“Life After Dental School” Event, U. of Tennessee - Dr. Gallagher's Podcast x Dose of Dental Podcast #136

Questions:

00:00 - What was the most challenging aspect of transitioning from dental school to practice?

02:54 - How do you maintain work-life balance while managing the demands of being a dentist?

09:05 - How is it being a woman dentist-owner while managing personal goals like dating or having a family?

11:52 - How worried should we be about paying off student loans?

14:18 - How do you navigate cosmetic treatment conversations while keeping a focus on oral health?

29:46 - How did you know dental school was for you, and did you go straight into private practice?

36:25 - When did you feel ready to open a private practice?

39:23 - How do you stay current with dental technologies and research? And how do you manage dental-related back issues?

48:50 - How do you find good CE courses after graduation?

51:21 - As a private practice owner, do you question your decisions without a professor there?

58:26 - Why did you choose to practice in Austin, TX?

59:52 - Did you take a gap year before dental school?

01:07:34 - What is the most interesting procedure you’ve done during OS residency?

01:13:36 - What goes into becoming a cosmetic dentist? Did you do special mentoring or schooling?

Quotes & Wisdom:

❝ Dentistry is what you do. It's not who you are. ❞

❝ If you care, you will overwork yourself—but the patients will be okay. ❞

❝ Non-traditional is the new traditional. ❞

❝ Pick what you’re good at and just do that. You don’t have to do everything. ❞

❝ Teamwork is critical. You’re with your classmates more than your real family. ❞

❝ Get your sleep. One all-nighter and I fell asleep during the test! ❞

❝ Cosmetic dentistry is about making people feel better about themselves—it’s life-changing. ❞

❝ If you go for your dreams, the loans might stack up, but you’ll be happier doing it. ❞

❝ Enjoy your summer—it’s the last real summer before dental school changes everything. ❞

Now available on:

- Dr. Gallagher’s Podcast & YouTube Channel

- Dose of Dental Podcast #136

My watch in this episode = Tag Heuer Aquaracer Calibre 16 Chrono

- 3.2025

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