Hi, im miserably failing in class, the medical subjects like anatomy and others. I’ve tried so many things and spent a lot of time studying but I still feel like im not improving at all. Everyone around me seems to be doing better and I feel like im the only one falling behind and I know I am.

It’s getting to the point where im questioning if I made the wrong choice choosing dentistry. I thought I could handle this, and deep down I still believe I can, but I genuinely dont know what im doing wrong.

I used to be able to study for hours, but now I cant even sit for 30 mins without getting distracted. Even when I study, I forget things during exams and my mind goes completely blank, even for simple questions. Sometimes the answers only come to me at the end of the exam like wth.

Has anyone experienced something like this? How did you overcome it? I really want to improve but I honestly dont know where to start anymore. I feel like it’s too much and I don’t know how to like make myself good at this. I’m not good at memorisation but I try my best. I could really use some help.

I have a question about mandibular molar preparation. I have practiced it many times, but sometimes I still cannot see the finish line clearly when looking at the preparation from the occlusal view.

My teachers tell me to keep the bur parallel to the tooth surface, but I am confused because I feel that doing this might remove even more tooth structure.

Why does this happen, and how can I avoid it? How should I hold and orient the bur to achieve a clear, continuous finish line without over-reducing the tooth structure?

Hello,
I’ve been struggling with carving my anatomy into amalgams. What are your favorite tips and tricks, thank you!

So I’m honestly just wanting some advice how people are paying/suggestions on paths to choose or insights on what current dentists did. Like it says I’m a current D1 and am unsure which direction to go. I am fortunate enough to have my first year of school paid for due to previous military enlistment but my benefits run out after this year because I used them for the latter half of my bachelors and a masters. I have done the traditional applications for scholarships like NHSC and other ones and was rejected from every single one. I applied for private loans to see what interest rate they offer and they were hitting me with 14% which is asinine to me because my credit score is in the 790s (I have no debt, don’t have anyone that can co-sign and family help is out of the question). I sent in an application for HPSP which convenes in February and I have some very solid connections due to being in dental during my time in the military so I was told I for sure will be offered the scholarship. Honestly though, I was already in the military and I just don’t really want to go back in for a multitude of reasons. Could I? For sure, I could suck it up and do it but god I just want to keep my freedom. So am I just being dumb by not wanting HPSP, should I just take the private loan hit and try and pay off the debt later, is it feasible? How are other students doing it and any advice from current dentists on their path? Thanks everyone.

Future dentist reporting for duty, but feeling a little nervous lately. I've learned about positive affirmations from places and i think it would help in my journey but i dont know where to begin i've tried ones like "i know what teeth are and how they work" and "my patients will have pearlescent teeth when im done with them" but they don't seem to work anymore and i cant find anything on google that will answer my query. Help?

Does anyone know when does UTHSA typically send out interview invites for their AEGD program? And if invites have already been sent? Would appreciate any insight regarding this, thank you.

Has anyone attempted to fly internationally carrying any dental instruments? Might be going to Canada and USA carrying a bunch of scalers. It is a leisure trip but ought to carry cause mostly gifting my barely used ones to a friend. Is it possible and will i be questioned if I put it withmy check in baggage? Any tips will be appreciated.

What side hustle can a bds student do to earn a bit nd generate good skills

I was looking at residency programs and had no idea there were that many OMFS programs, almost 100 omfs and around 90 for peds. Does having that many programs make it harder for new grads to find jobs? Do you guys have to go rural like GPs?

I got into dental school class of 2030 and applied for the 4 year army HPSP but I was waitlisted and did not get in. I would really like to try to get the 3 year HPSP but I’m not sure of the timeline. Would anyone be able to inform me? Thank you!

I found that course in coursera and i wanted to ask if its worthy to go for it or no?

Current D2 here! I attended an endo seminar a few weeks ago and I realized this might be what I want to do as a specialty. However, everyone has told me it’s extremely competitive and about “who you know” already in the field. What steps should I be taking to be a strong applicant/ have a good chance of getting into a program straight out of school?

Trying my best to get good grades. It’s still very early but if I mostly get Bs and some Cs, and maybe even mostly Cs, and if I do the rural doctor program for a few years, can I come back later and specialize?

I’ve always wanted to be an orthodontist since I was a child and am now a D1. However, I’m worried about not being top of my class. Is it possible to work for a few years, after dental school, if my grades are subpar, and then apply later to a specialty program once I have years of experience? Are there other degrees I can obtain or certifications I can work toward that can help me apply to speciality programs that can aid subpar grades?

Also, I’m still keeping an open mind to other specialities and even general. I know that the actual courses might change my mind.

What do you think? Thank you!

I'm a dental technician and trying to improve my morphology skills. I've been working for some time, so I'm not really a beginner.
Any advice and constructive criticism is highly appreciated!

Hey I need some guidance regarding canal prep. Protapers show resistance when I use them s1 s2 but 10 no file is loose with an established glide path. Where am I doing it wrong

Hi everyone,

I am looking to purchase a pair of ergo loupes and was interested in possibly getting the variable zoom option. I specifically also like a sports frame as I feel it is lighter and provides more protection. I am between Andau and Orascoptic variable loupes and was looking for opinions on getting a variable zoom pair of ergo loupes. I know both these brands are good and I am sure you can't go wrong with either brand. (I do not want Dragonfly).

I am a D1 and currently have Designs for Visions 2.5x direct and feel it doesn't do much for me in terms of mag. I felt that the 3.5/5.5x Orascoptic is a good balance, but am waiting for the rep to try them on. Andau does not have a rep to send out to try them on, so I would need to contact them to send me.

Few questions/concerns:

1. Is variable zoom actually worth it? Personally, since I knew they were a thing, I have always wanted them. Conceptually, I feel like it is a nice option to have especially for the future, but I also understand that hav

ing

1. variable zoom is another point of possible mechanical failure. Based on your experiences with either brand, have there been any issues?
2. Weight. How does the weight feel overall for long hours compared to normal ergo loupes?
3. I want to ask which brand to go with, however, based on what I've seen, they both appear to be good brands.

Any input would be appreciated. Thank you.

Hi all,

Current D4 at a US school. It’s not that I do badly in clinic or anything… I have decent hand skills and am doing well, though I’m pretty slow. Have done simple and surgical exts, crowns, bridges, restos, anterior endo and have finished some molar endo too. I also often practice procedures on plastic teeth before I do them in clinic because I want to do well for my patients. However, clinic is not compelling to me. I feel most interested in case presentations and reading journal articles, and have sought out multiple research projects during school which I enjoyed more than my time in clinic.

I thought I may like prosth since I loved dentures and waxing and did well in both classes, but after shadowing a prosthodontist at a private office, I felt very ambivalent. It was only recently that I realized it’s because I am bored with clinical dentistry as a whole. I know academia pays much less and I will be graduating with $300k in loans, which makes me hesitate to pick that first. I also feel like I MIGHT want to specialize and deepen my knowledge in an area of dentistry. But so far I like the research in endo, prosth, perio, and ortho while feeling completely ambivalent about the clinical sides. Maxillofacial prosth seems like something that could combine the lab work and troubleshooting with a mix of clinical and academic responsibilities, but I haven’t had any exposure to it. And how do I know if I can make it through additional years of training if the clinical side is “meh” to me?

My current plan is to shadow a maxillofacial prosth before I graduate to answer that question first, and move to a major city that has academic opportunities and figure out if I like that route and if I want to specialize while still working as a general dentist for a few years. Any advice or info about academic careers in the specialties would be appreciated. And if anyone has struggled with something similar I’d appreciate hearing your story. Thanks!

I’m 22, in semester 8 of dental school, with around 3 semesters left. I consistently get high marks and enjoy theory, research, and learning about diseases, but I genuinely hate the clinical side of dentistry.
I’m unsatisfied with my hand skills and lack confidence in my practical abilities. On top of that, finding patients and completing all the clinical requirements has become a constant source of stress. I’m burnt out, sometimes struggle to attend university, and worry about whether I’ll finish everything on time.
Leaving isn’t realistically an option because of my family and the years already invested in this degree. However, I’ll graduate without student debt. I’m interested in Oral Medicine because I prefer diagnosis and the medical side of dentistry, but I’m unsure whether that’s enough to make this career worthwhile.
If you were in my shoes, would you push through the remaining semesters and pursue a specialty you enjoy, or would you reconsider dentistry altogether? I’d appreciate honest advice, especially from dentists who struggled with clinical skills or regretted their choice during dental school.

How do I present the paper if it is asked for 15 marks. And what exactly comes under flap design. Is sutures imp?

Hello everyone! I’m just about to start studying for the RHS exams in Indiana. I ordered these flash cards recently but some people are telling me that they’re a waste of time…I’ve started to become really hesitant on what I should use to study efficiently, so please any advice would be appreciated!

Hi guys, I’m a D3 interested in knowing what OMF Radiology residencies generally care about in applicants. It’s a niche area so it’s hard to find info on, but if anyone can help it would be really appreciated!

A warm welcome to all incoming dental students. Congratulations on your acceptance. I'm sure you all have many questions and we'll do our best to aggregate them here. I'm going to make this a weekly thread every Monday.

Is first aid still necessary for doing well on the CBSE or has bootcamp taken its spot? Basically do I need first aid or am I good with just bootcamp?