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    • Content Dam Diq Online Articles 2016 07 16jul7bcednotet
    1. Dentistry

    You can learn a lot from a 5-year-old

    July 6, 2016
    This month’s issue of Breakthrough Clinical will give you the chance to be a kid again—from a perspective that will hopefully bring some energy back into your clinical skills that may not currently be as cool as they once were. As Dr. Suess said, you’ll be able to “think and wonder, wonder and think” about things in dentistry such as implant phonetics, making endo easier, and identifying pathology. And yes, we have the winner for last month’s caption contest too.
    Stacey L. Simmons, DDS, Editorial Director of DE's Breakthrough Clinical e-newsletter
    16jul7bcednote01

    This article first appeared in the newsletter, DE's Breakthrough Clinical with Stacey Simmons, DDS. Subscribe here.The last day of school I found myself surrounded by 20 kindergartners, thinking and wondering what was in my big brown box. The curiosity and excitement was almost tangible! As I started pulling things out of this boring-looking container, I was suddenly bombarded by questions, begging to have answers. Who would have thought a teeth mannequin (yes, the same one from last month’s editor’s note) would be SO exciting? A toothbrush big enough to use on a horse? Way. Cool. Rounding it all out was a bottle of soda, a container of sugar, a “Bruce the Sugar Buggy” book, toothbrush kits, and models of teeth in varying stages of development. These kids were eager, energetic, and they did exactly what Dr. Seuss said to do, “Think and wonder, wonder and think.”

    Truth be told, I was somewhat taken aback by the enthusiasm of these kiddos. Remember when we were in dental school and we acted like 5-year-olds? Nobody has to admit their age here, but we have to realize that we, too, can “Think and wonder, wonder and think” about things such as implant phonetics, making endo easier, and identifying pathology. And yes, we have the winner for last month’s caption contest too. You guys are certainly creative!

    This month’s issue of BC will give you the chance to be a kid again—from a perspective that will hopefully bring some energy back into a clinical skill that may not currently be as cool as it once was.

    Happy summer!

    Staceysimmonsdds Small Signature
    Stacey L. Simmons, DDS Editorial Director, DE’s Breakthrough Clinical with Stacey Simmons, DDS

    This article first appeared in the newsletter, DE's Breakthrough Clinical with Stacey Simmons, DDS. Subscribe here.

    LAST MONTH . . . Caption this photo and have fun with it; dentistry is a great profession!

    For the most current dental headlines, click here.

    About the Author

    Stacey L. Simmons, DDS | Editorial Director of DE's Breakthrough Clinical e-newsletter

    Dr. Stacey Simmons grew up in Hamilton, Montana. She did part of her undergraduate work at Purdue University and then received her bachelor’s degree in exercise physiology from the University of Utah. After applying to both medical and dental school, she decided that dentistry was her career of choice. She received her DDS degree from Marquette University School of Dentistry in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, in 2004. In private practice, she focuses her care on prosthodontics and cosmetic dentistry. She is a guest lecturer in the Anatomy and Physiology Department at the University of Montana. Outside the office, she trains for triathlons and spends time with her family. You may contact Dr. Simmons by email at [email protected].

    In 2015, Dr. Simmons became the editorial director of DE's Breakthrough Clinical with Stacey Simmons, DDS, an e-newsletter focused on breaking through plateaus in clinical practice. Subscription information may be found here.

    Updated May 4, 2016