Catalyst

Catalyst: We all could use a little help.

[predentcatalyst]

16 Study Tips to Help You Ace Finals

With my sister stressing about her finals right next to me, I thought this article to be totally appropriate.

GOOD LUCK PREDENTS!

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Where I've been

Hey Predents. I'm ba-aack and I owe you an explanation for why I went off the radar for awhile. Since my last post in April, I started interning at an oral health company called GLO Science. Now, I work for them part-time, while doing grad school full-time. On top of all that I joined student council. 

Anywho, I'm back and honestly, you guys gave me the motivation to do it. i know I've said this before but even with no new posts, I've been getting notifications about new followers, which means the WORLD to me. I'm so happy to be of help.

Feel free to ask me anything, anytime. Just go to the "Ask Me Anything" tab  and submit. 

Much love,

Elnaz

[predentcatalyst]

You're the best!

Hey Predents!

I wanted to apologize for being MIA. Recently, I got some notifications about new followers, which is sooo amazing! That means that people still find my blog helpful and that makes me so happy. So from now on, I'm gonna get back to it and make sure you hear from me every week.

Much Love,

Elnaz

[valbertoespino]

Puro love dental #odontología #dentistry #amordental #vscocam #vsco

[predentcatalyst]

Dentistry lovers unite

[cotton-to]

"May 18, 2009—The glittering "grills" of some hip-hop stars aren’t exactly unprecedented. Sophisticated dentistry allowed Native Americans to add bling to their teeth as far back as 2,500 years ago, a new study says.

Ancient peoples of southern North America went to “dentists”—among the earliest known—to beautify their chompers with notches, grooves, and semiprecious gems, according to a recent analysis of thousands of teeth examined from collections in Mexico’s National Institute of Anthropology and History (such as the skull above, found in Chiapas, Mexico).

Scientists don’t know the origin of most of the teeth in the collections, which belonged to people living throughout the region, called Mesoamerica, before the Spanish conquests of the 1500s.

But it’s clear that people—mostly men—from nearly all walks of life opted for the look, noted José Concepción Jiménez, an anthropologist at the institute, which recently announced the findings.

"They were not marks of social class" but instead meant for pure decoration, he commented in an e-mail interview conducted in Spanish.

In fact, the royals of the day—such as the Red Queen, a Maya mummy found in a temple at Palenque in what is now Mexico—don’t have teeth decorations, Jiménez said.

Other evidence of early Mesoamerican dentistry—including a person who had received a ceremonial denture—has also been found.”

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2009/05/090518-jeweled-teeth-picture.html

strangeremains check this out

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It's more than just a smile. Discovery of ancient teeth decor.

[pearl-nautilus]

The earliest evidence of ancient dentistry we have is an amazingly detailed dental work on a mummy from ancient Egypt that archaeologists have dated to 2000 BCE

source:

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For those of you who are thinking of writing the DAT this summer, I just came across this video on Youtube. Student Dentist Gibby has a mini webseries on being a predent and applying to dental school. Here's a video about the DAT prep courses and study materials. Check out his other videos too. Note: Youtube is a great source for finding related content! Go explore!

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Getting Ready for Application Season

Good evening Predents...I apologize again for my absence. I know you're all stressed with school and the future and so, I'm going to try to make myself more available to you. As summer is approaching, so is the application cycle. The cycle opens on June 2, 2014!!! Here are a few tips to help you get ready for the date: 1. Start considering which professor you want to have write your recommendation letter. When you do, ask them if they are willing to write you a recommendation letter for dental school. Be sure to give them a deadline (about 6 - 8 weeks), as writing a letter of rec is time consuming. Plus, they are doing you a favor. 2. Start writing your personal statement. A strong personal statement doesn't happen over night. It takes weeks, maybe even months to prepare. A personal statement addresses three questions: - Why do you want to be a dentist? - What experiences have prepared you for a career in dentistry? - What qualities/abilities do you have that will help you be a good dentist? Be aware that you're going to write many different drafts and many different versions of this statement. Be honest and concise...no need to be wordy. Once you're happy with the results, have a professional proofreader review it. It's important to demonstrate professionalism and respect for the application process and the people involved. 3. Check this link for some tips on the application process: http://www.adea.org/WorkArea/DownloadAsset.aspx?id=23272 So Predents, start addressing these three points in your spare time. You can find more info reading about AADSAS and the application requirements here: http://www.adea.org/dental_education_pathways/aadsas/Applicants/Pages/default.aspx I'm here to help but you are going to have to put in some effort if you want to get in. So take the initiative. Cheers, Elnaz

[jesusandcoffee]

[predentcatalyst]

HAPPY NEW YEAR Predents!!!!!! Sorry for the delay, I was visiting cousins in Tex-asss, when I decided to unplug myself from the rest of the world. Believe me when I say, I thought about you many times. I wish you all a great new year and hope that your wishes come true. I know that my New York Predents are still on vacay so I hope you're taking advantage. Unwind and enjoy so that when school starts all over again you won't still be tense and tired. For the others who are already back at school, this new year is a clean slate. So start your readings, study daily, be active and do activities that interest you.

Cheers :)

[predentcatalyst]

What to do after midterms

Hey Predents, you did it! Midterms are over, Halloween is gone, and now you're probably settling in from that little break you took. Hopefully, your midterms went well. As your midterm results trickle in remember that the semester is not over. You still have a good 6 weeks to make up for any shortcomings. So here is a list of things to do from now till finals:

1. The best thing you could do is to go over your midterm. Focus on the questions you got wrong. Ask your teacher to go over it with you. I know reaching out to your teacher takes effort, but do it!!! You'll be happy you did because first of all, it shows the professor that you're dedicated to doing well. Second, good impressions go a long way. Third, you may address any questions and misunderstandings. Think of this review as a mini private tutoring session. Plus, it is the teacher's duty to help out their students, so take advantage.

2. After going over your midterm, take it again to see how much of the new content you were able to grasp.

3. Commit yourself to school. Aside from the required readings, assignments, you must make a habit of reviewing the material frequently. If you think you need a tutor then get one!! Some schools have peer tutoring or crash courses for particular subjects. Otherwise, ask your teacher if he/she knows anyone they would recommend. Ask your friends too (trust me, you're not the only one whose looking for extra help).

I'll be sure to let you know if anything else comes to mind. Just remember you have enough time to make up for any screw-ups you made earlier. Don't focus on the past and just take on each task one at a time. Peace.

[predentcatalyst]

Midterms don't have to be scary

Hi Predents! I'm sure most of you are busy studying for midterms. Just wanted to wish you guys good luck. I find that I am better prepared when I organize my time. Make a daily schedule for the work you need to get done. Prioritize your subjects and then write down the time slots you're going to designate to each of them. 

For example,

Org 1 [1pm - 3pm]

Bio     [3:30pm - 5:00pm]

Another thing I find helpful is repetition. Rewriting your notes is key!! It doesn't matter if they are text notes or class notes. Don't rewrite the information you already know. Doing that would be a waste of your time and you wouldn't be focusing on any new material. When you're done, go over them highlighting key points and then again, making side notes (i.e., little reminders).

Doing well in school is not just about knowing the material, it's also about time management. So, having a good study ethic will be really useful. Anyway, good luck! Remember, take on one task at a time. You can do it :)

P.S. Have any other successful studying tips? Message me and I'll share them with the community.

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Volunteering Abroad

In my last year of university, I participated in a volunteer trip to Nicaragua. Volunteering abroad was something I always wanted to do but didn't know how to get involved or who to signup with. The best way is to go with a familiar group who has previous experience. Our school organized a trip with Global Medical Training (GMT), a new chapter at my university. GMT hosts trips across Central America throughout the school year. They focus on providing medical and dental services to rural areas. Even though your focus is dental, you can also peek into the medical side and vice versa.

I highly recommend going abroad. The experience is priceless. Not only do you get the opportunity to experience hands on work, but you experience what I call raw dentistry (i.e., no luxury clinic or utilities). I remember my first few days were definitely challenging. There was just so many patients, so little help, and an unfamiliar environment. By midweek, I became comfortable with my work and I came to realize the difference I can make with my own hands. The help you provide means a world to them.

I remember I was examining a 5 year old girl and her whole mouth was covered in cavities. Her teeth were all broken, filled with puss, and all black. Some older patients had terrible calculus and cleaning it felt like I was chipping away their actual teeth.

Not only did we get a chance to help but we also got the chance to explore the country. We found the time to go for group dinners and go sightseeing. A trip like this one may be costly but what better reason to travel? Plus, the money goes directly to helping out the less fortunate. Till this day I speak of my trip to Nicaragua.

Check out the GMT website for any university trips or coordinate a time to travel alongside any school! http://www.gmtonline.org/ 

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Operation Smile is a nonprofit organization that serves cleft lip and palate children in developing countries. I became a volunteer for this organization when completing my post-bacc studies at Baruch College. Look into your campus clubs, see what organizations are available to you, and get involved. If your interested in opening up an Operation Smile Chapter at your school, visit: http://www.operationsmile.org/get_involved/student-youth-programs/university-programs.html

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Volunteer Work

Start volunteering part time. It could even be once a week, as little as 2 hours a week. It’s not about how much time you commit to every week but about the fact that you are engaging with your community. By volunteering, you demonstrate leadership, sensitivity, and responsibility.

Volunteering 2 hours a week doesn’t seem like much but it looks great long-term, when you say you’ve been associated with a company for 3 months, 8 months or however long it may be. Two hours a week is manageable even with heavy coursework.

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Get experience

Shadow a dentist. This is important because you need to know what you are getting yourself into. A few hours a week will do. First, start with a general dentist. Ask your own dentist about shadowing them. Later on, if you’re still interested, you can shadow a specialized dentist.

P.S. It won't hurt to audit a few classes in the dental program. Ask a friend if you can shadow them for a day. If you don't have a friend in the program, reach out to one of the clinical professors or call the faculty. They are definitely inclined to help you. Although you may not think so, professors get excited about students who are interested and are taking initiative to further their education. Plus, they're always looking for extra hands! 

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What's dental school like? Here's a video about life as a dental student from first year through fourth year. See what three McGill students have to say about their journey through dental school.

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DAT is a standardized test that must be taken for acceptance to dental school. It is similar to the MCAT. It covers bio, o-chem, gen chem, math, reading, and perceptual ability. The test is valid for three years so, take it when you have the time. Best to take it a year or two before you intend to go to dental school. There are a few ways to study for this. I took the Kaplan On Demand and received the course material plus online resources. I had access to 20 full length practice tests plus hundreds of quizzes and subject tests. I recommend studying an intensive 6 weeks. It’s doable. I studied everyday, 16 hours a day till test day. Don’t forget to register for a test date! Having a set test date will motivate you to study.

Note that there is a difference between the Canadian and U.S. DAT sections. The Canadian DAT doesn't have the math or organic chemistry. However, it does require a manual dexterity test, where you have to carve a cylindrical bar of soap into a specific shape. This section is difficult and the grading is strict, so purchase the soap and carving utensils early on and practice, practice, practice!! 

Here are some FAQ's for the Canadian DAT: http://www.cda-adc.ca/en/dental_profession/dat/information/