Ready, set, go! What to expect in the first week of the DDS program

Hey friends, thanks for tuning in to Dental Pathways. In this blog, I will share what to expect when you start a DDS program. These are general events that most schools arrange for incoming students; however, every school has its peculiarities, and yours may differ from what I share here.

Access

Schools will arrange for you to get your ID card at the student office. This ID card is used to access clinic and laboratory entrances, and sometimes student lounges and classrooms.

Email

By this time, you should have received your institutional email address. Faculty and the school’s student affairs office will mainly communicate with you through this address. It’s a good idea to bookmark it in your browser.

Institute learning portal

Each institution has its own portal where it shares details about your curriculum. Schedules for clinics, rotations, exams and lectures will be available there. The names differ from school to school. It is extremely important to learn to navigate it, because you will use it throughout your DDS.

Campus tour

At the start of the program, the administration will arrange a tour of the clinics, student lounges, laboratories, etc. It’s a good idea to ask about campus transportation between these facilities and your home. Most campuses provide in-house transportation and have this information in their apps.

Clinic software

Each institution uses a different software system for its clinic. Ask a senior student or IT staff for advice on navigating this overwhelming-looking software. Sometimes a simple internet search or YouTube video will give you plenty of insight into everyday operations.

Dental instruments

In the first few weeks, you will receive several boxes full of dental instruments. These usually include restorative, prosthodontic, endodontic, periodontic and handpiece cassettes. You will also get bur blocks, impression dispensers, materials used in the clinics, and articulators. Buy instrument carriers or organizers, because it’s going to get chaotic very soon once you start simulation laboratory exercises!

Scrubs

Some schools provide scrubs, usually in standard colors decided by the school. You will be asked to choose sizes for your scrubs, lab coat and white coat for the upcoming white coat ceremony. How exciting! In my experience, it’s a good idea to have at least five pairs of scrubs or workwear so you can get through the week without doing laundry. If you live in a colder climate, you might also need an undershirt or a jacket.

Electronic gadgets

Some schools provide a laptop or iPad. The school’s website will also list the laptop configuration you need if you decide to skip buying from school and use your own. If you use your own, check your student portal and remember to deduct the cost of the device you didn’t purchase! IT staff will usually help you install all the required software.

Insurance

Health insurance is mandatory for students. If you have your own coverage, you can waive the insurance provided by your institution, which can save you several hundred dollars each quarter or semester. If you get coverage through school, you’ll pay an additional premium as part of your tuition each term. The benefit of being insured through your institution is that everything stays in sync. For example, vaccines you get are updated in your profile faster than when you use outside health services.

The first few months

These are just some examples of how the first few weeks of DDS start off. Prepare yourself for an extremely busy first two to three months. And I know you’ve got this! Try to be as organized as possible and plan your meals and workouts. Managing your nutrition and exercise will put you in a comfortable place when the long hours hit.

I wish you the best of luck and a successful time in this dream program of yours! It will surely fly by.

Dr. Apurva Dabak, BDS, MPH, DDS UCSF School of Dentistry | UC Berkeley School of Public Health