Q: Introduce yourself! A: “Hi! My name is Marisa Estipona, and I am a D1 at Roseman. I am originally from the Bay Area and then moved to Folsom, CA. I graduated from UC Davis in 2019 with a major in NPB, then immediately started a post baccalaureate program at CSU East Bay. Halfway through the post bacc [program], (like all schools) we were switched to Zoom university. During the pandemic and into the application cycle, I worked at a dental office as a dental receptionist and then later [as] a dental assistant. I learned how to operate the front office and deal with insurance and input various dental codes. This later led to my transition into a dental assistant where these dental codes received more meaning, as I learned the procedures and steps on how to do crown preps, composites, cleanings, etc. After a year of post bacc classes and working in a dental office, I applied to dental school and was lucky to have been accepted to Roseman. In my free time, I enjoy getting involved in student organizations like ASDA (I’m ASDA Pre-Dental Chair 2021-2022!), designing stickers, exercising, and just exploring Utah and the wonderful adventures it has to offer!” Q: Why dentistry? A: “Dentistry is one of those careers that allows me to be ME! I love getting to know people, finding these genuine connections and helping them realize their goals. Through dentistry, I am able to make these types of interactions with a wide variety of people who are at various stages of their life. One appointment, I could be at a child’s first dental visit, and the next hour I could be stepping into an appointment with an elderly patient. In addition, I believe oral health is often overlooked. I love sharing the science behind dentistry and the importance of the oral cavity. One of my favorite sayings is,‘if the eyes are the windows to your soul, your mouth is the window to your overall health. Lastly, dentistry is such a team-based profession. Not only do we have interactions with our patients, but we also have daily interactions with our colleagues, employees, and other members of the dental community. I love that feeling of working with others, uplifting each other’s weaknesses while also bringing out each other’s strengths in order to achieve the same goal. Dentistry is so rewarding, and I can’t imagine being in a different career!” Q: What were your stats in college and/or graduate school? A: “By the time I graduated UCD in 2019, I had a 3.0 GPA. After completing a post bacc, I was at a 3.9 GPA. I was not the strongest student in undergrad and it took me a longer time to get used to big classes and gradebooks consisting only of midterms and finals. But after determining what extracurricular activities [were] important to me and what I could handle class-wise, I found myself improving as a student. I also found renewed purpose during my time in Bayanihan Clinic. The interactions I had with patients and the impact I had on their health were enough to keep me working through difficult classes. Look at the bigger picture and just believe in yourself! There will be a time for you!” Q: What extracurriculars were you involved in at UC Davis/outside of UC Davis? A: “I was very involved in numerous extracurriculars. I was a part of Bayanihan Clinic, Filipinx Association for Health Careers/ FilAm Community, Pilipino Cultural Night, and UCD Pre-Dental Society. I also held a job at Shields Library as a student assistant at the Circulation Desk. Bayanihan Clinic helped me discover how much I enjoy working with people and helping others realize their goals in improving their health. I learned how to interact with others at a professional level and how important empathy is in a health career. Filipinx Association for Health Careers and UCD Pre-Dental Society gave me that community of other students achieving health careers and provided the resources I needed to succeed whether it was study material or study buddies. Pilipino Cultural Night allowed me to dive into my culture and find strength in my roots as I achieve my future goals. My first job was at Shields Library and I believe being a student employee helped me manage my time better (which I know is counterintuitive). But knowing that I have 10+ hours of my week devoted towards working at the library forced me to use the remainder of my time not in classes to study and do my assignments in a timely manner. I definitely recommend getting into extracurricular activities in undergrad. Do not only get involved in health related extracurriculars, but do things that you genuinely enjoy. Your life should not only revolve around dentistry. Find things that interest you and run with it! Doing so will bring color to not only your life, but to your application! However, I do suggest not to spread yourself thin. Focus on what makes you happy and put your time into those activities that you find important!” Q: Why did you choose Roseman? A: “I chose Roseman because their teaching style matches my learning style. I like how Roseman allows me to focus on one subject at a time and focus on fully mastering the subject. I also enjoy working in team-based settings. I love listening to other people’s ideas and then gaining the confidence to also share my thoughts. This kind of collaborative learning makes learning more enjoyable and also more successful. There is less pressure to compete against my colleagues and more motivation to improve myself as a student and future dental professional. All my colleagues are kind and willing to help me when I ask for it whether it be in academics, extracurriculars, or life! I love my Roseman family! I know the 90% requirement to pass classes can be very daunting, but the faculty and my peers are eager to help me and make sure I reach success. No one wants to see the other fail and I think that’s what motivates each of us to help each other. In addition, the 90% requirement means that I am competent in the material and this is beneficial to my future patients. Roseman’s model is truly created to help every student succeed and become a competent dental professional. I love how Roseman is always finding ways to improve their educational system and broaden the dental student experience!” Q: “What is the professor-student interaction like at Roseman? A: “Our professors are very open and approachable for questions, clarifications, etc. I never have a problem with asking a question in class or contributing to discussions in [the] clinic. Our professors are very caring and are there to help us succeed. All the faculty are at Roseman because they love to teach and see the development that every dental student goes through: from a pre-dental student to a dental student to a dental professional!” Q: What do you think made you stand out from the other dental school applicants? A: “I think my background of working in a dental office as both a front desk receptionist and a dental assistant are experiences that helped me stand out. Instead of being hindered by the pandemic, I went out of my way to get real world experience, learn the clinic flow, and involve myself in my dental community. I learned how to operate an electronic records system, worked alongside other colleagues, and interacted with awesome patients. Whatever you are passionate about, make sure to devote time to that. I think it is not only the experience that makes you stand out, but also its impact on you as a future healthcare provider and as an individual.” Q: Do you have any tips for pre-dental students? A: “Continue to believe in yourself! Getting into dental school is difficult and is truly a marathon. However many times it takes for you, continue believing in yourself, the process, and the idea that there is a space for you in one of the many dental schools here. Often, we end up comparing our dental journeys with other pre-dental students, but know that everyone’s journey is unique. Keep on pushing yourself, and working hard. Enjoy the dental journey and be grateful for every helping hand along the way!” Q: What are you currently learning as a D1 student? A: “As a D1 at Roseman, we are in the middle of restorative dentistry. In the classroom, we are learning the composition of the materials we use when completing a filling. We are also learning the techniques on how to make ideal preps for composite and the benefits of doing a composite vs amalgam. In sim clinic, we apply this knowledge and practice using matrices and forming these composite preps. We also practice filling the prep and polishing techniques. In clinic, we are secondary providers, assisting our upperclassmen in doing these same procedures on live patients. It’s awesome how Roseman allows us to learn concepts in the classroom and immediately practice it in sim clinic and simultaneously apply it to current patients. That’s what makes Roseman so unique.” Q: How do you manage to juggle school work and social life? A: “Classes are from 8 AM-5 PM with an hour break for lunch. After 5 PM, I have free time to study, cook, do my extracurriculars, etc. As a D1, I do not have a lot of “homework” that needs to be turned in, but I do have material to review each day. I like to review the lectures before and after we have them [so that] I am able to say I have seen this material at least 3 times. Taking some time to review your week and see how it will look helps me plan out when to do my daily chores, my studying, my exercising, etc.” Q: Are you planning on specializing? If so, what and why? A: “I do not have any concrete plans on specializing, but I am open to the idea. I am interested in pediatrics because I really love working with the kiddos and the different approaches we must undertake to finish a procedure compared to adults. But I think only our future classes and time can tell whether specializing will be in my future!” Q: Got any dental jokes? A: “What do you call a bear with no teeth? A gummy bear!” Please do not hesitate to reach out to Marisa on Instagram @marisa_estipona, via email at [email protected] or through Facebook for more tips, advice, or just to say hello! She will also be selling stickers on Etsy and Instagram so check out @dentistry_impressed for more details! Big thanks to Marisa Estipona for this wonderful interview! Hopefully, Marisa’s helpful advice and her experience as a UCD alumni and current D1 will encourage and further motivate every UC Davis pre-dental student to pursue their goals in dentistry! Author: Amy Law
2nd year Biological Sciences Major
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