{"id":160,"date":"2021-03-08T12:00:37","date_gmt":"2021-03-08T12:00:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/drzmackie.com\/?p=160"},"modified":"2021-05-17T18:50:49","modified_gmt":"2021-05-17T18:50:49","slug":"how-to-become-a-dentist","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/drzmackie.com\/?p=160","title":{"rendered":"How to Become a Dentist"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

You have made the decision to become a dentist, congratulations! I know that is not an easy decision to make.  It took me a few years to make that decision myself!  In fact, when I was an undergraduate student at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor I was set on becoming a journalist.  I was even an editor for a fashion magazine on campus.  Then one day, sitting in a meeting talking about lighting and clothing, I suddenly felt uninspired.  I realized wanted to help people in a different way.  I knew I liked health and biology.  Fortunately, my uncle is a Dentist and I then went to shadow him to get a feel for what he does.  His passion for dentistry was evident and it was very inspiring! After that I was set to become a Dentist! So what\u2019s next? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Undergraduate Studies<\/strong>\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At that\u00a0time\u00a0I was 2 years into an English Major, which is part of a Bachelor of Arts degree.\u00a0 If I switched my major to a science-related I would be switching to a Bachelor of Science degree.\u00a0 This meant new requirements, a lot more classes, time and money.\u00a0 So, I stuck with my English major and added a minor in Biology.\u00a0 It\u2019s true what they say, what you major in doesn\u2019t matter all that much as long as you do well in your pre-requisite classes.\u00a0 Despite this, I do recommend choosing a science related major so that you have more knowledge in the basics of biology and physiology.\u00a0 It will help you in the long run!\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

In the summertime, I would visit my uncle\u2019s office a few times a week to get as much exposure to clinical dentistry as I could. Dentistry itself has its own language, so the more you familiarize yourself with it, the easier it becomes. You\u2019ll never hear the words amalgam, alginate, Tofflemire outside of a dental clinic!\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Those days were challenging. It\u2019s easy to question yourself and wonder if you\u2019re doing anything right.  But if you have the passion and vision to become a Dentist, then stick to that and it will fall into place.  After all, nothing worth having comes easy! <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

You have made the decision to become a dentist, congratulations! 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