Tatyana Fortune

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  • Why I Got a Puppy in Dental School

    Why I Got a Puppy in Dental School

    This is Pumpkin!


    Do you ever see a picture of a new puppy, and think… I NEED ONE? That was me. I saw a Mini Bernedoodle while out and about Boston, and started looking them up for fun. Soon, ads of Doodles were everywhere! I became smitten with Mini Goldendoodles. Spontaneously, I just did it. I mean, I did my research and everything – I looked at their qualities and was just sold on everything. I wanted a small dog because I live in a 1-bedroom apartment, and I wanted him or her to be friendly and love cuddling.


    I can honestly say that I underestimated the responsibility, but, eventually, I got the hang of it. As a first-time pet owner, I wasn’t completely prepared, but in the end, the work was worth it. I expected that I would just come home on my lunch breaks to walk her, but sometimes, it has to wait until after 5 or I have to use Rover. Thankfully, I do live with my fiance, so there is someone at home with her most of the time. I was blown away by the vet costs, but I wanted her to have the best care (plus, I got pet insurance). Expect high costs for the flea and heart-worm medications (every month) and regular vaccines. I splurged on treats and toys (I still do). I also didn’t know which pet food to get – there are so many brands! Grain-free or not? She also needs maintenance and upkeep – including bathing, nail trimming, brushing her teeth, cleaning her ears, and regular brushing.


    BUT, there are some pretty awesome perks involved, too.


    1. Every day I get to come home to an ecstatic puppy, who exalts enough love and pure happiness that any bad thing that happened at school instantly fades away. Dropped my temp crown? Here are 50 kisses! She cracks me and my fiance up with her strange behavior (look up puppy zoomies) and she’s surprisingly good at hide-and-seek. We catch her just sitting and looking out the window sometimes, and she likes to army crawl under the furniture.


    2. Pumpkin helps me stay on schedule (no more all-nighters!) No matter what, she needs to be taken out and fed on schedule, and she LOVES going outside. It’s funny how having the extra responsibility will make you use your time wiser – because someone depends on you aside from yourself. I started putting breaks in my study schedule so we can get outside and enjoy the fresh air. I also have an excuse to walk around my neighborhood, or visit places in Boston if I don’t have anyone to go with. She’s a big hit with everyone she meets, so I end up socializing with strangers a lot more.


    3. Overall, the best part is unconditional love – both ways. I can never truly be mad at her (I thought those shoes were ugly anyway). I know I still make mistakes, but she doesn’t hold a grudge against me. The first time I accidentally stepped on her paw scared me so much, that now I freak out when I step on a squeak toy. Pumpkin is so attached and is happiest in my presence. She prefers to lay next to me on the couch or by my feet whenever I study, and sometimes I break the rules and let her sleep with me in bed. We’re also both big fans of napping, so like mother, like daughter, I guess. She’s weird and quirky and entertaining and has most definitely changed my life. ❤️

  • So You’re Thinking About Specializing?

    The age-old stressful question for dental students. You really can’t know until it’s time whether you’ll be qualified or passionate enough to pick a field to specialize in. Many students enter dental school with one vision for their future and leave falling in love with something else. Before you apply to a residency program, make sure that you can see yourself staying in that field for your whole career, and make sure that you will enjoy it. (Clue: if you hated the lectures and didactic part of it because you found it boring, it may not be for you.) And if you want to receive more training as a general practitioner so that you can develop various skills, an Advanced Education in General Dentistry (AEGD) program might be for you.

    The first step is deciding which program, and then figuring out the requirements for that program. The ADEA PASS Search Engine allows you to look at program profiles, deadline dates, contact information, and the program requirements. Most programs (over 130) require the Advanced Dental Admission Test (ADAT), a 4.5-hour long test that covers Biomedical Sciences, Clinical Sciences, Data, Research Interpretation, and Evidence-Based Dentistry, Principles of Ethics and Patient Management. Other programs require the Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) test, which covers Verbal Reasoning, Analytical Writing, and Quantitative Reasoning. Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery also requires passing the National Board of Medical Examiners Comprehensive Basic Science Examination (NBME CBSE).

    Another important part of applying to residency programs is the externship. They are typically a week or a few days that the applicant spends with the faculty and residents to get a feel for the program. It allows the admissions committee the opportunity to get to know you better – think of it as a pre-interview. They externship may require you to rearrange your schedule and patients to attend.

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  • Painless Injection Techniques

    There are so many benefits to being a provider that can give painless injections. Patients have a better experience, it builds trust, and they are more likely to give good referrals.

    The first mistake that is commonly made is not leaving the topical anesthetic in place on dry mucosa for the full 2 minutes. This can reduce the effectiveness. Most dentists use Benzocaine, but a compounded topical (usually a mix of Lidocaine, Prilocaine, and Tetracaine) can be more effective at eliminating injection pain.

    One method of reducing pain is by giving a plain anesthetic first (ex., Prilocaine) then following with Lidocaine or Septocaine. Giving plain anesthetic is less painful because the solution is less anesthetic.

    Another method (and a cheaper alternative to the method mentioned above) is to buffer the first carpule of anesthetic before injection. This type of injection has a rapid onset and had higher effectiveness around sites that are harder to numb due to infection. It is recommended to use about 0.2 mL of 8.4% sodium sodium bicarbonate for each patient. A downside to this technique is that the pH of sodium bicarbonate can very, and the solution must be used quickly once it is mixed.

    Other techniques include warming the anesthetic to 37 degrees Centigrade (temperature can be regulated using a Calset or C-Warmer unit).

    Having a good hand technique for injection can also make a world of difference. It is crucial that the provider has a good finger-rest. The beveled tip should be inserted just under the mucosa, an a few drops should be deposited. After waiting a few seconds, the needle can be advanced further while gently pressing the plunger. The injection site should be aspirated in two different planes.

  • GPR vs. AEGD

    So after graduation, it is strongly recommended that dentists complete a residency program. There are many benefits, including:

    1. Learning to work with an assistant
    2. Discover what you really like doing and what you’d rather refer out
    3. Increase speed and efficiency
    4. Work on time management
    5. You’ll get experience under your belt so that patients will be more comfortable with you

    GPR: Treat medically complex patients
    Location: Typically in a hospital setting
    Trains you on how to work with patients who are medically compromised and have limitations on the type of dental work they can receive. This is good for preparing you how to treat any patient that comes to you. You may do rotations (anesthesiology) or have to be on call.

    AEGD : Advanced training as general practitioner
    Location: typically associated with a dental school
    Basically a fifth year of dental school where you do more challenging procedures and focus on comprehensive care and improve your hand skills. Usually no rotations and rarely on call.

    In order to apply for most residencies, you’ll have to take the Advanced Dental Admission Test (ADAT) – a 4.5 hour test with 4 subjects:

    1. Biomedical Sciences
    2. Clinical Sciences
    3. Data, Research Interpretation, and Evidence-Based Dentistry
    4. Principles of Ethics and Patient Management

    Other residencies may require the GRE test, which tests verbal reasoning, analytical writing, and qualitative reasoning.

    Another step during the application to residency is doing an externship there to get to know the program and people there.

    Residencies are looking for team players hat step up when it gets busy, for humble students who are still eager to learn, and those willing to give their time and b devoted to improving patient lives.

    If you have more questions about specific residencies. igniteDDS has a comprehensive guide about what dental residencies require and consist of.

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  • The Best Water Bottle for Travel

    The Best Water Bottle for Travel

    It’s so important to stay hydrated and drink water when traveling, and the Larq Water Bottle ($95 to 118) gives you peace of mind with water that tastes good and won’t harm you. This water bottle might be on the expensive side, but I promise you it is 100% worth it. The attractive bottle keeps beverages cold for 24 hours or hot for 12 with double-walled stainless steel, and allows you to fill your water bottle up wherever you are exploring . The technology that makes this all possible is pretty innovative – it is equipped with a UV-C LED light that can eliminate up to 99.99 percent of bacteria and viruses from your water and bottle. The ultraviolet light disrupts the DNA in bacteria and viruses to prevent them for reproducing and contaminating your water. The UV beam automatically self-cleans and purifies your water every two hours, killing waterborne microorganisms as well as any odor-causing germs that might have been introduced from your mouth. You can also activate the light by tapping the lid – once for normal purification (60 seconds), twice for a more extensive ‘“adventure mode” (3 minutes). Just note, though, that the bottle won’t remove impurities like metals or fluoride. (For that, check out the LARQ pitcher!)

    The bottle comes with a water-safe USB port on the lid, and one charge can last one to two months. If the bottle is empty, you can hold down the lid for 5 seconds to turn off the self-cleaning mode. The bottle comes in a variety of colors and two different sizes – 17 oz. and 25 oz.

    I also found a cheaper alternative for this product for those on a budget.

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  • Does Intermittent Fasting Work?

    You’ve probably heard people speaking of this new diet for a while. It is more than just depriving your body of food. Even though it may not work for everyone, lots of people have seen positive results with IF (Intermittent Fasting) – sometimes more effectively coupled to the Keto Diet. The thing about diets is, if you’re looking for short term weight loss, it will work temporarily. But if you want long term results and want to live a healthier lifestyle, you have to commit to something that you can enjoy and stick to. I, for one, have such a hard time sticking to an eating schedule where I have to restrict when I eat, since my sleep schedule is never consistent.

    IF is a schedule of fasting periods followed by windows of eating periods. During the fasting periods, calorie-free options like water, black coffee, or unsweetened tea are generally okay.

    A benefit of this lifestyle is that it gives your gut a break and lets your metabolism reset by keeping your insulin levels lower for longer. Insulin’s job is to convert the energy you eat into fat storage to use later to keep your blood sugar down. It can also help lower your cholesterol and lower the risk of diseases including cancer. Here is an article talking about the effects on cholesterol. It can slow down the mental aging process by reducing inflammatory processes.

    A drawback is the hunger cues and pangs that you have to learn to ignore. Also, some people tend to binge and overeat during the eating periods. It’s important to have nutrient-dense, quality meals, and snacks when you do eat.

    Some options:

    1. 16:8 split (fast for 16 hours, eat for 8). You can work your way up by starting with 12:12 and then 14:10.
    2. 5:2 split (2 days, non-consecutively, of eating around 500 calories)
    3. One 24 hour fast

    In general, people shed an average of 10 lbs over 10 weeks – and they have success with keeping it off!

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  • Ways to Make Your Kitchen More Green

    One thing you can do to reduce your carbon footprint is to make your kitchen a little more environmentally friendly. The best part is, you don’t need to spend a lot of money to make small sustainable changes.

    Some ways you can cut down on waste:

    1. Swap out bottled water for a pitcher with a filter and some reusable water bottles
    2. Replace your plastic tupperware containers with glass or metal versions
    3. Get some metal straws for home and travel
    4. Replace paper towels with fabric kitchen towels
    5. Only run your dishwasher when it’s full
    6. Buy some reusable, washable snack bags instead of ziploc bags
    7. Look for minimal packaging on the products you buy
    8. Swap out Saran Plastic Wrap for more eco-friendly reusable Bee’s Wrap
    9. If you have the ability, buy a compost bin to toss in unused food scraps

    Other ways you can help the environment:

    1. Use natural cleaning products without harmful chemicals
    2. Replace your Teflon pans – look for stainless steel or cast iron alternatives
    3. Use mineral instead of chemical sunscreen
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  • My Favorite Skincare Products Right Now

    I’m pretty lazy about skincare. But with this unexpected free time, I decided to focus on things I usually don’t have time for. After reading reviews, comparing ingredients, and doing some research, I ordered some new products and have begun testing them out. It’s overwhelming because every product has some rave reviews. Even though there are tons of skincare products out there, I suggest starting out with 5 -7 depending on your skin type. 
    Keeping cost in mind (because being a broke college student is no joke) I looked for products to tackle my problem areas. I wanted to add a strong vitamin C product to tackle my hyperpigmentation and dark spots. I really wanted to get the Drunk Elephant C-Firma Vitamin C Serum ($80) but it only had 15% Vitamin C (L-Ascorbic Acid). Instead, I got the Tatcha Violet-C Brightening Serum ($88) with 20% Vitamin C + 10% AHA. 
    I also got the Herbivore Prism Exfoliating Glow Facial ($58) as a peel to help improve the texture and clarity of my skin because the reviews said that it was good for sensitive skin and doesn’t sting or burn too much.
    I have acne scars and dark spots, so I had to get the Caudalie Vinoperfect Anti Dark Spot Serum ($79) because it claims to even skin tine and be 62 times more effective than Vitamin C. It is made with patented  Viniferine (aka grapevine sap) and Olive Squalene. 
    I splurged on these items after doing a ton of research, but I went and got some more affordable products as well! The downside is because the cheaper products are so popular, they are often out of stock. 
    I supplemented my routine with these products:


    Morning Routine:
    After washing my face in the morning (yay greasy skin), I apply a toner and then the Niacinamide serum. Then I add the vitamin C serum. While it’s drying, I wash my hands. My skin always feels a little bit tacky as it dries, but then I add my moisturizer with SPF and it goes away! 
    Evening Routine:
    Wash my face twice (I’m not sure why, I’m hoping it helps), apply toner, then I use the AHA serum and the anti-dark spot serum. Then, I add the eye cream and acne cream to the trouble areas. Top it off with some chapstick, and I’m ready for bed!

    In my opinion, my skin looks clearer and smoother after only using these items for a few weeks! I’m excited to start going makeup-free more often. 

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  • Bridge Scholars Program at RPI

    The summer after senior year, I was invited to participate in the Calculus Bridge Scholars Program at my future college. It’s a paid 6-week program with a 2-week residential part where you live in the dorms on campus, eat in the dining halls, meet professors and administrators, and get introduced to RPI overall. We got a little taste of what college life would be like in advance. Most students just called it Math Boot Camp, because it was fun but mostly challenging. The program was geared towards students who hadn’t taken Calculus in high school because Calculus I at RPI is known as the class that weeds out the students that won’t succeed at RPI. Basically, if you fail Calculus I, you are less likely to graduate successfully in four years.

    For the first time, I was learning about derivatives and integrating, and the best part was the ability to work and study in very small groups. I was paired up with 3 other incoming freshman for the program.  Our schedule consisted of early breakfast, class until noon, lunch, class until dinner, and then free time on nights and weekends. They also sprinkled in seminars on other topics like career development, time management, and LinkedIn profile building. I established many relationships during this time that I continued to build upon during my four years at RPI.

    The program was partially funded through the Louis Stokes Alliances for Minority Participation and the National Science Foundation, which focuses on increasing the number of underrepresented students in STEM fields that are qualified for programs of graduate study.

    If you’d like more information about this program, their website is https://success.studentlife.rpi.edu/bridge or you can email bridgescholars@rpi.edu.

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  • Year-by-Year Timeline for Dental Residency Applications

    It is a well-known fact that the application process for residency is wildly overwhelming, and even though it might be a distant thought, it’s good to keep residency in the back of your mind as you go through dental school. Keep in mind that a perfect GPA doesn’t guarantee residency acceptance, but good grades can open doors and give you more choices. Many students choose to perform general dentistry because they can pick and choose what procedures they want to perform, including the specialized ones. The flexibility and diversity of the job make it very fulfilling as well.

    Pre-Dental

    – Shadow at a general dentistry practice
    – If you have time, visit some specialty offices

    First Year

    – Study and work hard
    – Get involved in extracurriculars (student organizations, research, volunteering). Remember, quality over quantity.

    Second Year

    – Begin gathering basic information about residencies that interest you. Look at things like program length, patient population, lifestyle after graduation, and any requirements for additional testing
    – You may want to begin looking into taking common tests like the ADAT, the GRE, or the CBSE.
    – Look into externships so that you can plan ahead if you need to take off time during your third year.

    Third Year

    – Complete externships
    – Talk to current and former residents from programs that interest you
    – Work on your CV and personal statement. Consider having trusted professionals proofread.
    – Ask for letters of recommendations
    – Once the Postdoctoral Application Support Service opens, double-check that you have all of the required supplemental materials.
    – Register for MATCH (a program that pairs applicants with a residency).

    Fourth Year

    – Now, you wait.
    – Throughout the fall, you will hopefully have interviews (maybe some in new cities)!
    – Wait until MATCH day in January
    – Then all that’s left is to graduate the 21st grade!

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  • #Quicktips

    Burning your tongue is one of the worst feelings. So if you burn your tongue on pizza or soup, what should you do?

    You should eat something cold like yogurt or ice cream to soothe the pain. You can also rinse with salt water a few times a day to speed up the healing process.