A Sense of Belonging by Dr . Nipa Thakkar
Dental school was the most exciting and challenging four years of our early professional lives . After a whirlwind of emotions , we sat alongside our peers at graduation , reminiscing and looking forward to bright and exciting dental careers all over the map . We anticipated that life would be drastically different as we transitioned from students to productive career-driven members of our communities . By most accounts , our clinical abilities proved sufficient . Our interpersonal skills and ambition served as assets as we became associates , armed forces officers , practice owners and academics in dental schools . What we may not have been able to prepare for , however , is losing that profound sense of belonging school settings consistently provided .
While ADA stands as an effective presence representing our profession , it is not uncommon that young dentists sometimes feel isolated . Personally , I had spent four years immersed in ASDA and school activities . Although l stayed involved with my state dental association and its New Dentist Committee after graduation , moving to a new location for a new job made me miss my peers – those friends l had made through clinical and didactic struggles and victories in those four years .
I wondered if this was to be the new normal . What I hadn ’ t considered , however , was that our ADA , which has so responsibly cared for the well-being of dentists at all stages in our careers , had established an ADA New Dentist Committee and organized an annual conference where we could once again be educated , engaged and embraced by a reassuring sense of belonging and camaraderie .
In July , the New Dentist Conference at the Four Seasons Hotel in Denver , Colorado was attended by over 300 new dentists , including every member of the ADA NDC and many of our ADA trustees . The meeting highlighted leadership and personal growth . With special addresses from ADA NDC chair Dr . Chris Salierno and ADA president Dr . Robert Faiella , the meeting started off with breakout sessions
on leadership styles , program development and social media . The first day concluded with a wonderful rooftop opening reception sponsored by Wells Fargo and district dinners . Highlights of the second day included a Keynote session by Jeff Havens (“ Outsourcing Blame and Other Terrible Business Practices ”) and CE courses focused on implant dentistry , financial management and coaching successful dental teams . The evening brought a fun-filled picnic and Colorado Rockies vs . Chicago Cubs game that , although ending in defeat for the home team , was a true victory for organized dentistry and new dentists nationwide .
The final day of the conference included CE courses on insurance and risk management , treatment planning and medications commonly encountered in dentistry . Attendees took part in raffles for door prizes and received details on the 28 th ADA New Dentist Conference planned for Kansas City in 2014 . It was a glorious three days , and although I did not win a door prize , I gained so much more . I realized that in dentistry , we are never alone . True friendships were made , rekindled , and reinforced . I strengthened my skills at treatment planning and gained a handle on how to manage debt and my new income . I saw my first baseball game and discussed politics , dentistry and decorating plans for my new apartment with new friends . Overall , the New Dentist Conference is a big win for a young dentist in the real world feeling any desire to reconnect with other dentists , continue to develop as a leader and medical professional , and have a blast !
About the Author Dr . Nipa Thakkar is a 2012 graduate of Temple Kornberg School of Dentistry and serves on PDA ’ s New Dentist Committee representing Fourth District . Dr . Thakkar completed a GPR from St . Joseph Medical Center in Reading , and currently works in Falls and Berwick as an associate . She is currently a participant in the ADA ’ s Institute for Diversity in Leadership .
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