By Dr. Seun Oduntola (2020)
Edited by Jamie Bieber
What GP are you in? What is unique about your GP that you feel makes it better than the others? *
GP4 (Dr.Cylus, is one to push you to your maximum potential clinically-wise and Dr.King will make sure you are very detail oriented in your med hx and all preliminary steps. The unique thing is that they both do it with kindness and sincerity only wanting the best for you and the patient. They were also very approachable and helpful.
If you were a D2 what advice would you have given yourself to better prepare you for clinic? *
Make sure you make a chart on Excel to organize your patient list based on the patient's name, number, day of availability, treatment needs, next visit time etc.
What is a trait that you believe is crucial for success in clinic? Why? *
Organization!!!!!
What was your first procedure? What went right? What went wrong? What would you have done differently? What did you learn from it? *
First procedure was removing an old composite MOD on tooth number 19. I removed the composite eventually and filled the tooth with amalgam successfully. I had a hard time distinguishing the composite from the natural tooth surface. I learned to take my time use the air to make apparent the demarcations between the composite and the tooth.
What has been the biggest lesson you learned reflecting back on your time in clinic at UMSOD? *
Be organized!!
What would you have done differently from the time you started clinic to the time you finished clinic? Why? *
I would have been more organized, it makes everything else work better. It allows you to get the most out of the experience and it helps you to zero in on what you and the patient need so that you are not stressed out later down the road.
What has been the biggest hurdle you have had to overcome in clinic? How did you overcome it and what did you learn from it? *
Having patients that did not necessarily want to or had the means to help you fulfill my requirements. I communicated often and early with faculty about my needs as it pertained to my graduation requirements.
What has been the best piece of advice you have received while in clinic? *
Stay organized and plan ahead.
How did you best manage the stresses of classes and clinic at the same time? How difficult was this transition for you? *
I tried to use my weekends very productively to study so that I was organized. It was a tricky transition because the time required for laboratory work was challenged by the need to study.
Do you have any insight on how to best have access to chairs and make appointments? If you do, what advice would you give people who are seeking the most efficient way to obtain chairs? *
Know well in advance your patient's needs and days of availability. It will guide you to which chairs (specialty i.e. Prosth, Perio, GD, TP etc) as well as which day.
What aspect of clinic did you find to be the most time consuming and how would you recommend a student go about being more efficient? *
Time management, stay organized knowing what you need, what your patients need and what is available.
What resources did you use to prepare you for Boards Part II? *
To study: Dental Decks, Mosby Mental Dental Notes To test knowledge: NBDE part II app, El Maestro and Study guides
What tips worked for you in getting patients to say “yes” to your proposed treatment? *
Having faculty come behind me to also explain the very thing that I just said using their credentials and expertise to my advantage.
What skills/techniques for certain procedures did you find particularly helpful when beginning clinic?
Making sure I used a dry angle for posterior maxillary restorations and I put two cotton rolls (one inside the buccal vestibule and one inside the lingual vestibule when doing mandibular posterior restorations).
Are you going into GPR or AEGD? If so, which one and why? What was the biggest contributing factor that led you to gaining admission to your program? What advice would you give someone with interest in gaining admission to that program?
GPR, I wanted more practice and hospital based-experience. The biggest contributing factor was their emphasis on fixed prosthodontics and how I personally fit in with the program director and current residents. I would suggest visiting programs prior to applying the spring or summer before the application cycle begins.
Do you believe UMSOD prepared you well enough? How so?
No
Are you purchasing a practice after graduation? What resources did you use that you feel were crucial in making this decision?
At some point potentially, not sure yet.
Who were your faculty mentor(s)? What was the best advice they gave you? why did you choose them to be your mentor?
Drs.Cylus, Faye, King, Koury, Morgan and Strassler. They all emphasized the importance of putting the patient first and making sure to be very thorough in clinical assessments and treatment planning. Also, they were always amenable to to talking about life after dental school and other important life topics.
Do you listen to any dental related podcasts? What are your favorite ones and why?
I began watching "The millenial dentist" "Un dentista en youtube" They are all high-energy and explain what the future of dentistry will look like, as well as evaluated clinical cases and discussed dental pop culture.
What did you do that you feel gave you an advantage in patient selection for boards?
Bilingual
What was something that you did differently from your peers that you feel benefited you in clinic and that you will be able to carry on in private practice/residency?
It was helpful to learn Spanish and I would like to use that going forward.
Would you mind providing your e-mail/social media accounts for future students to follow/contact you if they may have any questions?
Sodutola@umaryland.edu
If you have any additional advice/tips you'd like to disclose please feel free to do so below and thank you so much for your participation.
Set a goal of what it is that you would like to do or see before you leave clinic. If you do this, even if you don't get to do it necessarily, you will get a chance to shadow/assist. Take pictures of your clinical cases as much as possible, for your own gratification and so that you can show residencies/employers what you have done.