Final year student

Hi everyone,
I'm currently a final year dental student at adelaide and as you can imagine, i am spending some time at the moment considering where I should work upon graduation. Having spoken to students who have just graduated, they of describe receiving numerous job offers during 5th year from both local and interstate dentists of whom they don't know anything about. How can you know whether any of these dentists are good at what they do, are ethical and whether they will provide a good learning environment for a new graduate? Also, numerous people have recommended that I work in a rural area for a while to gain experience. Is this advisable? As I am sure you can imagine, it is hard for a student who hasn't been in the profession for 20-30 years to know this kind of information.

Can anyone help?

Hi and welcome to Dental Chat.

You ask some difficult questions to answer. There is no way of knowing this information about a dental practice unless you visit it and observe it for a while. You may know someone who has had previous exposure to a practice (or dentist), but even then, their perceptions might not be reliable. All you can do is talk to the dentist and get a feel for their practice ideals and ethics.

I think you are way too early in your career to be so cynical...

I am from Adelaide as well and wish you all the best in your final year, but as Steve mentioned, you should base any judgements/opinions on how you want to practise dentistry rather than be too pre-occupied by what other people do...

A lesson that I learnt very early in my career is that although I did not agree with it, does not mean that it was wrong...

All the best...

MC

Looking at it from another point of view.

The dentist employing you is taking a much bigger risk than you. A young, unethical graduate can deluge an established practice with bad will. The young dentist can easily move on, leaving behind problems which other people need to fix up. It happens.

In the long run what matters is your attitude. How ethical, compassionate, competent you are. That is what you can control.

In the long run a good working relationship depends on both parties. Both parties have to take a risk. This is what life is all about. Dentistry is all about people and this is just another example.

I don't know what it is like in WA, but in Victoria we can access hearings (professional misconducts etc) online from the Victorian Dental Practice Board. There is a list of them a few years long. Very detailed and worth reading. There are lessons to be learnt from all of these. Some of the hearings are for honest mistakes but there are others whose names who come up time and time again for stuff that is not on. They would be the ones you would want to avoid. There will only be a couple of people per state. When you decide what locations you want to concentrate on, see if those Dental Boards do a similar thing.

Also spend time with practices that you are considering joining. Watch the principals work. Read their Philosophy Statements if they have them- their kind of dentistry should be in line with yours (or what you want yours to be). Ask the principal whether they are willing to be a mentor. The first year out is hard and it is wonderful to have a good mentor. Pay subtle attention to the infection control- If the infection control is lousy, the practice will not be ideal. Your lecturers and teachers at school may know some of the names of dentists you willbe meeting- the dental community is fairly small. Also talk to the staff at the practices- have they been there long and do they like the job? Talk with the principal about things like amalgam- some practices won't use it at all which would not suit me. What do they have in the way of new technology- lasers, Cerec that sort of thing. Not necessary but a perk if you get it.

Best of luck.

It is necessary that after finishing study then get experience from related expert. so you should need to get experience from dentist if you get experience in your field then you will success in your life and many job offer will come so thinks about my point.

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Thanks everyone for your helpful responses. As a final year student I find everything a little confusing. I imagine the 1st dentist you work for has a huge impact on the way you practice dentist into the future.

PS: caleb, where abouts are you a dental student?

Jaze i'm 5th year student and i want to thank you for posting this thread.It was very helpful for me too because next year i'll be in same position as you!!!I can't give you advice but can wish you luck in future...it is important for you to feel comfortable and everything will be allright!!bye

Dr Lewell brings up some very legitimate points. The theme seems to be that you should be interviewing your prospective employer with the same gusto and pointed agenda as they would be applying to you.

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