Dental school often feels like you drinking through a fire hose. There is so much to learn in such a short period of time. Before you know it, you are treating patients in clinic and discovering where your true passions lie and where you can thrive as a practitioner.

Coming in to dental school, I first thought I wanted to specialize in pediatrics. I loved children and my pediatric dentist did a wonderful job at being kind, warm, and welcoming in the dental office. However, I soon learned that practicing dentistry on small, anxious children is very different than playing sports or games with my nephews. Many of your procedures occur in the hospital and you are constantly battling behavioral compliance. I decided this may not be for me.

Next I considered oral surgery. I loved the confidence that surgeons displayed in being able to cut someone’s jaw and reposition it so that the crucial blood vessels and nerves stay intact. They have a precise understanding of anatomy and can safely take out cancers, eliminate infections, rebuild jaws and faces after trauma, and much more. I decided to participate in an externship where I lived like an oral surgery resident for a week. Although I witnessed some amazing things during my shadowing, I still felt a lack of personal relationships with staff and patients and couldn’t quite picture myself in this role.

Finally came my exposure to orthodontics. I was introduced to biomechanics and force systems. The orthodontic faculty showed me how they had to devise specific force directions and levels in order to properly move the teeth in the direction they wanted them to go. It sounds nerdy, but I loved the aspect of engineering and physics that was required. I enjoyed the artistry of evaluating someone’s tooth display and ensuring all the characteristics of a beautiful smile were maximized. I also found it very rewarding to take a buck-toothed, embarrassed young kid, and restore his bite and smile to the way it was intended to be. What a joy it is seeing some of those kids get their braces off and no longer being afraid to show an enormous smile. I also realized that after I had been a Young Life leader in college, I had grown a big heart for caring for this age group of patients. I began shadowing private practices and loved the up-beat, friendly atmosphere. Here the orthodontist had to be a great coach and leader to the rest of the team to develop systems where patients would receive excellent quality care.

With my new found understanding of orthodontics, I decided to run headlong toward this pursuit and soon dove in to learning about the application process and how to secure a spot in a residency program. Stay tuned for my orthodontic education journey!