NEW DENTIST CORNER: FROM AEGD TO PRIVATE PRACTICE

By: Meredith Turbeville, DDS

Every dentist remembers the nerves and excitement felt after dental school. I remember having this feeling when I had completed my doctoral program in San Antonio, Texas, and was on my way to joining the AEGD program at the University of Oklahoma College of Dentistry. During my long trek from San Antonio to Oklahoma City, I remember contemplating my goals. I wanted not only to become more confident and efficient in the skills I had already gained, but also to learn as many advanced procedures as I could.

Once the AEGD was in full swing, I realized what an amazing opportunity it was. Within a month, I started doing implant cases, esthetic cases, and complex restorative rehabilitations. I saw more difficult cases in one month than I would likely treat in a year of private practice. I had expert faculty who taught me an immense amount and guided me toward confidence. The OU AEGD leadership created the perfect balance of independence while holding a safety net to catch me, if needed. Throughout my residency year, I learned the value of collaboration. My co-residents and I would often be huddled in our resident room, swapping stories and advice based on our experiences. Relying on colleagues in this industry is a lifeline for better patient care.

When I left the AEGD in June 2022, I entered private practice in Midwest City, OK, with my now mentor, Dr. Melanie Emerson. Entering a busy private practice comes with many challenges. I had to adjust to running more than one dental chair and learning to work with multiple assistants, all while keeping track of the many hygiene exams. While the transition was challenging, I never had to worry about my clinical skills. I arrived confident that I could make a difference in this practice and help my patients by applying the skills I learned in my AEGD.

The beauty of completing my residency is that it allowed me to focus all my learning on these new aspects of dental practice. I remember that the most difficult part of my transition was conforming to the running of an office. From my year in practice, I learned from every member of my team. From the assistants, I learned smoother techniques and patient management, and from our office managing staff, I learned the importance of documentation for insurance and treatment presentations. My mentor/boss has taught me countless ways to improve my skills and the importance of self-care.

Whenever a dental student asks me for advice, I highly recommend a year in AEGD. It truly has made my transition to private practice much smoother and opened more opportunities for me. This path has given me a support system of professionals around the Oklahoma City community who make all aspects of practice more efficient and enjoyable.

About The Author

Dr. Meredith Turbeville is originally from Fredericksburg, VA. She received her bachelor's degree from Southern Methodist University. She completed her doctorate at UT Health San Antonio College of Dentistry and completed her AEGD residency at OU College of Dentistry. After graduation, she joined a private practice in Midwest City, OK.