How will science influence my life as a Dentist?

Growing up I watched my parents run a successful business in construction. As kids growing up we had anything and everything we could ever want, and I always knew I wanted to own a business that I could be my own boss and have a lifestyle like the one I had when I was little. I got to second grade and had the wonderful opportunity to get braces on! I spent the next SEVEN AND A HALF YEARS in and out of the orthodontist’s office, and call me a twisted sick-o, but I began to observe and think that I could be an orthodontist one day! I actually enjoyed going to the dentist and getting my braces adjusted! So, my young heart was set, I was going to become an orthodontist! But, I never knew the long road that lied ahead of me. Nobody in my immediate family, or even any of my grandparents went to college. I quickly learned that my path would require many years of school, so I accepted that fact and set out to realize my dreams! It’s been a long road and it has been a challenge carving the path as the pioneer in my family. I got into college and dove into the sciences and immediately found that it was definitely where I wanted to be. I was fascinated as I learned how the body functions, how medications are made, and the possibilities and potential of genetics and bio-engineering. I’ve learned everything from the laws of physics, calculus, what angiosperms and cnidarians are, what phylogenies are, and what matter is. It has been such an incredible journey to learn so much information about such a huge variety of subjects . . . but how would all of these studies help me become a dentist? Going to college has built a foundation of knowledge I will use forever, it has taught me how to study, and it has instilled in me a desire to continue learning for forever.

Science is a field of study that has no limits. There is always more to explore and always more to learn. The scientific method is a method that is designed to force more questions to arise and motivate progress. This directly relates to become a healthcare professional. In the past a dentist was just the guy that gave nasty shots, painfully drilled through my teeth, and struck fear into the hearts of anyone who stepped through their doors. While today that holds true for some folks, more and more people are realizing the importance of our overall health and how our mouth is the gateway to having good overall health. Healthcare in general is now coming together to form one big team. Physicians, pharmacists, nurses, and dentists all have to work together more and more to help our patients achieve good health in all aspects of their lives. With the way things are going in the healthcare world I have realized why having such a broad knowledge of biology, chemistry, physics, etc. is so important. As a dentist I am no longer only concerned about the health of my patient’s teeth, but the tissue around them, their neural health, cancer, pathology, and more. I mean, there is so much more that dentists are prepared to diagnose and deal with now than in the past. This is why the foundation I’ve built in all these different undergrad classes have been so important for my future as a healthcare provider. I can now connect the dots between different factors of the symptoms the patient explains and find the root cause and refer them to someone who can help them. It is exciting to see where healthcare is headed.

                It was the first test of semester one in Organic Chemistry and I looked down at my test . . . my heart sunk! After receiving my first D on an exam in my life I had to really take a step back and look at my study habits. I knew I had to make some changes, so I worked hard to really understand the material rather than attempt memorizing stuff like I had always done. At first I would spend hours in front of my textbook having to reread a paragraph 4 times just to understand what it was trying to explain, but soon I began to strengthen my ability to understand the information that I studied in textbooks. I began to go to class and understand what Ty Redd was saying and I realized it was actually Chinese he was speaking, it was organic chemistry. Things began to make sense and I started to enjoy what I was learning at SUU. After taking organic chemistry I really knew how to study and learn the material to the point of understanding. It was easier to remember because I actually understood the stuff rather than just memorizing it. The skills I’ve developed at SUU in studying will forever help me as a dentist. First, I have to go to dental school which is very taxing and difficult, but I know that the skills I’ve gained in undergrad will help me in being successful as a student in graduate school. Once I graduate and become a dentist, the learning doesn’t stop there; those skills will carry over as I continue my education as a professional.

                Lifelong learning is a huge focus at SUU, and being here the last 4 years has helped me understand why. There is no way to learn everything I want to learn in 4 years. Being here at SUU I have gained a hunger to learn more about everything. I am more curious about the why behind things, and now I know how to find the answers to those questions. Dentistry is a field with constant improvements and advances in technology and materials, and I will have to keep up on that. In cell and molecular biology I got good practice in reading scholarly articles (thanks Dr. Karpel ;)) and that will come in handy when I’m investigating whether or not a product is good enough for me to use in my practice. There are many CE courses that I will want to take so that I can be the best dentist I can be. All of this desire to continue learning is from my experience in undergrad.

                Becoming a dentist went from a dream, to an overwhelming path in front of me, to a reality all because, throughout my life, I’ve worked hard to develop a passion for learning. That desire motivated me to overcome the odds as a first generation student and push through challenging times to build a foundation of knowledge I will use for forever, to learn how to study effectively, and to continue learning all I can. My undergrad time at Southern Utah University has played a big role in that whole journey and it makes me excited to continue progressing toward that goal I’ve had since a young kid going into the first day of second grade with a new pair of braces!