Clement Chang

I completed my primary and high school in Adelaide, but I wanted to experience life in a larger city during the early years of my life, which is why I decided to move to Melbourne. The University of Melbourne stood out to me because it offered the widest range of health science courses compared to other universities I researched. Its location near the city centre also appealed to me, allowing me to enjoy the vibrant city life.

Dentistry, with its constant need for attention to details and adaptability, keeps me on my toes and excites me about my future career. I was initially not particularly interested by the idea of teeth, but Dental School quickly revealed the complexity and challenges of the field.

One standout aspect of the Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) program at the University of Melbourne is the unique opportunity to be supervised by specialists in their respective fields during our third year. This is not something typically offered at other universities, where complex cases are often reserved for specialist visits on certain days. At the University of Melbourne, we gain hands-on experience with procedures that are usually referred to specialists, which increases our exposure and builds our confidence in managing more advanced cases. It also allows us to understand how specialists approach cases, which often differs from the general dentist’s perspective.

The best clinical demonstrators focus on a patient-centric approach to care, encouraging us to look beyond the rigid rules and criteria from our early dental training. Instead, they teach us to consider each patient’s unique context when making treatment decisions. This has helped me to develop a more holistic approach to patient care. This difference was evident during my recent external placement, where supervisors from other institutions tended to follow guidelines more strictly, reaffirming how much I value the flexibility of treatment approach taught at the University of Melbourne. Research can be a hit or mis, but I’ve been fortunate to have a research supervisor who has guided my research group through the entire process. This experience has given me valuable insight into the research field and broadened my understanding and appreciation of research in dentistry, without feeling too overwhelming.

Now, in third year, I’ve enjoyed the increase exposure to clinical work. I’m a social person, so working with my own patients has been one of the most rewarding aspects of the course. It has allowed me to develop essential skills, such as communication and professionalism, while also giving me the opportunity to refine my dexterity and motor skills through doing various procedures. I am very lucky to have wonderful patients who like to ‘suffer’ coming to see me for more complex procedures!

The technical precision required in dental procedures has been particularly interesting to me. The fact that things can easily go wrong adds a level of challenge that keeps me engaged. Each procedure is unique and often requires quick problem-solving and good time management, which ensures that no two days are the same.

Dentistry is a lifelong profession and dental school is just the first stepping stone in a journey filled with challenges. My clinical experiences have shown me that each patient presents with a unique set of issues, meaning that the skillset I develop will differ from that of my classmates by the time we graduate. This realisation has highlighted the continuous learning and complexity that the dental profession demands.

After graduation, my goal is to find a strong mentor who can help me to further develop and refine my clinical skills, guiding me to become a competent and confident clinician. This process may take a few years. Once I have gained enough experience and confidence, I would like to open my own dental clinic and continue to grow in the field.

It is okay to not know exactly what you want to do in life. While it is helpful to have a broad idea and interests early on (so you can make efforts towards these goals), it is also important to keep an open mindset. You don’t necessarily have to follow a traditional path, like going to university, to become successful.

It is easy to fall into the trap of wanting to pursue medicine in high school or during a biomedical science degree just because it is the popular option. I was in that position at times too. That is why it is important to surround yourself with friends from different courses and career paths. Having a diverse perspective helps you to reflect on whether you truly enjoy what you are doing.

During my undergraduate studies, I had the mindset of ‘it’s okay that things are challenging now, it will get better later’. But if you are consistently unhappy or struggling, take the time to ask yourself if you are truly enjoying the path that you are on.

Lastly, don’t forget to de-stress! Go join some clubs or societies, make new friends, and enjoy uni life. It will be over before you know it!