Minnesota Dentist Walter Palmer, in Hot Water

By now I am sure we all have heard the news of the killing of one of Zimbabwe's major tourist attraction, Cecil the Lion. And if you have been made aware of his killing, you certainly have been made aware of his killer - a dentist from Minnesota, Walter Palmer.

To Palmer's defense, he claimed he wasn't aware that the lion he hunted was Cecil, a major tourist attraction of Zimbabwe, collared and tracked via GPS by Oxford University. He claims he thought he was participating in a legal hunt.

What is surprising to me is the amount of money paid by Mr. Palmer for this hunt, a whopping $50,000USD!! (insert super surprised face). It is sad that people are legally allowed to hunt and kill these wonderful creatures, and I am saddened that it was by the hands of a dentist - one who's hands are supposed to be used for healing.

Social media is definitely not too fond of him right now as seen here:

His practice though? YIKES!

Source: CNN

Stu-Dent Diaries In the Neighborhood

I recently came across an article on the world wide web featuring my little corner on the internet: my blog. It hales all the way from Austin, Texas entitled How to Experience Dental School Vicariously, you can read article here. It's a blog for a dental practice and intended to ease patient's nervousness about getting dental procedures done. It points to my blog as an example to show the training that us dentists go through in an attempt to further one's knowledge and appreciation for dental care.

When I started my blog some six years ago, my only intention was to help individuals that faced similar challenges in applying to dental school. I was the first in my family to attend dental school, or any field in healthcare for that matter. Because of this, I had to do and research everything about going to dental school on my own - with no help or advice from anyone. It was quite a task. I thought that surely if I was in that situation then others may be in it too - and the stu-dentdiaries blog was born.

Throughout the years I chronicled the steps I took in preparing to apply and applying to dental school, getting accepted to dental school, my journey through dental school, and now Orthodontics residency.

I did it because writing (my thoughts down) is a hobby and I genuinely wanted to help those who were as confused and flustered as I was. I believe I have accomplished (and still accomplishing) my task.

I get a little embarrassed when people I go to school or attend conferences or different networking events with, recognize me and ask if i'm "that girl from the stu-dentdiaries blog." Most times they tell me that it helped them, and for that I am exceedingly glad.

I will continue to do what I do in my little corner on the www. And, as usual don't hesitate to email me with questions or concerns.

Because Freakin' Awesome Isn't an official Job Title

My first year of Orthodontics residency is officially over! I have just one more year left before I become an Orthodontist, put on my big girl pants and step out into the working world.

The thought of it is very exciting, and at the same time a bit terrifying. No  longer will I have the shelter and cushion of school and my many professors and teachers there to guide me. It is all so bitter-sweet.

Needless to say, my first year was a bit challenging. Rest assured friends, that Orthodontics is not simply moving teeth around, neither are Orthodontists teeth technicians - as some people like to refer to us as. On the contrary, an Orthodontist's job can be quite arduous - we not only have the job of dealing with various malocclusions and fixing mis-aligned teeth, but we are the thinkers of the profession, the problem solvers, the mystery busters, the wire benders, the craniofiacial or denotofacial orthopedic specialists, the gate keeper to the oral surgeon, the smile perfecters, the confidence boosters, etc etc.

Shortly put, we're "freakin' awesome!"
Through the challenges, I've been enjoying every minute of Orthodontics residency life. I am truly looking forward to being one of the very best Orthodontists around.

Don't forget my referrals! :)