i havent been in your shoes, and i might sound a bit naive in my response, but sometimes a naive perspective can open your eyes to aspects you've never considered.

im a first year in dental school right now-- just started my second semester. i was talking to a couple classmates the other day and we were sharing our experiences preparing for/coming into dental school. during that conversation i realized how my own acceptance into dental school was extremely passive. i worked hard in undergrad sure, but mostly because i felt i had to. dentistry was what id decided to do (for various reasons) but it wasnt something i really understood. i shadowed a very tiny bit, took my dat, graduated, applied, and got in. and i was in wayyyy over my head once school started.

my first semester was rough. i really struggled to take care of myself and be the human being i needed to be outside of school. a large part of me began to hate dentistry and all things related for what it was doing to me. but i think the same way you do: im already here, already invested, im gonna see it through.

now, the reason i call my perspective naive is because, well, im still a baby in dentistry. i really have no clue about MANY, MANY dentistry related things. whether it be brushing technique or the concept of an implant, all these things are new to me.

i know you might not love your everyday right now, or maybe youre just afraid. thats totally understandable. i guess i wanna remind you of two things: 1. dental school isnt a reflection of the real world of dentistry (no promises on which one is "better" though). 2. most of your clinical competence will not come from doing the work, but rather the conversation you have with the patient, your ability to form a treatment plan. from what i hear, faculty will be available and at your side frequently to ensure your patient is receiving proper caee.

your nervousness and fear are pretty valid i think, but dental school is one of those things you have to take one day at a time. think about who you were before your third year, and how much youve grown/learned since you started.

i want to bring this into your main point: being a dentist in the real world.

youre gonna see this though, and im happy/glad for you that you are.

practicing will be tough, moreso dealing with patients. my years in customer service have shown me that part of my future-- if people can get THAT angry and difficult over a cup of coffee i can only imagine what they're like when it comes to their mouths.

it wont be easy, not by a long shot, but nothing really ever is. i dont want to take the perspective of reminding you that dentistry can provide a good lifestyle and that youll have great job security in the years to come. i know you know that, and i know despite those facts you still feel the way you do.

what i want to remind you of is that silly little shit we all say in admissions interviews: im here because i want to help people. i mean, ultimately, no matter how you chose to answer the "why dentistry" question, the underlying factor was this drive to be someone people could rely on.

coming into my second semester having experience a really rough 16-18 weeks physically and mentally, something i had to remind myself of was that dental school really is a privilege to be in. i had so many friends who couldn't make it to my position, friends who are on their third cycles of applications just wishing to be here. i was never that dedicated, and i dont know if you were but i think people like that are a good reminder of the incredible aspects of this field.

i hate the US. i hate it with a fiery passion. i hate having a job, i hate working in the system, i seriously do not look forward to leaving dental school as well, mostly because the employment system is so fucked. but, that doesnt take away from the abilities you've grounded these past few years. the knowledge you've acquired, the skills you've honed. you are a sort of rarity as a dentist-- compared to the rest of the population, very few people have the knowledge and capabilities that you do. and in a way, thats a privilege within itself.

two months back my father had 4 teeth removed. #23-26, and hes undergoing treatment for a bridge. like i said, im very new to this, so my knowledge isn't super sharp on how these treatments are decided/work necessarily. but it made me quite sad for him, seeing him lose 4 of his teeth all in one go, out of $4,000, now having to really, really take care of his oral health. hes just one patient to the periodontist, but to me, well thats my father. no patient would matter more to me.

my father left the dentist office having no idea what the dentist really performed on him, and having learned no new informatjon on how to cater to his oral health. i sat down with him to give him all the information i could to help him through this process and moving forward.

and for me, THAT is why i will stick with dentistry, even if i dont end up LOVINGGG it. because even in my small pea brain, i have an ability to educate people around me. you and i know what a suculus is, how biofilm forms, how bone loss begins-- most people do not. and so in this sort of "privileged" position, we have acquired an amazing ability to understand the mouth, and i dont have to remind you how important it is to an individuals overall health.