First Year Finale

The number of days between me and my board are getting smaller. The pressure is on and I'm really starting to feel the time crunch & stress. The amount of information I am jamming into my brain on a daily basis is unreal. Somedays I feel like I'm not getting anywhere with studying and retaining the information, while others I feel really successful. I am using every resource I can find to try to get just a few more questions right each day. I've taken a few practice exams and seem to be on the right track, but it is really nerve racking. One test will have a bunch of questions I know and the next will be stuff I haven't touched on in months. It really is the luck of the draw with the questions on the actual test. With only two weeks standing between me and the national board, I am both nervous and excited to get it over with. I have been studying for three consecutive months for this test, and studying day in and day out can really wear down your motivation.

I will finish my first year of dental school on Wednesday! I cannot believe the time has passed. I remember looking at our schedule last July, thinking "how am I going to survive this?" Well as far as I can tell, I'm not dead yet! I am in complete and utter disbelief that I made it through, and without failing a class is a true miracle. There were a few courses that really challenged me, my faith, and determination, but God pulled me through. I feel like dental school has kind of been like my salvation. I didn't know anything of what dental school entailed starting out, like learning about Jesus for the first time. Then I started to get in the groove and had a good grasp of what I needed to do to understand the information and be successful in each class. This was like learning about the sacrifice Jesus gave and my acceptance of Him. Now I stand at the end of first year, looking back at all I had to overcome to be standing here, in clinic, about to take my board, and feeling an overwhelming sense of accomplishment and humbled by the opportunity I was given to begin my career in dentistry. Just like now that I have been forgiven of my sins, and am a child of God, I feel a sense of love, peace, and joy in my life that I cannot explain.

I honestly am so excited to continue my dental education in my second year, that starts in just a little over a month. I am so in love with my school, and the awesome education I am receiving. Even though all of my friends have been out of school for almost a month by now, I can't complain too much. I am so looking forward to enjoying some time at home that I've been deprived of this year. I have a few weeks between my test and school starting back up, and honestly plan on having no plans. My mind is fried and I think the most beneficial thing for me is to enjoy some rest and relaxation.

If you have even one minute of free time, would you please pray for me? I know that I serve an awesome, powerful, and loving God, and trust that He will give me the strength to endure these next couple of weeks. If you could pray for my brain, knowledge, peace, success, and a stress-free two weeks, I would be ever so grateful. My board date is June 13th, at 8:30 am (a time for extra prayers!). I truly 100% believe in the power of prayer, and would be honored if you would hold me up in even just one thought. Thank you to everyone who is continually encouraging me, showering me with love, and helping motivate me. You are a true blessing in my life and I thank God for people like you. Also, thanks to everyone who has listened to me complain about anything in the past year. I've been so stressed, it is crazy and I know it can get annoying to hear someone be so negative at times. So, forgive me, and thank you. I seriously would not have made it through this year without the support, love, and encourage from you.

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God." -Philippians 4:6

NBDE: Part I Prep

I went on an amazing trip to the Middle East in March, to Israel & Jordan. While I was away school was the last thing on my mind, but as soon as I got back home, school was right back to crazy. I began studying for my National Dental Board Exam when I returned home, while school calmed down a bit. My scheduled board date is June 13th, so studying is taking every ounce of free time I see.

For those of you out of the dental loop, the NBDE is a standardized test required by all dental students in the U.S. It is an 4 section test with 100 questions in each of the following areas:

• Microbiology/Pathology
• Biochemistry/Physiology
• General Anatomy
• Dental Anatomy/Occlusion

There is a lot of information that is covered in these topics, and studying is an absolute must. There are two parts, the second part I will be taking after my third year of dental school. You must pass both parts of the NBDE to sit for the clinical test and licensure exam. That being said, we have had review courses built into our class schedule, as well as readiness exams in each of the topics. There are so many study aids available, that it is hard to choose just one. I've been using a book called First Aid for the NBDE, NBDE Mastery App, and Dental Decks. The book is a 675 page review of everything you need to know. Yeah, almost 700 pages, no big deal. The App and Dental Decks are just a ton of practice questions with explanations. I think the main key is practice questions, because they are rotated and reused throughout the years. This test used to be graded, but is now just pass/fail. Passing requirements are a 70%. Sorry to bore you with all that.

Oscar- my patient 

We have been doing a lot of work in the Simulation Clinic, where we each have a "Dummy" that has a magnetic set of teeth that snap into it's mouth. Each bench provides all the necessities that we need to perform procedures. It is so nice to be able to work in a clinic that is brand new. All my instruments and tools are in pristine condition and it feels glorious!
We have learned how to:

• place a rubber dam

• place a matrix band and wedge

• place a sectional matrix system

• drill all different cavity preparation

• place all different types of amalgam fillings

• place all different types of composite fillings

• place glass ionomer fillings

• "fix" a pulp exposure

I enjoy spending time in the lab and improving my hand skills and abilities, clinic is much better than sitting in lecture for eight hours a day. I can already see improvements in my drilling and precision. 

I get out of school on June 3rd, take my board June 13th, and go back to school July 13th. All I humbly ask for is your prayers. Dental school is one stressful place, and add studying for a huge test into the middle of it and you're bound to have a mental breakdown. Pray that I will be able to focus, understand, and retain all the information I'm studying. Pray that I will be calm, collected, and confident while taking my test. Also, pray that I will PASS the test, since that is ultimately the goal. Lastly, pray that the three weeks I have off school would be refreshing, rejuvenating, and restful. I honestly cannot believe how fast this year has went. I can't believe I'm studying for my board and only about a month away from taking it. Lastly, I cannot believe how incredibly blessed I am to be sitting in the seat I am. To God be the glory, forever.

"Fixing" pulp exposure 

Amalgam Class I 

Amalgam Class II

Class II Amalgam Prep

Class II Amalgam Prep

Composite Class V

Amalgam Class II

Amalgam Class I 

Amalgam Class V

       

Composite Class II