Insights from a student on carving a career in dentistry

Toinoli V Zhimomi

• DIMAPUR — Toinoli V Zhimomi found her calling early in life, drawn to the details of how oral health impacts overall well-being.
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• Now a third-year dental student and researcher, she is a former student of Livingstone Foundation International and St. Paul Higher Secondary School. She is currently pursuing her Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) at Atal Bihari Vajpayee Medical University, Uttar Pradesh.
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• Toinoli is the founder and chairperson of the Dentoi Foundation for Goodwill (an NGO) and initiated the MyNagaland movement, focusing on free education, free dental check-ups, child welfare and protection, and fundraising for orphanages and old age homes. She is also currently working on a book.
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• In this interview with Eastern Mirror, Toinoli discusses the path to becoming a dentist and offers practical advice for students from Nagaland preparing for medical entrance exams.

Also read: Kakivi Chishi shares what it takes to build a career in digital marketing

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• For someone unfamiliar, how would you explain what dentistry involves?
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• Dentistry is a medical speciality focused on diagnosing, preventing, and treating diseases and conditions that involve the comprehensive care of the oral cavity, encompassing the teeth, gums, and surrounding tissues. It revolves around the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of dental diseases and disorders, with a focus on maintaining oral health and aesthetics.
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• What are the different specialisations in dentistry that students can explore?
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• The Master of Dental Surgery (MDS) programme offers several specialisations, including prosthodontics and crown & bridge, periodontology, conservative dentistry and endodontics, orthodontics and dentofacial orthopaedics, oral pathology and microbiology, pedodontics and preventive dentistry, oral medicine and radiology, and public health dentistry and oral and maxillofacial surgery.
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• What qualifications does one need to study dentistry in India?
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• To study dentistry in India, aspiring students need to complete higher secondary education (12th grade) with Physics, Chemistry, and Biology as core subjects, achieving a minimum aggregate score of 50% (45% for reserved categories). A mandatory entrance exam, such as the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET), must also be qualified. Candidates must be at least 17 years old at the time of admission.
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• Could you walk us through the entrance exams and selection process?
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• In India, admission to Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) programmes primarily relies on NEET. After clearing the NEET exam, candidates participate in counselling rounds where they can choose their preferred dental colleges based on their NEET rank and seat availability. As for abroad, there can be other entrance exams and selection processes that the student needs to qualify for and meet the requirements for.
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• How should a student from Nagaland prepare for these entrance exams?
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• To effectively prepare for the NEET UG exam, a student from Nagaland should focus on a comprehensive strategy that includes understanding the syllabus provided by the National Testing Agency (NTA), building a strong foundation in core subjects of PCB from NCERT textbooks, solving previous years' questions, giving mock tests, and revision is the key. Having an efficient and consistent timetable is a need of the hour. Always remember that these are exams designed to bring out our best knowledge, so utmost dedication and sincerity level are demanded.
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  Receiving the award for best slogan writing on World Dentist Day at Inderprastha Dental College and Hospital, Delhi NCR.

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• Is it necessary to move out for your entrance prep or study in Nagaland? What should students consider while deciding?
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• No, I do not necessarily think we need to move out, as most things are now readily available to us and the syllabus for the NBSE is aligned with the NCERT. Online accessibility gives us an advantage. However, irrespective of the state, there are some factors students need to consider: the quality of education provided by an institute, the environment, the teaching, the faculty's experience and qualifications, the quality of study materials, the infrastructure, and the coaching fee structure.
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• How does one choose a dental college?
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• After scoring well on the NEET exam, first, you'll need to participate in the NEET counselling conducted by the Medical Counselling Committee (MCC). During counselling, you'll register, fill out your college preferences, and lock them before the deadline. Your seat allotment will depend on your NEET rank, your chosen colleges, and available seats, and the results are announced on the official website. After allotment, you'll need to verify your documents at the college and complete the admission process.
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• What should students from Nagaland keep in mind when applying to colleges if a student wants to study outside the state?
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• Before taking admission to a medical college, we should consider various factors, including the college's reputation, faculty expertise, infrastructure, curriculum, facilities, location, and cost. Researching the college's accreditation and its track record in academics and placements is also crucial. Additionally, students should evaluate the availability of research opportunities, clinical experience, and extracurricular activities. Language and food culture also contribute to a larger extent, as fluency in a regional language is important in communicating with the patients and providing them the best possible.
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• What are the career options after graduating with a BDS degree ?
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• After graduating with a BDS (Bachelor of Dental Surgery) degree, a student can sit for NEET-MDS and proceed with specialisation in their department of choice. Other career paths are available, ranging from clinical practice to research, academics, and even entrepreneurial ventures. They can choose to work in private clinics, hospitals, or government facilities, or even establish their own practice. Specialisation through post-graduate studies (MDS) in various fields is a more commonly chosen option for dentists interested in further learning and skill acquisition.
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• What do you wish you knew before joining dental school?
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• I think, as human beings, irrespective of any field, there will always be something we wish we knew more about. However, I believe there are some qualities and knowledge one needs before joining dental school. It's helpful to understand the intense workload, the importance of hand skills and practice, and the need for strong study habits. Dental school is a significant investment, so ensuring a genuine passion for the field is crucial. Additionally, preparing for the physical demands of long hours and the emotional challenges of patient interactions is essential.
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• What advice would you give to a Class 10 or Class 12 student interested in dentistry?
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• Dentistry is a wonderful and rewarding field! You reap what you sow. For Class 10 students interested in dentistry, focus on building strong foundations in Mathematics, Science, and English. Class 12 students should prioritise Biology, Physics, and Chemistry and explore shadowing opportunities at dental offices to gain insight into the profession. Then, prepare thoroughly for the NEET-UG exam
• Always remember that a particular exam can only get you to a position or post, but it is the character formation during the journey that will bring out the good human and the best doctor in you. So, enjoy and learn from your journey!
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  With batchmates at the department of Conservative Dentistry and Endodontics.

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• RAPID INSIGHTS
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• Mountains or beaches?
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• Mountains
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• One quote that keeps you going?
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• Psalms 107:1 "Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever".
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• This verse reminds and humbles me that, no matter how difficult or challenging circumstances may become, God's love is everlasting, and He always wishes us well. Everything in life is temporary, but we strive for an everlasting reward and are granted love along the way.
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• First thing you do when you wake up?
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• Scripture reading and prayer.