Our tips for dental students completing a first clinical placement

Before a dental student walks into a real dental practice for the first time, they’ve already spent countless hours honing their craft through simulation training. If you’re about to begin your first clinical placement, all you really need to do is back yourself and trust what you've learned up to this moment. You're likely to be feeling as anxious as you are excited. That's normal. But as long as you have the right tools and a positive mindset, you'll make the most of this phase of your education.

At One Dental, we're with you every step of the way as you work toward becoming the best dental professional you can be. Our advanced simulation tools support your learning at home, and we understand the challenges of clinical placements, too. Here are our top tips.

Get organised and prepared

As with many of life’s pursuits, you won’t get far without a plan, and you’re in trouble when you leave things to the last minute. Keeping yourself well-organised (a checklist never goes astray) will eliminate a lot of the stress you might be feeling. Start by getting familiar with the clinic you’ll be attending. Ask about their protocols and expectations, and if possible, take a tour of the facility.

Make a strong first impression by introducing yourself in advance and asking some practical questions about things like dress code. Different practices will have different expectations on such things. If you have any questions, just ask them - no matter how small they may seem. Knowing as much as possible before you start will help settle nerves and put your mind at ease.

Have more questions ready for day one that you can ask your supervisor, such as any relevant assessment criteria, the level of initiative they’re looking for from you as well as how the feedback process will work.

Build your communication skills

The preparation steps will have helped you master the art of asking questions, which is foundational to good communication. In a clinical setting, the ability to adapt and work with different communication styles is critical. Some people are direct, while others are more hands-off. Pay attention to how your new colleagues operate and watch for nonverbal cues to make sure you always understand what’s being asked of you.

Communication with patients is its own skill set and it takes years to develop as a dental professional. You’ll most likely just be observing at the beginning of a placement, but pay attention to the tone and clarity of the dentist as they speak with their patient. You can learn a lot here.

Clinical environments are highly busy, and things move very quickly. Instructions may be brief and delivered on the fly. Just prioritise and retain as much detail as you can. If you need to take notes, that’s fine. Take a deep breath, it won’t take long before all of this feels natural.

Mental preparation

Setting specific, achievable goals is known to boost motivation and performance in high-pressure environments. Dental training is intense, but having clear objectives helps improve skills and outcomes.

If you are feeling substantially overwhelmed, practising a little stress management and mindfulness techniques like deep breathing can help. In fact, a 2019 study in the Journal of Dental Education actually found that students who did this reported far less anxiety during clinical assessments.

Whenever you have a spare moment, stretch and adjust your posture. Sitting or standing for appointments and procedures for long periods can cause back pain or stiffness and that’s the last thing you want at the end of the day. Staying hydrated and eating well will also help you maintain energy and focus.

Reflection and continuous improvement

Supervised clinical placements are a big part of dental training because it’s where you finally put classroom learning into practice. You’ll be taking in a lot, so it helps to keep a notebook or journal where you can track what’s working, what’s challenging and what you’re learning along the way.

The feedback and insights from your mentor or supervisor become effective only when you implement their suggestions. Practice the recommended skills as soon as you can and afterward check in with your supervisor to see if they have observed any progress.

Lastly, celebrate your progress. This is a major milestone in your journey, and you should acknowledge every improvement, whether it’s in skill or confidence. Even the smallest wins show growth and adaptation, bringing you one step closer to achieving your professional dental goals.

Talk to the dental supply experts

We’re thrilled for all the dental students taking on clinical placements this year! We truly hope it turns out to be a fulfilling experience that not only builds your skills but also nurtures essential personal qualities like resilience, confidence and professionalism. Let every challenge and success shape you as you work towards reaching your potential.

For new graduates, the early days of practice can be as challenging as they are exciting. When a patient doesn’t attend the clinic, it’s easy to let valuable time slip away. However, that time does not have to go to waste. One Dental’s portable dental manikin mounts to any dental chair and will provide the perfect opportunity for you to keep engaged in your new environment through a simulation session. This can also assist your allied staff in better understanding your clinical requirements.

One Dental offers a wide range of simulation products to help future dental professionals refine their manual dexterity and build practical experience.

Reach out to our friendly team today or explore our full range online!