My practicum was a mixture of both an internship and service-learning project. I worked in the field of Oral Health or Dentistry. My site location was Today’s Dental Associates in Catonsville, Maryland.
When I first began my practicum I was unsure of exactly what I was doing and what my daily role in the office would be. On the other hand I felt well prepared to do anything that I was asked to do. I felt this way because prior to my practicum project I had interned/worked in two different dental offices, one being River Hill Dental in River Hill, Maryland. I was interested in dentistry since high school, so early in my educational career I started to make connections with family friends and acquaintances in the related fields of Oral Health. My mentor at River Hill Dental was in fact my dentist ever since I was an adolescent. I first tried to do my practicum project at this office but unfortunately his office was full and he did not have any open positions during the summer. I would have had to complete my practicum during the school year, which would involve many time conflictions. But luckily a family friend of my mother’s, Dharani Jasthi D.DM, is the owner of multiple Today’s Dental Associates locations. I was able to work as an intern/dental assistant for the duration of the 2008 summer.
During my time spent at my practicum site I was able to partake in a number of tasks to gain an overall knowledge in the field of Oral Health. The majority of my time was spent shadowing the three dentists that worked in my office. I assisted each one of them in different types of procedures. I was able to see root canals, fillings, cleanings, crowns, and bridges. Being able to assist the doctors in their procedures was very interesting because I was able to be actively involved in what was going on, I was also able to get an up-close and personal view of everything the dentists were doing. I also helped maintain the upkeep of the office and supplies used on a daily basis, this helped me become familiar with the machines and tools used in every dentist office.
I learned an unbelievable amount of information and received priceless experience that will hopefully be very beneficial in the pursuit of my aspirations of becoming a dentist. I think learning the instruments used and the steps of each procedure were most beneficial to me. I feel like this type of information learned so early in my education will give me a head start on what I need. It makes me feel much more comfortable knowing some background on the field before diving into the four year long commitment of dental school. Prior to working in two dental offices I was unsure if I would like the occupation. However after working with so many dentists my mind is made up, I want to de a dentist and possibly an Oral Surgeon.
From my experience in the office I have learned more than just general terms and information. By working with so many dentists I was able to see how different dentists do things differently. The different dentists in the office used specific techniques that they liked to use and unique ways of performing procedures that make them easier. In the near future I hope to attain more jobs like this, so I can continue to learn and gain experience before I go to dental school