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After completing my undergraduate degree in biology, I plan to apply to dental school and become a dentist. During my time at dental school I would like to be a lab TA in either chemistry or biology for undergraduates, and possibly work at a dental office as a receptionist of some sort. I haven’t quite figured out my plan once I’m in dental school, but I know that the end goal is to be a dentist, because oral health is the key to overall health. I want to help people feel better not only physically but psychologically. If a patient is confident in their smile, they'll feel better.
At my internship, there are dental students that come in every week to observe, and when they are there I can ask them about their experience so I can gauge whether or not dentistry really is for me.
This internship has only solidified my want to become a dentist. Interacting with the dental students was invaluable, and provided helpful insight into the process of becoming a dentist. The site helped me become more confident in my career goal and secured my confidence in my self knowledge. I know what I want to do in the future.
Professional Communication
Professional Communication
The basis of all human interaction is communication. I want to learn to become more confident in my own communication, even when I feel out of place, in order to become a better dentist through proper communication with my patients and colleagues.
The basis of all human interaction is communication. I want to learn to become more confident in my own communication, even when I feel out of place, in order to become a better dentist through proper communication with my patients and colleagues.
In order to work on my professional communication, I will be
Observing clinical handoffs in between medical teams of professionals and see how they facilitate team-based care.
Leading end of clinic debriefs.
Building an onboarding manual for the clinic that details the work done in the clinic and expectations of members.
As of March 2024, I have become far more confident in my ability to communicate in a professional manner. I feel more comfortable when interacting with others in a workplace setting, and can now advocate for myself with more ease. However, I am still not as secure in my abilities as I would like. To work on this, I will continue to stretch my personal limits and put myself in situations where I must speak in a professional manner to encourage my personal growth.
Medical Settings
Medical Settings
I want to learn more about medical settings specifically so I can see how medical professionals interact with one another and their patients and then determine how best to help/advocate for my future patients
I want to learn more about medical settings specifically so I can see how medical professionals interact with one another and their patients and then determine how best to help/advocate for my future patients
In order to increase my knowledge of medical settings I will be
In clinics with Dr. Newton and observing how a team-based care clinic functions.
A part of the debrief in clinic and learning how a medical professional attacks an issue and goes about data collection.
Learning to identify social determinants of health.
I have learnt a lot more about medical settings during my time at this site. I have sat in on multiple patient encounters, and am present during team huddles. Through my experience at this site, I have seen how healthcare workers interact with one another, and with patients. With this, I have developed methods of how I would like to interact with my future patients and colleagues. For example, a key phrase often mentioned at the clinic is "psychological safety", which essentially means that the clinic is a safe space to say "I don't know", or to ask any questions you have. The idea of psychological safety has made my experience in clinic memorable and invaluable, and I wish to carry this on to my future practice. In the future, to increase my knowledge of medical settings, I plan to begin shadowing dental offices.
Professional Network
Professional Network
When I become a dentist, I want to have a professional network of people I can consult in order to provide the best possible care for my patients.
When I become a dentist, I want to have a professional network of people I can consult in order to provide the best possible care for my patients.
In order to build my professional network, I will be
In clinics weekly that will give me access to medical students and doctors.
Working closely with my supervisors who can introduce me to dentists and other healthcare professionals.
Because of this site, I have created invaluable bonds with medical professionals that I will be able to consult with in the future. To continue to build my professional network, I plan to make connections with the dentists and staff at the practices that I will be shadowing this summer.
When I applied to LHSI my goals were to:
When I applied to LHSI my goals were to:
become a proficient communicator
further teamwork capabilities
determine the best way to interact with patients and colleagues
build a professional network
I feel as though I have made decent headway in accomplishing these goals as a result of my internship. I feel more comfortable communicating, working with a team, and have started to build a professional network. I have also observed how healthcare workers typically interact with patients and plan to use many of the techniques they employed with my own patients. Over the summer I will continue to develop these goals by shadowing dental offices, and continuing to work at the IPE as an assistant to my supervisor. By doing both of these things I will be one step closer to becoming a dentist.
I feel as though I have made decent headway in accomplishing these goals as a result of my internship. I feel more comfortable communicating, working with a team, and have started to build a professional network. I have also observed how healthcare workers typically interact with patients and plan to use many of the techniques they employed with my own patients. Over the summer I will continue to develop these goals by shadowing dental offices, and continuing to work at the IPE as an assistant to my supervisor. By doing both of these things I will be one step closer to becoming a dentist.
Now What?
Now What?
Over the summer, I will continue to work with my LHSI supervisor and expand my scope of responsibility. I will be responsible for data analysis, literature reviews, research into grants, and assisting my supervisor with anything she needs. I will also begin shadowing dental offices. These activities will allow me to become a competitive dental school applicant by increasing my knowledge of the dental world and improving my ability to work with data, research, and colleagues.
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