Dental News - Open letter from AO to this year’s new dental graduates

Academy of Osseointegration 2015-2016 Board of Directors

Tue. 30 June 2015

save

Dear Grad, Congratulations on your tremendous accomplishment! We have learned a lot over the years as individual practitioners, professors and a collective board, and now we offer some important tips to you as you go out into the dental world. Our top 10 tips for new dental graduates:

1. Learning never stops. Always stay a student. Find a mentor, or mentors, you can turn to when you need advice. Read at least a few peer-reviewed journals to keep on top of current thinking.
2. Dentistry humbles even the best. Be critical of your work and learn from your mistakes so you can do it better next time. Likewise, you should celebrate your successes along the way.
3. Be part of a team you trust. Foster mutually beneficial relationships with your colleagues — both general dentists and specialists — and communicate constantly with them in order to provide optimal patient care.
4. Make treatment decisions based on WIDOM. WIDOM is an acronym for “Would I Do It On Me?” If you are thoughtful in your approach, follow clinical guidelines and treat people fairly, your rewards in dentistry will be plentiful.
5. Remember all the “always” rules. Always “measure twice and cut once.” Always listen before you speak. Always photograph your work. Always audit your clinical results.
6. Fiscal responsibility lays a great foundation for success. Seek advice from a financial expert for the purpose of loan repayment and future planning. Be smart and practical with investments if you’re starting your own practice.
7. Excellence is a process, not an event. Continually challenge yourself to do your best. Define your five-year goals and renew them every four to five years.
8. Know your limitations. Be forthright about your level of experience and refer out that which you don’t feel comfortable. Don’t be afraid to say you don’t know.
9. Being involved in your profession is the best continuing education you will ever have. Be active in the associations you join and attend meetings when you can. Use them to network and learn how others handle the same issues you face.
10. Remember, you are in control of your own career. When you graduate, your faculty is not looking over your shoulder. There are no check-off lists to complete. You are now in control and it’s up to you to make what you will of your opportunity.

We hope our experience serves you well as you embark on this next phase of your career.

Sincerely,

Academy of Osseointegration (AO)
2015-2016 Board of Directors

To post a reply please login or register

Registration now open for the AO 2024 Annual Meeting

Plan to attend the Academy of Osseointegration’s (AO) 2024 Annual Meeting next March in Charlotte, N.C.

University of New England’s dental hygiene program celebrates 50 years of graduates

PORTLAND, Maine, USA: University of New England’s dental hygiene program is celebrating 50 years since the graduation of its first class in 1963. A ...

Exocad to participate in Greater New York Dental Meeting this month

DARMSTADT, Germany/NEW YORK, US: Exocad, a leading dental CAD/CAM software provider, has announced its participation at the 99th annual Greater New York ...

This year’s AAO Annual Session in Boston offers plenty to see, learn and do

BOSTON, MA, USA: From facial aesthetics through the ages to the discussion of early childhood treatment to the merits of cone-beam computer tomography, the ...

New dental implant research study open to participating dentists

Seattle, WA, USA: Global2Labs and the Northwest Implant Research Group (NWIRG) have announced a new dental implant research study now open for doctor ...

Align Technology is an official sponsor of this year’s Super Bowl

TEMPE, Ariz., US: As part of the effort to increase awareness of its Invisalign brand among football fans worldwide, Align Technology has become an official...

10 key takeaways from sessions at AO Annual Meeting

SAN DIEGO, Calif., USA: The 2016 Academy of Osseointegration (AO) Annual Meeting offered four days of sessions addressing issues clinicians face every day ...

ADI 2023 unveils this year's dental event, ‘Secrets of the Most Influential Dental Practices’ with high-profile speaker lineup

Renowned dental experts Dr. Jedediah Huss and Julieanne O’Connor are set to co-host the highly anticipated American Dental Institute 2023 dental ...

New advances in treatment, education from Myofunctional Research Co.

Recently, Myofunctional Research Co. (MRC) took the opportunity to showcase the company’s latest development in patient education, advanced intraoral ...

‘Striving for Perfection’ is theme of this year’s AAE meeting

NEW YORK, N.Y., USA: The 2014 AAE Annual Session will be held April 30 to May 3 (Wednesday through Saturday) at the Gaylord National Resort and Convention ...

Education

Live webinar
Mon. 22 April 2024
10:00 AM EST (New York)