Last Week

I had made up my mind already to become a dentist, and after interning I am more convinced of what I want to do. Being here has shown me many things that dentists have to deal with including bills, emergencies, and trust. Although it may seem stressful, being a dentist gives you a sense of satisfaction because you see the fruits of your work right away. If someone has a broken tooth or a crown that fell off, once you fix it they are better and you feel good about having helped someone.

Internship Week 3

What are social interactions like in your workplace? Do people spend a lot of time socializing? Are people isolated, doing their own things? Lots of collaboration on work projects? Not much collaboration? How does the social dynamic impact or reflect the organization's work?

The social interactions in the workplace are pretty active. Everyone here works together and talks regularly. It impacts the organization's work by making people who come feel like they are welcome and part of the group.

Internship Week 3

What are you thankful for in your internship experience?


Something I am thankful for in my internship experience is how nice everyone at the office is. Although I feel as if I am in the way sometimes, I never feel like I am disliked. I look forward to coming to the office everyday. 

Internship Week 2

How has or do you see your internship changing the way
you consider that paths your future will take?

 My internship makes me want to become a dentist more than I did before. It also helps me understand things about dentistry more. It makes me focus more on school so I can have good grades that will get me into a college with a good dental school.

Interneship Week 2

What limitations have you recognized in yourself that you
want to overcome, or use this experience to help you overcome?
A limitation that I have recognized in myself during this internship is being squeamish. I would be very nervous about making an incision or pulling a tooth out of someones mouth. I talked to my mentor about it and he said with time you get over that. I don't want my squeamish-ness to hold me back so I am going to learn how to deal with it and get past it.

My Mentor

My mentor's name is Pablo Liciaga and he is a dentist. He is married and has two young children. He works every day of a business week and includes Saturday. Everyday after work he goes home to his family. He takes care of the kids, bathing them and making them food, giving his wife a chance to do her own things. He started off working at a dental office in Chula Vista, but moved his work to Ocean Beach at Dr. Halls office. Dr. Hall had been working for over 25 years and retired, leaving the place to Dr. Liciaga.