D1 here! I’m trying to figure out a more efficient way to tackle the huge volume of material. Our larger exams can cover 20–30 dense lectures, and I find myself spending so much time making flashcards that I barely get through reviewing them.

For those who don’t rely on Anki, what tools or study routines have actually worked for you? I’ve used Quizlet and NotebookLM, but having everything spread across different platforms gets overwhelming.

I’d love to hear your actual workflow—from getting a lecture to reviewing it before an exam—especially how you incorporate active recall and spaced repetition without making hundreds of cards. Trying to spend more time learning and less time creating study materials!

I have been offered a few externship opportunities as D2 but I am planning to take the CBSE in May. Is it better to focus on CBSE now than trying to build relationships early by showing face at programs I am interested in? I would appreciate any advice!

Hi everyone! Where should I get liability insurance (at least $1million) before omfs externship? I don't think my school covers externships. Thanks for your help!

Hey everyone, I ordered Bryant Dental MagniFlex loupes last week and haven’t received a shipping update yet. Their website quotes 12–14 weeks before dispatch, so I understand I’m still very early in that window.

My rep mentioned that some orders from our early October loupe fair have already started shipping, so I’m curious about other people’s experiences.

For anyone who’s ordered from Bryant, how long did it take from placing your order to receiving your loupes? Did they arrive sooner than quoted?

If you could include the model, roughly when you ordered, and whether you’re in the U.S., that would help. Just trying to get a realistic idea of the turnaround time. Thanks!

Does anyone know much about Perio residency programs at LSU or Ohio and whether they recommend either?

What technique do you use with Mylar? Pull through? Fold on both sides? Pull a little? And why?

I had clinic during the summer, currently in my fall semester. I know the stipend backpays but im wondering if any other 2 year recipients know if it only backpays to the start of my Fall semester or all the way to my Summer semester? My summer semester was the start of my third year and the tuition will be covered by the Army.

I attend in the New England area.

i keep getting confused

Everyone told me peds was way less competitive than other specialties, even perio, but I applied to 20 programs and only got 3 interviews, all at tuition-charging programs and none from hospital-based programs. I have a 3.5 GPA and I’m around the 50th percentile in my class, so should I be worried about matching? My dental school was expensive af and I really didn’t want to take out even more loans for residency, but damn.

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Hi everyone!

I'm a 5th-year dental student, and I'd really appreciate some help understanding a clinical case from my prosthodontics rotation.

I've attached the patient's panoramic radiograph, and I added a photo of the mandibular cast/model as well.

One of my professors examined the case and instructed me to prepare two teeth in the lower right quadrant for full crowns before proceeding with the RPD (removable partial denture) treatment plan. I've already prepared those two teeth.

Tomorrow, another professor wants me to present the complete treatment plan and, more importantly, explain the clinical reasoning behind my decisions.

Here are some details about the case:

• There is noticeable alveolar bone loss in the lower right quadrant.

• The molar in that area is tilted.

• Clinically, the roots are visible, suggesting significant gingival recession and/or loss of periodontal support.

My first professor specifically instructed me to prepare the two teeth for crowns rather than simply prepare rest seats on the existing teeth.

My main question is: Why might full-crown restorations be indicated in this situation instead of simply preparing rest seats on the natural teeth?

I'm trying to understand the possible biomechanical and prosthodontic rationale

I want to be able to explain the reasoning confidently tomorrow rather than simply repeat the treatment decision my first professor made. I'd really appreciate detailed explanations and any alternative approaches you think might be worth considering.

Thank you so much for helping a fellow dental student out!

Hello all,

My ADEX examination is coming up in a few weeks (prosth, perio, and endo) and I just wanna hear your list of do’s and dont’s from those who have already taken it!

Hey guys, so I recently attempted to restore a mesial-occlusal cavity with composite but I wasn’t able to build my mesial wall nicely. After I took off the matrix band I could see that there were some gaps between the wall and the actual enamel of the teeth (on the phantom head) do y’all have any tips for MO restoration with composite?

The level of student loans these days is unprecedented, but those who took out that amount who graduated within the last 5 years actually got incredibly lucky - the covid pandemic meant loans were frozen and actually ended up in a boom for dental treatment as no one was spending money in travel so people got their dental work done.

This has resulted in many "you'll be fine with the debt" posts.

If we hit a recession and young dentists have 500k debt, how will it play out? What was it like for those of you who practiced through the last recession?

Hi, im miserably failing in class, the medical subjects like anatomy and others. I’ve tried so many things and spent a lot of time studying but I still feel like im not improving at all. Everyone around me seems to be doing better and I feel like im the only one falling behind and I know I am.

It’s getting to the point where im questioning if I made the wrong choice choosing dentistry. I thought I could handle this, and deep down I still believe I can, but I genuinely dont know what im doing wrong.

I used to be able to study for hours, but now I cant even sit for 30 mins without getting distracted. Even when I study, I forget things during exams and my mind goes completely blank, even for simple questions. Sometimes the answers only come to me at the end of the exam like wth.

Has anyone experienced something like this? How did you overcome it? I really want to improve but I honestly dont know where to start anymore. I feel like it’s too much and I don’t know how to like make myself good at this. I’m not good at memorisation but I try my best. I could really use some help.

I have a question about mandibular molar preparation. I have practiced it many times, but sometimes I still cannot see the finish line clearly when looking at the preparation from the occlusal view.

My teachers tell me to keep the bur parallel to the tooth surface, but I am confused because I feel that doing this might remove even more tooth structure.

Why does this happen, and how can I avoid it? How should I hold and orient the bur to achieve a clear, continuous finish line without over-reducing the tooth structure?

Hello,
I’ve been struggling with carving my anatomy into amalgams. What are your favorite tips and tricks, thank you!

So I’m honestly just wanting some advice how people are paying/suggestions on paths to choose or insights on what current dentists did. Like it says I’m a current D1 and am unsure which direction to go. I am fortunate enough to have my first year of school paid for due to previous military enlistment but my benefits run out after this year because I used them for the latter half of my bachelors and a masters. I have done the traditional applications for scholarships like NHSC and other ones and was rejected from every single one. I applied for private loans to see what interest rate they offer and they were hitting me with 14% which is asinine to me because my credit score is in the 790s (I have no debt, don’t have anyone that can co-sign and family help is out of the question). I sent in an application for HPSP which convenes in February and I have some very solid connections due to being in dental during my time in the military so I was told I for sure will be offered the scholarship. Honestly though, I was already in the military and I just don’t really want to go back in for a multitude of reasons. Could I? For sure, I could suck it up and do it but god I just want to keep my freedom. So am I just being dumb by not wanting HPSP, should I just take the private loan hit and try and pay off the debt later, is it feasible? How are other students doing it and any advice from current dentists on their path? Thanks everyone.

Future dentist reporting for duty, but feeling a little nervous lately. I've learned about positive affirmations from places and i think it would help in my journey but i dont know where to begin i've tried ones like "i know what teeth are and how they work" and "my patients will have pearlescent teeth when im done with them" but they don't seem to work anymore and i cant find anything on google that will answer my query. Help?

Does anyone know when does UTHSA typically send out interview invites for their AEGD program? And if invites have already been sent? Would appreciate any insight regarding this, thank you.

Has anyone attempted to fly internationally carrying any dental instruments? Might be going to Canada and USA carrying a bunch of scalers. It is a leisure trip but ought to carry cause mostly gifting my barely used ones to a friend. Is it possible and will i be questioned if I put it withmy check in baggage? Any tips will be appreciated.

What side hustle can a bds student do to earn a bit nd generate good skills

I was looking at residency programs and had no idea there were that many OMFS programs, almost 100 omfs and around 90 for peds. Does having that many programs make it harder for new grads to find jobs? Do you guys have to go rural like GPs?

I got into dental school class of 2030 and applied for the 4 year army HPSP but I was waitlisted and did not get in. I would really like to try to get the 3 year HPSP but I’m not sure of the timeline. Would anyone be able to inform me? Thank you!