstone by evaluating reliable scientific sources and analyzing information about clinical procedures and oral health. This project also improved my critical thinking by challenging me to evaluate different treatment methods and understand how evidence-based decisions are made in the dental field. Because I had to effectively and professionally explain complex dental concepts, the project also improved my writing and spoken communication abilities. My time management and self-discipline were also improved by setting deadlines and planning each stage of the project. All things considered, the capstone project assisted me in developing the fundamental abilities required to excel in dentistry school and in my future profession as a dentist.