Expect The Unexpected

You read the title right.

You're probably reading this blog right now because you are an incoming dentistry student and want to know what to expect from this course and I'm here to ready you for what is in store for you for the next 6 years.

I knew nothing about dentistry.

I expected to get the real deal, right now. I thought that I will be having dental related subjects as soon as I entered dental school. But, it was beyond less than what I expected it to be.

I belong to the last old curriculum batch so my curriculum was different from what it is now (take note, I entered college in June of 2017) so let me tell you what I experienced versus what the new curriculum students have (I will base myself from what I know from my friends from the lower batches). In the old curriculum, the 6 years was divided into two: 2 years of pre-dentistry and 4 years of dentistry proper and in between that, we needed to take and pass the "battery exam" which is an exam consisting of questions based on the subjects we had in those 2 years in pre-dentistry plus , a few dental related questions (such as tooth numbers, oral anatomy, dental materials, etc.) to see if we are qualified to enter dentistry proper. Meanwhile in the new curriculum, a dexterity exam is given after their 1st year in the university.

I hated my pre-dentistry years, it really wasn't what I expected it to be which made me so bored to the point I was THIS close to shifting out because honestly speaking, although I do like dentistry, it wasn't my first choice but I took it because again

we aren't assured that our first choice would be granted to us. We always need a Plan A to Z, it would leave us less disappointed.

PRE-DENTISTRY:

Our pre-dentistry subjects were technically basic subjects like math subjects, political governance, Philippine history, English, Filipino, Psychology, Chemistry, Physics, Genetics, Zoology & botany, General anatomy and physiology, Personality Development (yeah I don't know why we had that, either) , PE , Logic, Philosophy of Man, etc.

Now do you see why I was bored? NOTHING RELATED TO DENTISTRY.

In the new curriculum, they had similar subjects and some subjects were combined, as well as there were new subjects like Art appreciation (dahek right?) , understanding the self, etc. I know there were other new subjects but I can't quite remember the rest. BUT, the curriculum division was non-existent. They never had pre-dentistry but they just had more or less the same things we had in the old curriculum but for a year. They still had PE though , for 4 semesters (2 years).

DENTISTRY PROPER:

Ah yes, FINALLY! ..... wait never mind bring me back to pre-dentistry.

When "this is so boring I want to shift" turns into "this is so fricking hard what did I get myself into, I want to shift ASAP".... I'm not kidding.

DENTISTRY IS NOT FOR THE FAINT-HEARTED!

Yup, you read that right. So if you feel that this is not what you really want or you're having second thoughts if this course is meant for you, it's never too late to change your direction but, it doesn't mean you're weak. But if ever you do choose to continue and finish dentistry, be prepared physically, emotionally, mentally and most importantly, FINANCIALLY.

Dentistry proper is THE REAL DEAL. The subjects are now related to dentistry, such as oral anatomy, dental history, general anatomy and histology. In dentistry, you still need to know the general before going into the specific so for example in histology, you first need to take general histology in the first semester then proceed to oral histology in the following semester. General anatomy is also divided into two : General anatomy 1 which focuses on the upper and lower extremities of the human body, while General anatomy 2 (WHICH IS SUPER IMPORTANT) focuses on the head and neck.

Now these subjects in the old curriculum were offered on the same year as the new curriculum , there was not much difference. The only difference with the old curriculum and new curriculum is that in the second semester of the old curriculum (for example, 1st year Dent proper 2nd semester of the old curriculum, there is a dental materials subject , while this subject in the new curriculum will be offered during the 3rd year 1st semester). Another difference is that in the new curriculum, there are new subjects such as Cariology, Implantology, Endodontics and Periodontics are divided into 2, to name a few.

If you were to ask me what's the most difficult subject I had so far, I would say Pharmacology (note that I'm an incoming 3rd year Dentistry Proper student and pharmacology was my 2nd year 1st semester subject). Why? Well, you'll understand why when you get there.

Pre-clinical subjects begin in the 1st semester of 2nd year in the old curriculum and 2nd semester of 3rd year in the new curriculum: Prosthodontics, Operative Dentistry (Resto), Orthodontics and Roentgenology to name a few. This is also the year wherein money will be splurged.

And the last 2 years to cap-off your life in dentistry will be your clinical years. This is where there will be patient-handling. There are 4 divisions in those clinical years: Clinic 1,2,3 and 4. This is also the most emotionally draining years. Why?

Your patient doesn't show up = no clinic work

No clinic work = no points

WORDS OF ENCOURAGMENT AND ADVICE:

Many dental students do not graduate on time, AND THAT'S OKAY! This is not a competition as to who graduates first and who gets delayed. Go at your own pace and if you fail a subject, it's 100% fine. You are not a failure. I personally failed one subject in my 4-year stay in the college. I did feel really bad because I never failed a class in my entire life but later realized that it was a blessing in disguise. Why? Because I have less units meaning I have less load and more time to focus on the subjects I can take, I have more options into what class I can join and even choose the professor ( Pro tip: enroll a bit late and ask around who is the professor handling the subject you'll also be taking ) , and lastly, WE ARE IN A MIDDLE OF A PANDEMIC! Being a regular student at this time is extremely hard and exhausting.

It is useless to pass a subject if you did not learn anything from it.

Although there are a lot of negative parts mentioned, there are also many positive things you will experience in your stay in the college of dentistry. Though I did encounter some terror professors, I met more inspiring, fun , good and empathetic professors wherein I learned so much that not only is applicable to my practice, but to life as well. Some professors even inspired me so much to become a professor one day, as well. I also experienced many lessons which made me stronger and more determined than ever and of course, friends I can count on and my source of support.

To end this blog, let me leave you with a few advices that I have learned so far throughout my stay:

1. Not everything will go the way you planned it to be but never let this discourage you. Keep chasing your goal, you'll get there.

2. Join an organization. I personally gained a lot from joining an organization and discovered a lot of things about myself that I never knew I was capable of doing and becoming, such as leadership skills, helping out in organizing events, etc. I also gained so many friends here. TRUE FRIENDS. And I honestly won't be who I am today if it weren't for them. Being in an organization also helped me A LOT in my academics. I literally excelled so much ever since not only because of the notes they have passed down from higher batches, but you can also seek help from upper batches especially with practical/lab work.

3. DO NOT LET BAD/HURTFUL WORDS FROM PROFESSORS GET INTO YOUR HEAD. Let it enter one ear and out the other. Trust me, there are some professors who can be harsh, sometimes.

4. Your pockets will hurt, save up as early as now. Dental materials/equipment is expensive, I'm not gonna lie. So even if you're a freshman, it's good to start saving up so you won't have the shock of your life when you find out you need something that costs 19,000Php and need it by the end of the week.

5. Dentistry is not a one man show. Help each other out and get through dentistry, together. If any of you are good at a certain subject that the other isn't, teach them. Help them understand and learn... BUT THIS DOESN'T INCLUDE CHEATING, OKAY?

6. Have faith in yourself. All things are possible as long as you believe in yourself and you work hard to achieve it. You can do it!

If you reached the end of this blog, congratulations! Now go get that DMD, bestie.

GIF Source: www.tenor.com