|
|
|
|
|
 |
 |
|
 |
|
|
|
As a first-year dental student, I see many
3rd and 4th year students who are already married
and have children. I had always planned on waiting to have a family
until after dental school, but now I'm rethinking that decision. Do you
have any thoughts on the topic?
The answer to this question absolutely depends on whether you are
male or female. I was married before I started dental school,
and the long hours of studying and lab work were very taxing. Lucky for
me I had a very supportive spouse. I think if the student is in a
very open relationship, where the non-dentist spouse can handle
everything, things should be fine.
As for children, I have NO idea how any woman can have a child during
dental school. I think it would be easier for a male to have a
child during school. Just my opinion, but I couldn't imagine
fighting morning sickness while studying for a test or boards.
Laurene Grabill, DMD
Dr. Grabill is a 1997 Graduate of Temple
University. She was formally a member of the ADA Committee on
the New Dentist and served as a consultant for the PDA’s New
Dentist Committee. She is a general dentist and solo practitioner
in Chester. You can contact Dr. Grabill if you wish to
inquire with her further.
I was one of the members of my class that had a child before
the start of dental school. My son was 11 months old on my first
day. I have to admit that I didn’t get to participate in his
life much during school. There is a different mindset that you have
to have to make it through school with kids. Everyday I had to
remind myself of the priorities of the day, either test-task-family,
task-family-test, or family-test-task. I didn’t participate
in many school activities or party with my classmates, I used that time
for family. So, in a sense, I missed out on some of the
“school experience,” and I also missed out on some of
my child’s “firsts.” It’s a hard balance to
strike, but not impossible.
Wade Newman, DDS
Dr. Newman is a 2000 graduate of
West Virginia University. He is a solo practitioner at Bellefonte
Family Dentistry in Bellefonte. You can contact Dr. Newman if you wish to
inquire with him further.
| Question of the Month, New Dentist Committee, NDC, Dental School |
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 |
|
|
