Igniting Your Career in Dentistry

02/08/24 • 29 min

In this episode of "New Dentists on the Block," host Tanya Sue interviews Savanah Craig and Ronnetta Sartor, two dentists who completed the same GPR program a few years apart. They discuss their experiences in the program, the importance of continuing education and mentorship, and their journeys as new dentists. Savanah and Ronnetta also share their involvement with Ignite DDS, including their work on the Residency Guide and their E-book Beyond Graduation. The conversation highlights the different paths dentists can take after graduation and the importance of finding the right fit for each individual.

About the Guest(s):

Savanah Craig: Savanah Craig is a passionate dentist who graduated from The Ohio State University in 2022. Originally from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, she completed a one-year GPR program in Columbia, South Carolina. Savannah has a keen interest in surgery and implant placement and is excited to start her career in private practice in Columbus, Ohio.
Ronnetta Sartor: Ronnetta Sartor is a dedicated dentist who graduated from the Medical University of South Carolina in 2017. After completing the same GPR program as Savannah in Columbia, South Carolina, she practiced in a group practice in Sumter, South Carolina for four years. In August 2021, Ronnetta purchased her own practice and has been enjoying the challenges and rewards of practice ownership ever since.

Key Takeaways:

GPR Programs: Savanah and Ronnetta both chose to pursue GPR programs to gain more experience and expand their skill sets. These programs allowed them to provide a wider range of services to their patients and gain mentorship from experienced dentists.
Practice Ownership: Ronnetta's journey from associate to practice owner showcases the possibilities and challenges of practice ownership. She emphasizes the importance of taking time for self-care and finding a balance between being a clinician and a business owner.
Ignite DDS: Savanah and Ronnetta discuss their involvement with Ignite DDS and the resources it provides to new dentists. They highlight the Residency Guide, which offers valuable information about dental residencies across the nation, and their ebook that focuses on the early years of dentistry and how to navigate the challenges.

Connect with Ronnetta Sartor on IG: @ dr_sartor

Connect with Savanah Craig on IG: @savanahcraigdds

Check out the Residency Guide

Check out their eBook Beyond Graduation

Connect with New Dentists on the Block: @newdentistsontheblock

Connect with Tanya Sue Maestas: @tsmaestas.dds

Full video on Youtube

Swing by Peyruis | https://soundcloud.com/peyruis Music promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.com Creative Commons / Attribution 3.0 Unported License (CC BY 3.0) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/deed.en_US

About the Guest(s):

Savanah Craig: Savanah Craig is a passionate dentist who graduated from The Ohio State University in 2022. Originally from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, she completed a one-year GPR program in Columbia, South Carolina. Savannah has a keen interest in surgery and implant placement and is excited to start her career in private practice in Columbus, Ohio.
Ronnetta Sartor: Ronnetta Sartor is a dedicated dentist who graduated from the Medical University of South Carolina in 2017. After completing the same GPR program as Savannah in Columbia, South Carolina, she practiced in a group practice in Sumter, South Carolina for four years. In August 2021, Ronnetta purchased her own practice and has been enjoying the challenges and rewards of practice ownership ever since.

Key Takeaways:

GPR Programs: Savanah and Ronnetta both chose to pursue GPR programs to gain more experience and expand their skill sets. These programs allowed them to provide a wider range of services to their patients and gain mentorship from experienced dentists.
Practice Ownership: Ronnetta's journey from associate to practice owner showcases the possibilities and challenges of practice ownership. She emphasizes the importance of taking time for self-care and finding a balance between being a clinician and a business owner.
Ignite DDS: Savanah and Ronnetta discuss their involvement with Ignite DDS and the resources it provides to new dentists. They highlight the Residency Guide, which offers valuable information about dental residencies across the nation, and their ebook that focuses on the early years of dentistry and how to navigate the challenges.

Connect with Ronnetta Sartor on IG: @ dr_sartor

Connect with Savanah Craig on IG: @savanahcraigdds

Check out the Residency Guide

Check out their eBook Beyond Graduation

Connect with New Dentists on the Block: @newdentistsontheblock

Connect with Tanya Sue Maestas: @tsmaestas.dds

Full video on Youtube

Previous Episode

New Beginnings in Dentistry w/ Dr. Sampada Deshpande

Welcome back to Season 2 of New Dentists on the Block!

In this episode, Dr. Sampada Deshpande shares her journey as a foreign-trained dentist and her decision to pursue a general practice residency (GPR) to specialize in treating patients with special healthcare needs. She discusses her unique model of portable dentistry, where she brings dental care to seniors and individuals with disabilities in their own homes or assisted living centers. Sampada also talks about her role as a product manager for Samsomile and her dedication to helping dental professionals streamline insurance verification processes. She emphasizes the importance of thinking outside the box and finding unique ways to serve patients in the dental profession.

About The Guest:

Sampada Deshpande is a foreign-trained dentist who completed her dental school in India before pursuing her DDS at the University of Washington. She has a passion for treating patients with special healthcare needs and has dedicated her career to providing dental care to seniors and individuals with disabilities. Sampada offers portable dentistry, where she brings her dental equipment to assisted living centers and patients' homes to provide comfortable and convenient dental care. She also works as a product manager for Samsung Smile, an automated insurance verification solution.

Key Takeaways

Sampada Deshpande pursued a general practice residency (GPR) to specialize in treating patients with special healthcare needs.
Portable dentistry allows Sampada to provide dental care to seniors and individuals with disabilities in their own homes or assisted living centers.
Sampada's role as a product manager for Samsung Smile involves streamlining insurance verification processes for dental professionals.
Thinking outside the box and finding unique ways to serve patients is crucial in the dental profession.

Connect with Sampada Deshpande on IG: @dr.desphande

Connect with New Dentist Business Club: @newdentistbusinessclub

Learn more about Samsosmile: @samsosmile

Connect with New Dentists on the Block: @newdentistsontheblock

Connect with Tanya Sue Maestas: @tsmaestas.dds

Full video on Youtube

Next Episode

Impressing the Perfect Smile W/ Dr. Rupert Monkhouse

In this episode, Tanya Sue interviews Rupert Monkhouse, a general dentist with a passion for removable prosthodontics. Rupert shares his journey in dentistry, from his education in London to his current practice in Reading. He discusses the unique aspects of dental education in the UK, including the mandatory foundation year in the National Health Service (NHS). Rupert also highlights the importance of mentorship and continuous learning in his field. He explains how he has honed his skills in removable prosthodontics through social media, online resources, and collaborations with other dental professionals. The conversation delves into the intricacies of denture impressions and the key factors that contribute to successful denture retention. Rupert also provides insights into his upcoming plans to specialize in prosthodontics and expand his expertise in implant dentistry.

About the Guest:

Rupert is a general dentist based in London, UK. He has a particular interest in removable prosthodontics and shares his cases on Instagram @dentistRupert on this platform he also hosts the ImpressionClub Live podcast and edits a monthly newsletter available through his website. Rupert has a passion for education and runs a primary impression course in the UK with more launching soon. He also sits on committees for both the International Team for Implantology and The British Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry

Key Takeaways:

Dental education in the UK allows students to enter dental school straight from high school, with a five-year undergraduate program.
The foundation year in the NHS provides structured training and mentorship for new dentists, allowing them to gain experience in different areas of dentistry.
Rupert emphasizes the importance of mentorship and continuous learning in dentistry, particularly in niche areas like removable prosthodontics.
Social media platforms, such as Instagram, have played a significant role in Rupert's professional development, allowing him to connect with other dental professionals and learn from their experiences.
Successful denture retention relies on capturing accurate impressions, understanding the functional prosthetic envelope, and considering the muscle action on the flanges.

Connect with Rupert Monkhouse on IG: @dentistrupert

Check out his website: ImpressionClub

Connect with New Dentists on the Block: @newdentistsontheblock

Connect with Tanya Sue Maestas: @tsmaestas.dds

Full video on Youtube