Graduate Student Stories

Research topic:

My research focuses on utilizing integrated care concepts for the delivery of preventive oral health care in non-dental settings. I am conducting my research using prenatal care as the setting for gaining this understanding and adopting qualitative research methods. The aim is to understand the approaches that health providers and service end-users consider appropriate for integrating prenatal oral care for British Columbia.

Why did you decide to pursue a graduate degree, and why did you choose to study at UBC's Faculty of Dentistry?

My decision to obtain a doctoral degree stems from a desire to advance my skills in academic writing, reading, research and analysis as I believe this will provide me with credibility as an expert and researcher in dental public health. I hope that my research will promote change in the oral health sector by proposing solutions to existing issues. I chose UBC Dentistry because it provides world-class learning in a culturally diverse environment that supports innovation. The Faculty of Dentistry is rated as No. 1 in Canada with a strong reputation for groundbreaking research.

What aspects of your life/career before have best prepared you for your graduate program?

My experience as a dental public health professional and my previous experience in research were really helpful in adjusting to life as a graduate student. Having learnt a strong work ethic, I could cope with the fast pace and expectations of the program. Flexibility and a willingness to learn were also helpful.

What aspect of your graduate program do you enjoy the most or are looking forward to with the most curiosity?

Despite the intensive nature of a doctoral program, I have found several things enjoyable. To begin, I have a great supervisor who holds me to high standards but is extremely supportive. My committee members have also been very helpful, smoothing any kinks on my journey to a doctoral degree. I have also loved the opportunity to be a TA in a variety of courses. Apart from the opportunity to network with other faculty members and students, the learning from doing this has been substantial.

How do you envision connecting your graduate/post-graduate work with broader career possibilities?

The ideal would be to connect my experiences as a dental professional with research, teaching, and community service. I recognize the potential for developing a health system that integrates oral health as a component of routine care. I envision the possibility of developing innovative models for educating and preparing future health professionals to address preventive oral care in collaborative ways.

What advice do you have for new graduate students?

I encourage future graduate students to practise self-care and give themselves time to adjust to graduate school, especially if moving from another city or country. It is important to decide what you hope to gain from the graduate school experience and to seek opportunities to achieve your goal. Being organized and prepared to work hard is also critical. However, if you need help, ask for it; a plethora of support exists for graduate students. Don't forget to have fun - graduate school goes by really fast, and it is critical to network with faculty and fellow students to form life-long friendships.

Research topic:

My research is a study of barriers and limitations faced by currently registered Canadian dental hygienists who hold a diploma as their highest level of education as they pursue further education. Evidence shows that completing a degree is of interest to current dental hygienists and that past diploma holders who have completed their degrees highly recommend that their colleagues do the same. However, despite these findings, dental hygienists in Canada who practice with a diploma make up the majority of currently registered and practicing dental hygienists. Therefore, my research aims to identify these barriers to further education and potentially have these limitations removed or decreased.

Why did you decide to pursue a graduate degree, and why did you choose to study at UBC's Faculty of Dentistry?

I decided to pursue a graduate degree because of the inspirations that stood right in front of me during my four-year Dental Hygiene degree at UBC. Each professor and instructor inspired me in realizing the importance of education and the effect that those who carry on the torch, so to speak, have on young developing minds. You have the ability to inspire and create policy-changers, advocates, and health care professionals that society will look to for assistance. Besides this, a career in academia helps fill my soul and allows me to constantly learn, not only through education but from others around me: colleagues, students, and patients. I chose UBC because of my experience at the Faculty of Dentistry. I knew this would be the institute I wanted to represent because of the faculty and staff. No matter who I have spoken to, each has been so supportive and offered genuine guidance; everyone here has an interest in helping me build my future, and that is extremely humbling.

What aspects of your life/career before have best prepared you for your graduate program?

As a double degree holder, I have a background in statistics and the sciences, which has greatly prepared me for my graduate program. I also completed a research project during the fourth year of my Dental Hygiene degree which gave me the opportunity to "get my toes wet" and see how I felt about research. I quickly realized that research was the perfect way to add to the current knowledge base and bring forth new ideas. My past knowledge and experiences have helped to prepare and catapult me into my graduate program.

What aspect of your graduate program do you enjoy the most or are looking forward to with the most curiosity?

I am most looking forward to retrieving survey responses and being able to analyze the data for themes and statistics. I am excited to see the results that my research provides and how information from the study can be used to help currently registered dental hygienists, holding diplomas as their highest level of education, to seek further education if they wish to do so.

How do you envision connecting your graduate/post-graduate work with broader career possibilities?

I have been working towards connecting my graduate work with a career in academia where I can expand the minds of younger colleagues and also continue to expand on my current research to alleviate barriers for all those seeking to further their education. I will also look for opportunities to get involved with dental hygiene regulatory bodies.

What advice do you have for new graduate students?

Take the leap! Going into graduate studies can seem quite daunting at first, especially if you do not have past research experience. There are a plethora of resources available to help you get started and work through your graduate studies. Think hard about what interests you within research and how you want to make a change - you will basically be married to your topic for the next few years!

Research topic:

I am currently working on structural deformities left on the XP file system after use in a specialty clinic setting. The XP file system is a relatively novel file system that does not rely on file taper like traditional file systems and rotates in an off-center manner to clean nooks and crannies that were not reachable by previously-introduced file systems. However, it is an expensive system to use and is understandably mostly being used in specialty practices. It is also used at much higher speeds (RPM) than traditional files. Thus, it is important to know what structural deformities are left on the file after regular use to be able to calculate the limits of the system and prevent/minimize intra-operational accidents.

Why did you decide to pursue a graduate degree, and why did you choose to study at UBC's Faculty of Dentistry?

In dentistry, unlike in medicine (at least in Canada), you don't have to specialize in order to practise. In fact, most dentistry graduates choose to practise general dentistry, either doing a bit of everything or devoting their practice to certain aspects that they enjoy more. However, no matter how good you are, there are certain procedures or complications that require more specialized training to handle. That's where my vision came in. I always wanted to be a specialist. As a general dentist, I knew I was really good at a number of disciplines, but I wanted to be great at a certain discipline. I wanted to be able to help my patients, as well as my fellow dentists, with those procedures and hopefully be able to help them to save the natural teeth for as long as possible. I chose UBC Graduate Endodontics, mainly because I know how well the Endo program is designed and operated here. The faculty in our division are world-renowned, and for me it is an honour and a privilege to be trained by them. At the same time, being from North Vancouver, UBC was obviously the most convenient option for me.

What aspects of your life/career before have best prepared you for your graduate program?

Perseverance is one trait that I attribute a lot of my success to. Having a strong mind is a great help when you embark in graduate training. While it is wonderful to be in a graduate program, it is not always easy, so it is crucial to be able to overcome adversity and keep moving forward if you are planning to attend a graduate program. I used to say, "if they throw me out of the door, I'll find a window and will crawl back in," and to this day that has been my motto.

What aspect of your graduate program do you enjoy the most or are looking forward to with the most curiosity?

At the end of the day, I am a clinician first and researcher next. In my specialty, we deal with people who are in pain. Tooth pain has been shown in literature to be among the worst types of pain a human can experience. The fact that I can help take my patients out of pain gives me the biggest satisfaction and makes me super happy when I'm able to provide the service. The other aspect of my specialty is that we strive to save the natural dentition for as long as possible, which in my mind is a noble goal.

How do you envision connecting your graduate/post-graduate work with broader career possibilities?

I used to practise in a city in Northern BC. At that time, we didn't have a resident endodontist there. We were grateful to the endodontists that would fly up to see our patients, but we still usually had a backlog. When I graduate, if the situation is still the same, I would like to go back and serve the people of Northern BC with my specialist training.

What advice do you have for new graduate students?

The human mind and brain is an immensely powerful thing. When you envision a dream, things will start happening in the universe. But for that vision to become reality, you also have to put in a lot of hard work without losing sight of your goal. There are a lot of bumps along the way, but as long as you keep moving towards your target, it is just a matter of time before your dreams become reality.

Research topic:

My research project focuses on pediatric dentists' knowledge and utilization of teething management strategies in Canada. A number of home remedies including cold food/liquid and products in the market, such as teething toys, jewelry, over-the-counter homeopathic remedies, teething gels/droplets, and analgesics, are available in the market to assist parents to manage their children's teething symptoms at home. However, it appears that limited information is known about its effectiveness and the impact to children's health. Despite the limited knowledge, such products are still available to manage teething symptoms at home. Thus, my study aims to determine Canadian pediatric dentists' current knowledge, opinions, and behaviors of currently-available products and strategies intended to manage the symptoms associated with teething in order to help raise awareness among pediatric dentists treating this vulnerable population.

Why did you decide to pursue a graduate degree, and why did you choose to study at UBC's Faculty of Dentistry?

I decided to pursue a graduate degree because of my love of working with children. Pursuing such a degree has broadened my perspectives and knowledge beyond individual patient care. The combined MSc in Craniofacial Science with Diploma in Pediatric Dentistry at UBC has provided me the opportunity to further advance my clinical and patient management skills at both the B.C. Children's Hospital (BCCH) and at the main campus in Vancouver, while continuing to conduct research.

What aspects of your life/career before have best prepared you for your graduate program?

Studying for my undergraduate degree in Sciences at UBC has built the foundation and equipped me with the flexibility to study, travel, and work globally. Upon completion of my dental school at Boston University, I completed the Advanced Education in General Dentistry residency program at the University of Rochester, then transitioned to Singapore to work as a general dentist treating solely the pediatric population. During this journey, I met wonderful mentors and friends who have shared their valuable clinical experiences from different clinical settings, but who have also become my life-long friends; this ultimately makes me who and where I am now.

What aspect of your graduate program do you enjoy the most or are looking forward to with the most curiosity?

The most enjoyable part of the program is the hands-on experiences at UBC and BCCH, and the interactions with children, parents, and fellow dental students. Personally, my most rewarding experience is the ability to provide care with or without sedation or in a hospital setting that would otherwise not be possible chairside by the referring doctor. Spending time talking with parents also makes me realize the challenges they face and inspires me to come up with new initiatives for providing dental care at home. I also enjoy teaching dental students very much as I can share my experiences and further strengthen my knowledge when I verbalize or demonstrate the skills.

How do you envision connecting your graduate/post-graduate work with broader career possibilities?

This program provides me the opportunity to learn fascinating hands-on and patient management skills at both UBC and BCCH. All this has prepared me to become a better clinician, teacher, and researcher so that I can achieve my goals of both practising outside the school setting and teaching the next generation of dentists and pediatric dentists in the future.

What advice do you have for new graduate students?

We all come in with different backgrounds and while we may at times be overwhelmed by the extent of the coursework, do not be afraid to ask questions or make mistakes and enjoy the moment! This will definitely stimulate deeper thinking and help promote better understanding in the long term.

Research topic:

My research project is on the effectiveness of different irrigation protocols in artificial pulp tissue removal from simulated internal resorption cavities. As the shape of internal inflammatory resorption (IRR) is highly irregular, mechanical instrumentation alone cannot adequately address it. Consequently, the use of irrigation and supplemental techniques such as ultrasonic activation of irrigant solutions is of additional importance in management of IRR space. We are using a novel 3D model of IRR defects and testing the performance of different irrigation procedures in disinfecting those defects.

Why did you decide to pursue a graduate degree, and why did you choose to study at UBC's Faculty of Dentistry?

Throughout my professional journey as a general dentist, I was always fascinated with dental pain, its referral pathways and the ambiguity of its presentation. All too often I saw the anxiety and avoidance behaviour it caused in patients and the impact it had on a person's quality of life. I wanted to become an expert in diagnosis and management of odontogenic pain and preservation of natural dentition - an endodontist. CE courses only provided me with surface information and I was keen to really invest the time and effort to develop the skillset in a structured postgraduate program.

The Combined MSc and Diploma in Endodontics at UBC first caught my eye when I saw the high quality of endodontic care provided by its alumni in private practice. The program faculty are known worldwide as innovative leaders in the field of endodontic research and to be mentored by them is a privilege. The program has a very high caliber of clinical instructors, allows residents to experience a wide range of treatment techniques and philosophies, and also thoroughly prepares its students for the National Dental Specialty Boards.

What aspects of your life/career before have best prepared you for your graduate program?

I believe the two main factors that have helped me the most are the clinical experience as a general dentist and my constant pursuit of excellence through continuing education. Working for a number of years before committing to specialty has developed me into a comprehensive, restoratively-driven dentist and gave me unique insight into the patient-referrer-specialist relationship. Completion of multiple graduate programs pushed me to be a critical thinker and taught me to manage my time effectively.

What aspect of your graduate program do you enjoy the most or are looking forward to with the most curiosity?

My absolute favourite aspects of the program are patient care and Friday seminars. I find that every clinical session is an amazing opportunity to learn something new, whether it is different tooth anatomy, challenging diagnoses, or management of a medically-compromised patient. I thrive on the ability to bounce ideas off my peers and instructors and also apply the techniques we learn in seminars and lectures to real-life situations. After clinical care, the next thing I look forward to the most are Friday classes - each week we have resident case presentations and mock oral exam cases. These seminars help us identify any gaps in our knowledge and also push us to be more critical of our diagnostic skills.

How do you envision connecting your graduate/post-graduate work with broader career possibilities?

If the experiences of the alumni of this program are anything to go by, then the possibilities are endless. Once I graduate, I envision myself working predominantly in a private practice setting while continuing to give back to the profession through academic involvement and outreach experiences. I am also considering positions of governance and policy development within specialty and dental professional associations.

What advice do you have for new graduate students?

You are the author of your own ambition. Be curious, ask questions, share knowledge and take advantage of every opportunity to learn. If there is anything that completing this program during a global pandemic has also taught me, it is to always be prepared to adapt.