By Amanda Amaro (2021)
Edited by Jamie Bieber
What GP are you in? What is unique about your GP that you feel makes it better than the others?
GP5
If you were a D2 what advice would you have given yourself to better prepare you for clinic?
Network with seniors so you can co-therapy upon entering clinic.
What is a trait that you believe is crucial for success in clinic? Why?
Courage to push yourself outside your comfort zone.
What was your first procedure? What went right? What went wrong? What would you have done differently? What did you learn from it?
My first week of clinic, I was assigned Urgent Care. To prepare, I interviewed rising seniors and made a step-by-step "cheat sheet" of what to do.
What has been the biggest lesson you learned reflecting back on your time in clinic at UMSOD?
Don’t be bashful in clinic! This is your chance to get as much experience as possible without liability. There's no need to be perfect, no stupid questions, you’re there to learn!
What would you have done differently from the time you started clinic to the time you finished clinic? Why?
I would have inactivated flaky patients sooner!
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?
Confidence!
What has been the best piece of advice you have received while in clinic?
Iddings: "Never say bite!" (Instead, say "close!")
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 schedule patients around exams. If I needed extra study time, I purposefully avoided scheduling patients the day before an exam.
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?
Regularly go through your rolodex to prioritize patients. Have the planned treatment swiped. Know what days and times your patients are available. That way, when chairs open up, you are ready to book! Reserve chairs with integrity. Ghost booking is not necessary for clinical success.
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?
Managing/prioritizing patients. Be sure to inactivate patients on a regular, rolling basis.
What resources did you use to prepare you for Boards Part II?
Mental Dental, Mosby, Mastery App
What tips worked for you in getting patients to say “yes” to your proposed treatment?
I think patients appreciate that (1) students have no financial stake in their treatment plan and (2) patients have access to multiple specialists for consultation. I tried to highlight these benefits to help build trust in my recommendations.
What skills/techniques for certain procedures did you find particularly helpful when beginning clinic?
Believe it or not, using a rubber dam was particularly helpful early on! It helps you avoid any soft tissue/tongue with the bur, you don't have to worry about aspiration, isolation, etc.