Going back to school?


This tittle does not refer to a recurring nightmare I actually have had. That nightmare comes with slightly different story lines, but in each  I decide to re-enroll in a dental school for a second degree. I can't say I enjoy having this dream and every time I have had it I awake with a real sense of relief it was only a dream.  Currently, though  I am going back to school in my real life ,since I plan on returning to my alma mater as an clinical instructor in the department of Cariology and Comprehensive care, sometime very soon.

I taught in a similar capacity at NYUCD in the mid 1980's and I have always planned to return, but life got in the way. Now that I am an empty nester, it is probably the right time and I  decided to return to teaching at NYU. I arranged for  an interview at the school and have received a tentative offer to become an adjunct clinical instructor at New York University College of Dentistry  for 4 sessions per week. I plan on being there all day on Fridays and for a two hr session Thursday mornings.

Dentistry is not just something that can be just learned in a classroom. It has to be "practiced" on patients and in dental school most of the clinical practice takes place in the third and fourth years. Students are supervised by faculty in their clinics . Real clinical learning takes place as students perform comprehensive examinations, get consultations with specialists  make treatment plans for their patients and perform the needed dental care. The students also perform dental procedures on their patients and their efforts are supervised by the faculty. If a student has any difficulties completing a procedure they have a  "safety net" provided by faculty who can assist as needed.

After four years of classroom and clinical training,  dental students graduate to become dentists.  In New York State, after graduation, dentist are required to participate in residencies and only afterwards are eligible to become licensed dentists by the State of New York. Throughout their metamorphosis from student to  licensed dentist, their faculty plays an  invaluable role  and I look forward to once again having the privilege to be able to help in their clinical training.

Although dentistry can take many years of practice to master,  freshly minted dentists often display a remarkable level of knowledge , competency and dedication. Their training is costly and extensive but in the end their investment of time and money is worthwhile, since most will spend the rest of their adult lives serving the public. As such, it is my honor to be able to do my small part  by returning to  NYU as an adjunct clinical faculty.

from Ask Dr. Spindel - http://lspindelnycdds.blogspot.com/2018/05/going-back-to-school.html - http://lspindelnycdds.blogspot.com/

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