The Academic Careers Fellowship Program (ADCFP) provides dental students at UCSF the opportunity to explore academia through faculty mentorship and research- or education-based projects. Read what some of our students are working on below:
Increasing Value Care in the Pre-doctoral Clinic:
In exploration of a complete dental education experience, the pre-doctoral clinic is a major aspect of student development into future clinicians. Across the country, our students and faculty work together to provide the best care possible while learning procedures, patient management and administrative processing. While the student clinic is a laboratory for learning, it is also a business that produces a product in exchange for compensation from patients and insurers. With this in mind I am working through a retrospective chart audit from the pre-doctoral clinic to evaluate production per chair and number of visits for specific procedures in hopes to develop a further study on improving value and outcomes for the patients and the dental center.
It’s winter quarter here at UCSF which means third year dental students are 6 months into their time in clinic and finally getting into the swing of patient care. With only 6 more months until they become fourth year students, the stress of taking skills assessments and competency exams is in full force. To top it all off, they just started night clinic once a week, adding even more to their already full plate. Fourth year students are just 6 months from graduation and can be found studying for upcoming board exams and sending desperate messages asking for cases that qualify for their graduation requirements. Overall, it is a high anxiety time in clinic with colorful exam sheets being spotted all over the cubicles and students looking more exhausted than ever when packing up at the end of the day. All throughout first and second year we were just waiting to make it to the clinical years when we would finally get to practice dentistry and do what we came to school for in the first place. But now that we are there, it’s easy to get bogged down in the stress of requirements, difficult patients, paperwork, class assignments, or a procedure that doesn’t go as planned. As a way to remind everyone why we chose a career in dentistry, I wanted to hear from fellow D3 and D4 students about experiences in clinic that reminded them of why they chose the profession. I posed the question, “What has been one of your favorite moments in clinic so far?” and some of the responses can be seen below. Hopefully they brighten your day and remind you why we dreamed of being dentists in the first place!
“With the stress of getting graduation requirement cases, it is refreshing to see a patient who has a simple treatment plan. Some of my favorite patents have been ones with a short treatment plan, which gives us more time to connect as human beings. We’re not rushing to do multiple fillings or to get a final impression in one appointment. When they do come to see me, I got to learn about their childhood, their travels, and one even brought her grandma to see me!” – Brittany Zhang, D4
UCSF School of Dentistry Predoc Clinic, source: ucsf.edu
“The sweetest patient said she is going to look me up after I graduate to find out where I’m practicing and told me I’m going to be a great dentist. I was on radio rotation. That must have been some FMX.” – Karisa Yamamoto, D3
“One of my favorite experiences has been noticing tangible growth in my skills as a provider. My first crown took four visits (over 12 hours!): remove the old filling, do the build-up, prep, and get a good impression. It was super challenging for me, but ultimately I was happy with the result and the process helped me for future procedures. Fast forward 6 months and I saw the same patient again for 4 more crowns. With 6 more months of practice, I was able to finish the four crowns in less time than my first. I really surprised myself with my growth in that period of time. The best part was my patient was equally as grateful for the first long crown as the four faster crowns. She recognized that both times I was trying my best and had her best interest in mind, and encouraged me throughout.” – Elizabeth Grover, D4
“One of my favorite and most rewarding moments in clinic was delivering my denture! It was so heartwarming to see a patient who hasn’t had teeth in almost a year be able to smile again. When he came back for his denture adjustments, he was beaming and said that he had gotten compliments from his wife, and friends about how great it looked. It was validating to see six months of work come to fruition but nothing was better than knowing I had made a small difference in this patient’s quality of life.” – Rebecca Lerman, D3
“One of my favorite moments in clinic so far has been restoring my patient’s anterior teeth. She came in with chipped lower anteriors and did not even know that restoring them was an option. She was never given that treatment option before. After I completed my class 4 composite restorations, she was ecstatic and said she had got her old smile back. She told me she used to hide her teeth when she laughed, but now feels more confident in smiling. I love how dentistry allows me to enable others to rediscover their strength and happiness again.” – Albert Ngo, D3
“One of my patients calls me smalls. Every time I have to push his spot back he messaged me you’re killing me smalls. I had another patient that had to get the same filling done over a couple years and then I re did it and he was so elated. He went home and said for the first time his tooth felt normal and he could eat again. When I told him I got into ortho, he said general dentistry just suffered a great loss.” – Joti Kaler, D4
“D3 year. What a pivotal time as a dental student. It’s hard to believe we are already 6 months into clinic. Amidst the stresses of scheduling patients, administrative nuances, and overcoming all the other quirks that come with clinic life, it can be easy to lose sight at times about what brought us to dentistry in the first place. Our days are busy, but it’s so important to pause and remember the little things that make the long days worthwhile. For me, patient interaction and building a trusting relationship with my patients is a very important aspect of dentistry. I love seeing new faces day to day and discovering pieces of their unique stories. One of my patients early on came to UCSF because he was in pain, as many of our patients do. I quickly discovered how much he dreaded the dentist, not because he didn’t like us, but rather because he feared us. My patient was so anxious and jumpy before the exam – I was surprised he even made it through the door! But no matter the reason why, the important thing was that he was there. I knew it was up to me to try and provide my patient with a different experience and help make sure that pain wasn’t his only motivator to see a dentist. Patience (with patients) can really be a virtue as taking the extra time goes a long way. With my patient, the few extra moments I took to make sure he was comfortable, ask questions, listen, and communicate with him each step of the way, made a huge difference. Before my patient left, he had a smile on his face and said, “This was the best experience I’ve had at the dentist. I wish I could have had a dentist like you growing up. Thank you for showing that you care.” He made my day with those words, and I was instantly reminded of why our profession can be so rewarding. I was happy to have made a small impact on my patient and help turn what was a negative, fearful experience into one he could walk away smiling from.” – Sapna Saini, D3
UCSF School of Dentistry Predoc Clinic, source: ucsfdentalcenter.org
“After a year and a half of stressing and apologizing to my patients, by far one of my favorite things to hear is when my patients ask what I’ll be doing after I graduate and that they hope I practice close by. It humbles me and makes me feel good to know that they trust me to be their provider. I didn’t have the quickest appointments or the most beautiful work but I know I delivered my best and I appreciate my patients for recognizing that.” – Raymond Lee, D4“A few weeks ago, a patient passed on to me came in complaining of pain and a “bony piece” under his lower denture that had been bothering him for over 6 months. None of the previous dentists could see anything and radiographs were insignificant. Upon taking off the denture and taking another x-ray, we successfully detected a retained root tip that had been rubbing his alveolar bone for months. Working together, the attending dentist and I removed the root tip in minutes. One week later during his post-op appointment he expressed his undying gratitude for us in relieving him of months of discomfort. We have the opportunity to touch lives every time we step into clinic, and I am grateful for the skills I’ve acquired to treat patients in all capacities.” – Michael Nguyen, D3
The Academic Careers Fellowship Program (ADCFP) provides dental students at UCSF the opportunity to explore academia through faculty mentorship and research- or education-based projects. Read what some of our students are working on below:
Dental schools nationwide are striving to increase student diversity to help better serve our population. Schools have improved in recruiting minority students, but after admission these students’ needs and programs can be forgotten. More attention should be directed into mentorship opportunities for minority students. To do this I will be conducting a qualitative research experiment to understand the experience of underrepresented minorities (URM) at non Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) to understand if URM students feel that they receive a sufficient support system after being accepted into dental school.
On top of the typical didactic and preclinical courses we’re taking throughout the year, 22 UCSF students and I are working toward a larger goal: bettering the UCSF School of Dentistry as ADCFP fellows. The ADCFP (Academic Dental Careers Fellowship Program) is an opportunity for motivated, research- and education-minded students to work with a faculty mentor on a project geared toward improving dental education. My project, for example, is to implement waste reduction and waste management systems in our dental clinics and simulation labs and eventually to incorporate sustainability education into current practice and curriculum.
With a cohort capped at 22 students, UCSF’s 2018-2019 ADCFP class boasts projects with a wide diversity of topics, including depression and wellness among California dental students, the accuracy of UCSF student treatment phasing, assessment of nitrous oxide sedation curriculum, and improvement of the relevance of biomaterials courses. The ADCFP program as a whole is designed by national ADEA and has a number of requirements that help students learn about academic careers, including mandatory faculty interviews and teaching activities.
UCSF ADEA ADCFP 2018-2019 Cohort
ADEA Education Chair board members have the responsibility of organizing monthly meetings for ADCFP fellows. Here at UCSF, our November meeting featured a fun Jeopardy game with facts and stories from five of our clinical coaches! Dr. Diana Nguyen (DDS) reflected on a humorous incident when a patient inquired about her performing breast implants. Dr. Kurt Schroeder (DDS) shed light on his decision to go back to specialize in endodontics after 12 years of general dentistry. And Dr. Ram Vaderhobli (BDS, MS) shared some powerful advice: be thankful for the opportunity of learning and growth that each patient offers, which will help you become a better healthcare professional.
On a more exciting note, 11 members of our cohort will attend the ADEA Annual Session this March in Chicago, IL. There, fellows will participate in a poster session presenting their projects to dental students, faculty, and educators from around the nation. In particular, I am looking forward to the poster session as an opportunity to share my project on sustainability and inspire students and faculty from other schools to look into ways to improve their own sustainability. At this conference, we will also have the opportunity to attend three full days of plenary sessions, speakers, and workshops all about improving the field of dental education. It will be a wonderful weekend of student networking, bonding, and learning all made possible by ADEA, ADCFP, and UCSF!
The UCSF ADCFP programming is overseen by faculty advisor Dr. Wilson Hsin and run by ADEA Education and Jr. Education Chairs Auvi Tran (auvi.tran@ucsf.edu) and Claire Skach (claire.skach@ucsf.edu). Please contact either Education Chair if you’d like to hear more information about UCSF’s program!
Posters used in my ADCFP project on sustainability
To be honest, my decision to pursue a career in dental
academia came as quite a shock. I thought I had my whole career mapped out. Prior
to high school I set my heart on being a dentist, and it was my dream to have
my own little private practice in the Central Valley. Little did I know that
there would be several unexpected opportunities that would change my career
trajectory.
I first realized that I have a passion for teaching during
undergrad. I chose to attend University of the Pacific and participated in
their pre-dental program. During my second
year, I was invited to teach as a Supplemental Instructor for the Biological
Sciences Department. Basically, this meant that I got to hold my own biweekly
review sessions, present condensed lectures covering core concepts, and design study
materials including group activities, worksheets and mock practicals to
facilitate student learning. When Dr. Luthy first offered me the position, it
felt really daunting. Being naturally shy and an introvert, I never imagined
myself standing in front of a classroom full of students. However, I was up for
the challenge and accepted the position. I am so glad that I did because I
LOVED it! I remember staying up late and neglecting my own studies just because
I wanted to continue developing new study guides. (Don’t worry. I did fine on
my exams. I just got significantly less sleep that year). There was one particular
evening where I entered my classroom completely exhausted, wondering how I was
going to make it through the review session. Turns out, that was probably the
best review session I ever had. The students were really engaged. And furthermore,
you could tell that they were gaining a thorough understanding of the material.
There is a certain look students get when they really start to grasp a concept.
Their faces light up and it’s almost as if you can see a lightbulb turning on
over their heads. It’s seriously one of my favorite things. Anyhow, I ended up
leaving that review session feeling overwhelmingly satisfied with how the
evening had turned out and more energized than before it started. I felt like I
had found my calling. And ever since then, I have known that my career needs to
include teaching.
Dr. Venderova on left
Research has been part of my career for
quite some time now. Oddly enough, I used to see it as a really fun hobby that
I would eventually have to give up. I was so invested in my childhood dream of becoming
a dentist, that it never occurred to me that I could pursue research as part of
my career. It took one really amazing mentor to open my eyes to this
possibility. During undergrad I worked in the lab of Dr. Katerina Venderova.
One of the things I love about Pacific is that students really get to know
their faculty. In the context of research, this often means that students learn
directly from their PI’s and that they work side-by-side. The Venderova Lab
studied Parkinson’s disease using Drosophila
models, so nearly every day we would sit down and sort flies together. I
still remember the day Dr. Venderova told me that I ought to pursue a PhD. I
remember feeling totally stunned because it was completely off my radar. However,
that conversation planted a seed, and with Dr. Venderova’s continued
encouragement I eventually looked into applying for dual degree programs.
Histology Bench
Now I’m here at UCSF in my 5th
year of training as part of the DDS/PhD program. I am still working out
the details of what I want for my future career. However, I know that at least
part of it will consist of academic dentistry. Academia provides tremendous
flexibility and a wide variety of opportunities for intellectual and clinical
pursuits. For me, it combines three things that I love: research, clinical care,
and teaching. I know that I will never be bored. I am excited at the prospect
of not only contributing to the future of our field and to the design of novel
therapies but also in providing moral support for students. Dental school is rigorous.
There is no denying that. It gives me great joy to think that I will get to be
a Dr. Venderova for students in years to come, to encourage them when the road
gets tough, to help them find their perfect niche, and to foster their growth
as individuals as well as students. For me, academia is a place where discoveries
are made, great minds meld, and communities are formed. It is the place where the
sterile intellectual world of research meets the empathy and emotional
awareness displayed in clinic. Personally, to have one without the other would
be an imbalance.
AADR – SF Chapter
A career in dental academia might not be the right fit for
everyone. However, it certainly is an excellent option to consider. No matter the
career path you choose, I encourage you to discover what you are passionate
about and to pursue it whole-heartedly. If I have learned anything through my
career journey, it has been to keep an open mind and to hold my dreams loosely,
allowing them to change over time. Because you never know what opportunities
and experiences will come your way. The best ones are often those that you
never dreamed existed.
The Academic Careers Fellowship Program (ADCFP) provides dental students at UCSF the opportunity to explore academia through faculty mentorship and research- or education-based projects. Read what some of our students are working on below:
Nitrous oxide (N2O/O2) sedation is commonly used in dentistry to reduce anxiety and dental fears in both pediatric and adult patients. When properly used, it serves as an effective adjunct to local anesthesia. The goal of our project is to survey US dental students on N2O/O2 sedation training curriculum at their respective dental programs. We hope to elucidate how training curriculum differs among dental programs, with the overarching goal of standardizing N2O/O2 sedation training across the US.
The Academic Careers Fellowship Program (ADCFP) provides dental students at UCSF the opportunity to explore academia through faculty mentorship and research- or education-based projects. Read what some of our students are working on below:
Throughout the first and second years, UCSF dental students are required to assist as part of their PCC course requirements. However, students often get confused with which procedures they should assist with and how they can assist to the best of their ability, leaving the clinic feeling overwhelmed and perplexed. The goal of our project is to improve the assisting experience by maximizing the learning potential. Our project creates guidelines for dental procedures so that assistants know what to look for and how they can help. These guides will not only serve to streamline the assisting session for the underclassmen, but also ensures that the assistant fully understands the procedure holistically, and yields opportunity for any unclear steps to be elucidated. This project will serve to bridge the gap between pre-clinical and clinical education at UCSF.
The Academic Careers Fellowship Program (ADCFP) provides dental students at UCSF the opportunity to explore academia through faculty mentorship and research- or education-based projects. Read what some of our students are working on below:
We are Karisa Yamamoto and Rebecca Lerman, third year dental students at UCSF. Since our first year of dental school, we have been working on our ADCFP Project with our mentors, Dr. Sophia Saeed and Dr. George W. Taylor. The goal of our project is to research the prevalence of depression amongst U.S. dental students and identify associated lifestyle characteristics present in dental school and the broader society. We hope to pinpoint ways we can integrate wellness into the dental school curriculum and learning environment, and provide accessible resources to support students’ mental health and well-being.
