Forty-eight aspiring dentists recently got an up-close look at life as a dental student during Stony Brook School of Dental Medicine’s annual Discover Dental School Summer Program.
The five-day program welcomed students from 28 undergraduate institutions across eight states as well as South Africa. Guided by SDM faculty and current dental students, participants gained hands-on experience in the school’s simulation clinic and advanced preclinical laboratory. Activities ranged from making typodont impressions and pouring stone models to using high-speed dental handpieces to prepare and restore plastic teeth in a typodont. Participants also took part in a full-day dental specialty boot camp.
“One of the most rewarding parts of this program is seeing students gain confidence using the tools and techniques introduced to them,” said Jeffrey Seiver, DDS, clinical associate professor in the Department of General Dentistry and director of Discover Dental School. “By the end of the week, they also have a better understanding of what dental school is really like and, hopefully, a clearer sense of whether dentistry is the right path for them.”
The program also gave participants the opportunity to interact with current dental students, faculty and administrators and learn more about the admissions process and the day-to-day experience of dental school.
“Experiences like Discover Dental School allow students to see the many dimensions of dentistry — from the science and technology to the hands-on clinical skills and the relationships they will build throughout their careers,” said Patrick Lloyd, DDS, MS, dean of the School of Dental Medicine.
Discover Dental School came on the heels of Stony Brook’s Dive Into Dental Sciences summer program for high school students. Together, the programs provide students at different stages of their education with opportunities to explore dentistry and experience the field firsthand.