University of Pacific Pre-Dental Bootcamp

One of the best pre-dental experiences I have had so far was at the University of the Pacific School of Dentistry’s Pre-Dental Bootcamp. The bootcamp gives pre-dental students an opportunity to get hands-on experience and to learn about the basics of didactics of dental school. It also gives students a chance to get a better understanding of what the University of the Pacific School of Dentistry is like. Through this program I was able to meet more pre-dental students. This was really valuable to me since my university’s pre-dental society is very small.

The current Pre-Dental Bootcamp 2020-2021 schedule includes lectures on topics such as Intro to Dentistry, Dental Anatomy, DAT Workshop, Head and Neck, Oral Surgery, Periodontics, Orthodontics, Endodontics, Direct Restorative, Indirect Restorative, Radiology, Anesthesia, Technology and the Future of Dentistry, Practice Management, and Mission Trips. Their current lab dates are tentative due to COVID-19. However, the lab portion of this bootcamp was definitely my favorite part in the past as we got to work with composite and alginate. It’s also a great way to get a better sense of whether or not dentistry is for you. I encourage anyone who lives in/near the Bay Area to participate in this bootcamp in the future if it’s in person. If it continues to be remote/online I highly recommend anyone to participate and take advantage of an opportunity that otherwise wouldn’t be present if you live in another state.

Dena Eslambolchizadeh, University of San Francisco, 2021