Next Gen of the Month is a monthly Q&A with a dental student or new dentist where we ask them about their experiences and accomplishments thus far in their dentistry journey.
Why did you decide to pursue dentistry?
From an early age, I knew I wanted to pursue a healthcare-related occupation. Most people I connect with fall into two categories: either they knew dentistry was the only option for them from an early age or came across the idea later in life – I was the latter. After my undergraduate degree, I took a year off and took my time to explore various healthcare options – e.g., medicine, surgery, dentistry, nursing, social work, occupational therapy, etc.
Specific to dentistry, I loved the idea of being able to create long-standing relationships with patients and their families, participate in surgical procedures, achieve high levels of aesthetics, and work closely with other medical professionals. Dentistry also provided me the opportunity to focus on what I was good at (pediatric dentistry!) and the option to refer other treatments to different providers (removable prosthodontics – the bane of every pediatric dentist’s existence!). Ultimately, I chose pediatric dentistry and could not be happier with my decision.
Did you ever regret choosing dentistry even though you did your research in your gap year?
Taking a gap year to recalibrate between my undergraduate degree and professional degree in dentistry was the best decision I could have made for myself! It was a breath of fresh air and prevented me from burning out in dental school. My year off taught me a lot about myself, what I prioritized in my life, and gave me the opportunity to explore varying fields of healthcare and research to make an informed decision. As a result, I was very sure about my decision to pursue dentistry, understood what I was getting myself into, and what my opportunities looked like beyond obtaining my doctorate.
That being said, the four years spent in dental school were rigorous, hard work, and I would be lying if I said I remained steadfast throughout. My moments of weakness were related most to the steep learning curve of operative, hands-on dentistry – a level of manual dexterity that most of us will not begin to hone until reaching dental school. Even still, I overcame these obstacles and have never regretted choosing dentistry.
Favourite memory from dental school?
Dental school was equal parts challenging and fun. Despite the countless nights in afterhours simulation clinic, long days studying in the library, and what felt like an infinite string of exams, I look back on my time at Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry (c/o 2021) with nothing but a big smile. Being in such a challenging environment only brings you closer with peers who become lifelong friends and while I can’t pinpoint a single memory that stands out, graduating after four grueling years with some of the best people I know is something not easily forgotten. Big shout out to my friends, you know who you are!
Advice for future dental graduates?
Slow and steady wins the race. When you’re in dental school, everyone is trying to do the most and see the most, and unfortunately sometimes compromising quality for quantity. I know most of us want to graduate and hit the ground running, but we have our whole careers ahead of us to do another filling, another crown, or another extraction. Enjoy making the most of your dental school experience with friends and colleagues who are readily available by your side.
Same goes for exploring dental specialties. Take your time to make the best, informed decision you can for yourself whether that means pursuing a General Practice Residency like I did, working as a General Dentist in private practice, connecting with current residents, or shadowing specialists. As cliché as it is, this journey is a marathon not a sprint.
What are your thoughts on imposter syndrome and have you ever felt it?
Absolutely, who hasn’t! I’ve noticed that imposter syndrome manifests in people differently based on personalities. For me, I experienced (and still experience) imposter syndrome because there will always be a first time for everything, and I feel strongly about doing a good job for my patients and myself. I overcome this feeling by recognizing my intentions and resting assured in my training and experience. I would rather experience bouts of imposter syndrome than be a novice provider that never experiences this, is overly confident and unaware of their own limitations.
Can you tell us about your decision to pursue a dental specialty and how your experience has been thus far?
For as long as I can remember, I’ve always had an affinity for working with children and adolescents. I grew up camp counselling, coaching swim teams, and, prior to dental school, joining a research team that worked exclusively with young people and families at The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH). Despite this, I knew that working with children in these capacities is not always reflective of “a day in the life” of a pediatric dentist – some days are hard. My first niche exposure to pediatric dentistry was as a clinical research student in the Department of Dentistry at The Hospital for Sick Children in the summer of my D2 year and I have not turned back since. Aside from getting to work closely with patients and their families, I shadowed and learned a lot about hospital-based pediatric dentistry. This experience pushed me to pursue not only specialization in Pediatric Dentistry but also a Masters in Public Health.
To this day, I love the medical aspect of pediatric dentistry and gain a deep sense of personal and professional fulfillment working with patients who have complex medical needs in hospital-based settings. Excitingly, I will be returning to The Hospital for Sick Children as the Craniofacial Pediatric Dental Fellow this summer!
Find him at b.linaksita@gmail.com or @drbrandondental on Instagram!
