01 April 2025

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Think Big! emphasizes transition into practice

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Making the transition from student to professional can be daunting. Despite all the training and repetition, it can be a stressful time for any oral health care practitioner. Adams School of Dentistry hopes to alleviate the pressures of this time and ease learners through the transition from educational environment to practice or residency with a workshop specifically designed for fourth year dental students about to make that leap. This year’s event will take place April 24-25.

ASOD’s Rocio Quinonez, DMD, MS ’00, MPH ’03, Richard Hunt, DDS ’89, Jack King, DDS ’83, Billy Williams, DDS ’85, Keith Phillips, DDS ’88, and Mark Hyman, DDS ’84, created a practice connector called Think Big!, to help graduating students transition into practice as part of the curriculum transformation efforts.

“Creating Think Big! provided a strategy to ease the transition from dental school to practice or residency and is a way to engage students, faculty and alumni while expanding students’ knowledge as they develop their future outlook,” King said.

The first workshop was held in 2021 and has grown into a mandatory transition event for all fourth-year students. Students are able to take time outside the classroom, reflect on their experiences and work with other students, educators and alumni as they look ahead to what’s next when they graduate. They are exposed to mentorship opportunities and gain access to knowledgeable, practicing alumni and dental professionals that can share their experiences.

“We launched this program to help students transition. Transitions are built into the curriculum for entry into dental school to set students up for success and focus on elements around the profession and professionalism. We have a transition into more intensive clinic experiences, and we end with Think Big! as the transition into practice,” Quinonez said.

Student participants and facilitators noted the value of the two-day workshop, specifically the small group interactions and financial education and visioning. The course is based on the Stephen Covey book “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People” and challenges students to picture what life as an oral health practitioner entails, focusing on self, teams, and community

“Think Big! challenged me to envision my life beyond the walls of UNC Adams School of Dentistry. It allowed me to collaborate with dental mentors and gave me a direct line to dentists practicing in North Carolina. I was able to learn from testimonies about the highs and lows of life in practice all while reflecting on my goals for the future. This seminar was invaluable to my professional growth and dental network and was the perfect way to conclude my time at UNC!” said Lauren Wilson, DDS ’24.

“Think Big! was a great reminder of why I wanted to become a dentist,” said Matt Manley, DDS ’24. “Talking with the faculty, dentists, and guests encouraged me. The last semester of dental school feels like coming to the end of a long-distance run, and getting encouragement and advice from these mentors and building relationships was priceless. Thank you, UNC Faculty and team, for helping prime us for graduation!”

With such success, maintaining the momentum is key. ASOD organizers hope to secure endowment funding to create sustainability in the program so it can continue to help future generations of oral health care providers.

Source: https://dentistry.unc.edu/