In Every Issue
THE LAST WORD We came to the Boston University Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine (GSDM) via very different paths. One of us—Alexandra—first attended dental school in Germany, and while well trained in digital dentistry, did not have access to the equipment in her small private practice before arriving at GSDM. The other—Zehra—spent the year before dental school shadowing a young dentist who encouraged her interest in GSDM precisely because the school is so far ahead of the curve on digital dentistry. But from the moment we both set foot on campus, we have been immersed in the future of dentistry, and we now have a wealth of shared experiences on which we can draw as we forge new career paths after graduation. We have both learned the skills and knowledge we will need to be leaders in the digital dentistry era. But we are also both well-versed in the traditional approaches these new technologies have built upon. And, importantly, we both have developed a deep network of mentors who have offered —and will continue to do so after graduation—support and guidance, and who have shared willingly their expertise so that we might develop ours. These mentors take pride in their work and inspire students to do the same. They foster an environment where students can develop a love of dentistry and all that it makes possible.
Zehra Husain DMD 20 and Alexandra Gilbert DMD AS 20
“We both understand that a commitment to lifelong learning, critical thinking, and refinement is crucial for a successful future in dentistry.”
We have seen the difference that digital dentistry technology makes for our patients—making procedures faster, more convenient, and less invasive, and improving our ability to communicate with patients about their treatment options. We feel lucky to have attended a school that embraces innovation and new technology, not only because we have learned these innovations and technologies firsthand, but also because it has helped us cultivate mindsets that embrace change and continuous learning. We have been given the space to experiment and to make mistakes—all under the guidance of our expert faculty mentors—and this has equipped us with the tools, knowledge, and skills to continue to push our own learning after we graduate.
advanced, we believe we will see continued innovation and yet-more-advanced technologies in the years ahead. We are confident that we have what it takes—thanks to the education we have received at GSDM, and thanks to support from alumni like you—to not only keep pace with the field, but to be leaders in this new digital dentistry era.
All of this is important because as much as we have learned during our years at GSDM, we know we still have much to learn, and that, in fact, we must always be learning. We both understand that a commitment to lifelong learning, critical thinking, and refinement is crucial for a successful future in dentistry. Similarly, as far as the field of dentistry has
Alexandra Gilbert DMD AS 20
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IMPRESSIONS FALL 2019
Zehra Husain DMD 20