GAP YEAR Before Dental School - My Thoughts + Q&A // LauraSmiles

This video was highly requested! Thank you for recommending video topics - please keep it up!
Questions answered:
Why did I take a gap year?
What did I do during my gap year?
What are reasons to take a gap year?
What are disadvantages of a gap year?
What do you recommend to do during a gap year?
How will dental school admission committees view a gap year?
Should YOU take a gap year?
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[@ErikaCorrea]

I also took a gap year and it was such a great decision for me. Wow, $40 an hour for scooping ice cream is amazing! Smart of you for staying there!

[@LauraSmiles]

The best part was unlimited free ice cream :D

[@TheDentistryDiary]

I think no one has ever regretted a gap year .... 😀😀

[@LauraSmiles]

Agreed!!!

[@hajra_j]

I really needed this video. I never planned on taking a gap year, but the coronavirus situation really messed up my plans for the DAT and all of the volunteer work I was doing in a dental clinic. The last thing I wanted was to submit my app late or not have enough experience so I think I'll take this time to better my app instead of rushing it.

[@LauraSmiles]

Hopefully my video gives you some reassurance! This pandemic is messing with lots of test schedules so it's stressful to say the least!

[@jackhansmiles]

Completely resonate with how everyone has their own path! I decided to go straight to dental school but dont be stressed to go straight into dental school! :)

[@HaleySchultz]

You did so many great things!!! Kinda makes me wish I did a gap year🧐

[@LauraSmiles]

Looking back, I definitely kept myself busy LOL!

[@gothboy174]

Well said, Laura! I was afraid of losing my academic momentum during my gap year but it wasn't a problem for me. The only regret I have is not getting a second part time job.

[@LauraSmiles]

Glad that it was a smooth transition for you!

[@sadiesheppard8148]

I’m taking a gap year this upcoming year because I switched my major last year from pre nursing to a FCS degree. I am wanting to pursue a masters in psychology and need time to shadow, take the GRE and I believe there are so many great opportunities to gap years 😊

[@LauraSmiles]

That's awesome!! I'm sure you'll make the most of it!

[@katiek8474]

I officially moved to the state where I wanted to go to dental school for my gap year (I had lived here for 2 years during undergrad). I worked full time during that year which changed my residency status to "in state". I also was considered "in state" where I grew up because my parents still lived there. I ended up going to the school where I moved and that year of work literally cut my tuition in half. 100% worth it.

[@LauraSmiles]

NICE!!! That's so smart! :)

[@onemissiondmd]

Great video! Really good tips, advice, and beyond superficial reasons people assume why people decide to do gap years. Thanks for shedding light on this misunderstood concept before starting dental school!

[@LauraSmiles]

Thank you!!

[@lucerorodriguez2869]

I also changed from Pre-med to Pre-dent later in undergrad. I got to work in two dental offices as an assistant and get insight into insurance, patient management, etc. Once it was time to go to dental school, I was even more motivated to tackle whatever challanges it brought. Best decision I made!

[@LauraSmiles]

YES! Love the experience

[@mayranaranjo627]

I’m a dental assistant well just started my career last year & I love it! When you become a dentist & run your own office I’d love to work for you! 😉 Love your videos! 💕🦷

[@LauraSmiles]

Haha I won't have my own office for a while but when I doooooooo come find me! :)

[@carinahernandez8013]

This video was so helpful! I’m currently a high school senior and trying to plan my dentistry path!

[@LauraSmiles]

Yay!! Glad to hear!

[@vsar1938]

Thank you so much for this video, I recently realized I won't be able to take my DAT before I graduate and it was stressing me out, but now I am more confident to take it during the summer after I graduate 😃🦷

[@LauraSmiles]

Yes!!!

[@lushlunatic2232]

Love your videos! So educational and entertaining!

[@LauraSmiles]

Thank you so much for watching!

[@valmoya3703]

i am really considering a gap year so this helped so much! thank you:)

[@LauraSmiles]

You're so welcome!

[@Joycethedentist]

I WISH I DID A GAP YEAR!!!!!!

[@jaelsantos8868]

UGH LOVE YOU LAURA THANK YOU

[@LauraSmiles]

YOU'RE WELCOME

[@iamkeria9027]

did this video right in time!

[@LauraSmiles]

Wooo! :)

[@katherinem5416]

Thank you so much for your insight and encouragement I really appreciated this video!

[@LauraSmiles]

Glad it was helpful!

[@MelloneeKecia]

Great video as always and gap year is a really good thing to do

[@LauraSmiles]

Thank you!!!

[@andressmith1414]

I am also taking a gap year because I switched from premed---->predental in my junior year. My only concern is delaying a year of income but I should be able to make it work because of my stock market investments lol.

[@Saidentalvlogs]

Nice video...... How are you managing patients now using PPE KITS ????

[@LauraSmiles]

Thank you! We're actually not seeing patients right now at school. Emergencies are being seen by faculty and residents and us pre-doc students are remote learning

[@sandimonteith9920]

I dont regret taking a gap year but what j regret was not making the most of it...I had ser my goals I made plans but because of the working hours and difficultybofvgetting a job and having a lot of fear caused that huge set back in my gap year so my advice is to exploit that gap year fearlessly and do not limit yourself. That isbifbyou wanna take a gap year😁✌🏿

[@LauraSmiles]

love that statement "use that gap year fearlessly"

[@Dusseljee]

Thanks, this was very useful!

[@LauraSmiles]

Glad it was helpful!

[@Darklovesto]

Oh yah!

[@LauraSmiles]

Yay!

[@elliejones9464]

I thinking of becoming an orthodontist but idk if I’m smart enough and don’t want to try and fail etc is it hard and do you recommend going to dental school

[@cerealis_5432]

Are you still in high school?

[@emiliacatacora9402]

Hello! Thanks for the video. I’m definitely leaning towards taking one gap year (: I was wondering when the latest time I’d be able to take the DAT before applying. I think it’d be suggested to take it the spring semester of my 4th year right?

[@alexandrafil4073]

I think dental assisting sounds great during a gap year before dental school! However, I am concerned about the time it will take to become a dental assistant. Is it a few weeks? A few months? Could I become a dental assistant while still in my senior year of college?

[@andrewaryal]

Hey Laura, on average how many credit hours did you take per semester?

[@LauraSmiles]

Hi! I usually took 12-15 credits every quarter in undergrad!

[@jmd8922]

Hi Laura! I was wondering how we can get involved in dental assisting, like would we need to get registered or licensed or something? I’m nervous that dentists won’t take me if I ask to shadow because I’ll be like a burden who’s just in the office asking questions, slowing them down, and possibly making patients feel uncomfortable (since it would like a stranger sitting in on their dental procedure). I feel like dental assisting would be more helpful for both me and the dentist but I don’t know how to get dental assisting opportunities, so it would be really helpful if you could share about that. Thank you for the great videos!!

[@LauraSmiles]

Great question! I'll try to answer in a future video!!

[@stephanietrevino9568]

Hi, I would recommend going to different dental offices and asking if they allow training. That's what I did and I found an office that trained me how to he a dental assistant for a month before they had me fully assisting. They also helped me get my license. It may be different in every state but it's worth a shot.

[@giannacrescenzo848]

Did you do research through a university even though you weren’t enrolled?

[@ernieyt7942]

Hey Laura, how did you land the research job? Did you need any special qualifications? Also I've been watching you since last summer. You are basically guiding me through this whole thing. Thank you!

[@LauraSmiles]

Most universities post open research positions on their student job websites! I would check your school's job listings!

[@ernieyt7942]

@@LauraSmiles thank you

[@mangomd]

Wouldn’t it be called a diastema year?

[@florencetam2830]

Hi Laura, if I am taking a gap year, and want to go to dental school a year after I graduate undergrad is it too late to take the DAT a few months after I graduate? For more time to study?

[@LauraSmiles]

Hi! In my opinion it's best to take your DAT earlier just in case you want/need to re-take it! :)

[@princessmae7409]

Hi, I am contemplating if I should take dental hygiene or assistant. What can you say about that?😬 I don't know which should I take

[@LauraSmiles]

They're very different jobs! I recommend watching this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/f4ebY5yBn7mootU

[@princessmae7409]

Thanks 💕

[@khmerPradaG]

where you get that hoodie though?

[@LauraSmiles]

Urban

[@leahbyrne_2879]

When u are in dental school do u learn how to ease patients anxiety cuz I have a huge fear of the dentist. Have u got any tips on how to ease fear ❤️❤️

[@LauraSmiles]

Yes we do! Maybe I'll give some tips in a future video!

[@leahbyrne_2879]

Thx so much !!

[@KidrauhlsHfzza]

[@LauraSmiles]