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For 16
years, I practiced at the Dental Clinic of the Toledo-Lucas
County Health Department, where I most recently served as
dental director. While there, I provided comprehensive
dental care both there in the clinic and also through an
outreach program in many of the local elementary schools
meeting the dental needs of tens of thousands over the
years.
Last
year, I transitioned from public service to private practice
and am now in practice providing family dentistry with Namay
Dentistry at the Northwood office.
Choosing
a career path in dentistry definitely presents a unique set
of challenges. First, it is not a career choice that many
people even consider. Few people get into the profession,
and even fewer are African-American.
To even
be considered, you have to have excellent grades through
college, keeping at least a 3.6 grade point average. The
coursework is intense and rigorous, just as in medical
school.
Good
people skills are necessary, both in school and beyond into
your career. The work can be stressful, as you are working
in a very small space and performing very exacting
procedures, while dealing with a patient who may be fearful
or not very cooperative. And also unfortunately, even
though it is 2019, people are going to question and doubt
your competency, your skill and your knowledge based upon
how you look. You just have to put your best foot forward
and be your absolute best every day.
If anyone
were to consider a career path in dentistry or any of the
health professions, it would be wise to do as much research
as possible, as soon as possible. See exactly what is
involved and what sort of tasks would be expected of you.
Be open-minded and flexible. You just may learn that you
find something interesting that you had not even
considered.
Take
school seriously. How you perform now can literally impact
you for the rest of your life. Find a support-system of
like-minded people who are on a similar career track. You
can help each other out to achieve your goals. Reach out
and find someone to mentor you. Others have come before you
and will be more than willing to help you and give advice
along your journey. And finally, BELIEVE IN YOURSELF. YOU
CAN DO IT!!
Dr. Michael Stubblefield, is in private practice with Namay
Dentistry, Northwood, OH
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