S01E04- To Be Or Not To Be

The most debated topic of all the time.... Which is put up in different manners.... Be it whether 'Dentists are real Doctors?' or 'BDS vs. MBBS' or many many other diversifications. But amongst all these... One thing i found which was always common is SHEER STUPIDITY.

Although the origin of such misconceptions is still unknown, but just because they are idiopathic doesn't mean that they dont affect us or we dont have to deal with them. BDS is considered as a Second rate option to MBBS, which is fine regarding the popularity of the two.... But regarding the need and value, i beg to differ. I always wondered why there wasn't so much fuss about BHMS or BAMS courses.... Its been always between the Denticos and Medicos. See! Again a contradiction, because both of them are Medicos, still i would be differentiating them using the 'Dent' and the 'Med'.

Its said that Denticos have it easy, Medicos have it tough in the UG life.... But again, who said it? Actually noone did. We assumed it ourselfs by the ranks and preferences in PMTs. Anyways, being a Dentico, i aint gonna boast or try to prove the worth of my profession. I am just writing what i think. People say we cannot save a life, i tell you, we can.

On the other hand, there is a question of success and livelihood after both of these professions, which unfortunately hangs in the balance of uncertainty. Ofcourse, nothing is guaranteed in life. Its said that a Dentico is more of a complete doctor in himself than a Medico graduate because of the number of procedures he can perform on a patient. But on the other hand, house jobs for Medicos are much more as compared to the latter. So, its not my call, or anyone's call to decide the fate of either of the professions.

In both professions, we can go in whatever direction we want because its not always about saving lives. Sometimes its about making lives comfortable, actually most of the times its the latter. Denticos may go in Oral and Maxillofacial surgery if they wish to save lives, the ultimate dream. And if they want to save lives without cutting and slashing, they may go into Oral Pathology and Diagnostics. Performing surgeries in a conscious patient within a restricted field of work (mouth) aint a walk in the park. There is a way everywhere. I am not against Medicos or anything, i respect them as no doubt they have more knowledge than us and they have a broader horizon for diverse career prospects. But we are here to discuss all the options.

With the latest fields being introduced in Dentistry like Forensic Medicine, its like a cherry and icing on top. The demand of Oral Hygienists in European countries is huge and the awareness for Oral Hygiene is spreading rapidly in India too! There are a whole lot of fields we can opt after completing our graduation. Be it surgeries, diagnostics, prophylaxis, administration, teaching, private practice etc. We have it all.

Here is my message to all the budding denticos out there, Dont let anyone tell you that you are less. You know what you are capable of and know the skill you withhold. As its always said, Dentistry is Science with Art. And the Art is what makes you something more than just a Doctor.

S01E03- The Journey

My journey from the dream of being a Doctor to the stepping stone of med school was.... I dont know, perhaps smooth. Its quite unusual to hear someone say that.

The only reason i am saying so is because of the support of my family. My mother always wished to become a Doctor, and i can bet, she would've been an extraordinary one. And she supports me all the way to watch her dream being fulfilled. My father gave me my free will to do whatever i want... It was not too hard on him though, coz i had a so called SAFE career path chosen by myself. I sometimes wonder, would that have been so much of the free will if i had wanted to become something offbeat? Point noted, will ask him today that. But i'm pretty sure he would have still supported me. Coz its all about doing the job right, no matter what the job is.

As a little kid, i always had a medical playkit. It had almost EVERYTHING! Cannot recall how many times i injected my teddy bear because he was sick.... Or perhaps just because i felt like sticking a needle (90% of the times). Poor thing. I even did a retinal biopsy once by pulling his eye out, just forgot to place it back where it was. He was a good patient.... I hope my future patients are like him.

Mathematics was the subject Or should i say perhaps it was the longest horror movie of my life. I could never figure out why there was such a fuss about numbers, variables, constants, geometry and stuff.... My whole family is filled with engineers, but surprisingly, i had a very little (negligible) interest for maths.

Science always fascinated me.... I always looked for the WHY behind everything.... and i still do. Perhaps this is what distinguishes me from others. I cannot mug up things, though its necessity in Biology, but i somehow deal with it.

From childhood i looked studious (helped in first impressions), but i never was as much. Although i was always serious regarding my studies... You can still talk to me about the subject almost anytime!

Anxiety is one of my traits i am not proud of... Examination fever still haunts me. Maybe i will recover from it by the end of my last exam.

S01E02- Where it all began

Born in the month of June, I always wished to become a Doctor. Although for a brief period of time i DID wish to become a Cop too! I would put on a hat, a utility belt (inspired from Batman), some shades and of course, a firearm, and used to run around solving cases. Used to look myself in the mirror with a James Bond soundtrack in my head.

I was never much of a healthy child.... So frequently i had appointments with the doctor.

The Doctor, in my best interest of course, used to poke me with BIG needles.... I hate those. Made me drink bitter tonics and swallow ping pong ball sized tablets. From that moment, I wished to become a Homeopathic Physician. Ofcourse, no more bitter pills and tonics... And you hardly ever see a homeopath poking needles.

Always fascinated by the long snake like thing on my Doctor's neck... I would take breaths extra hard during the exams done by him. That i did for the Doctor's best interest.... I was good patient...cooperative and sweet... Except for the pills, tonics and needles part.

My favourite part would be when the Doctor used to write down a Medical Leave Certificate. The shiny ink of the prescription pad screaming the official grant for bunking my school.

I considered this as enormous power.... And i still do. No one questions a doctor's authority, knowledge, status.... Anything!

Hence, the sapling of wanting to being a Doctor was planted inside my brain at a tender age of 5. There has been no turning back ever since.

S01E01- Pilot

Before this moment, many times i saw people's blogs, their thoughts, their ideas.... Honestly, i was not impressed. Not one bit. I never really got the idea why would someone write down their thoughts for the whole world to read.

But this moment, i realised that pouring your heart out is probably the best thing. Keeping things inside yourself builds up toxins, harmful metabolites which slowly damage your organs, thus, affecting your whole personality.

I am a II Year BDS (Bachelor In Dental Surgery) Student residing here, in India. I am writing from my home through a laptop at 2.30 in the morning. I shall discuss my experiences and the lessons i learn from my day to day life....

My life is predominated by my course, my family and my friends.... thus leaving a very little or practically no space for anything else. Still i find many voids in my routine. Voids which makes me question my inner self, seeking answers. I learn from my experiences and try my best to put those learnings to a good use. Hence, i would like my readers to understand that every word i put here is not just a random idea or thought.... Its a process. A continuous thought process which defines my actions and surely affects the people around me.