Being a full-time dental student is difficult enough; why, then, should you bother to squeeze research into your busy schedule? As I have become all too aware, research is indispensable to healthcare. Dating back to the pea plant experiments of Gregor Mendel and the discovery of penicillin by Alexander Fleming, scientific breakthroughs have led the way to modern medicine. From basic sciences to clinical research, persistent work of researchers continues to inform and transform healthcare.
Every clinician, including dentists, should stay up to date with current research and be proficient in critically appraising research and guiding his or her practice based on sound research. Taking a step further and participating in research is even more laudable and is increasingly becoming a “must” since it (1) deepens one’s understanding of evolving clinical practice, (2) improves critical thinking skills and clinical acumen, (3) attests one’s intellectual curiosity and leadership in his or her field of expertise, and (4) ultimately benefits the health of the communities he or she serves. Especially relevant to dental students, a track record of research participation improves one’s chances of getting accepted into postgraduate residency and specialized training programs.
At NYU College of Dentistry, participating in research is not mandatory but is highly encouraged, and students can take part in research via several routes. As an incoming student, one can apply for the Summer Research Experience Program which is a full-time research immersion program taking place during the month of June before D1 year starts. As a current dental student, a formal way to get involved in research is to apply for the Dental Academic Research Experience (DARE) program or the Independent Research course. D2 to D4 students can participate in the DARE program in the Fall and/or Spring semester, and it is a 15-week, 3-credit pass or fail course requiring fifteen hours of research activity each week. You need to identify a faculty mentor and have a summary of a research project as a part of your application. Independent research, on the other hand, is a 1-credit course requiring 3 hours of commitment each week. If you opt out of enrolling in a research course, you can informally do research if you have a research project and a faculty member who can help guide you.
You can discuss which particular track may be more suitable depending on the nature of your research project. You work on a basic science research project that involves many hours spent at the bench lab doing pipetting, sectioning, staining, and photographing results. Or you may collaborate on writing a review article summarizing, for instance, the effectiveness of SDF for reducing caries in children of different demographics. You may also work on a clinical case report if you treated a patient with an interesting medical or dental condition.
To briefly discuss my own research journey at NYU College of Dentistry, I participated in the Summer Research Experience in the summer before D1 year started. I worked in Dr. Paulo Coelho’s biomaterials lab, where I assisted studies that investigated osseointegration of 3D-printed bioactive ceramic implant scaffolds in animal models. During my D1 year, my increasing interest in genome research and precision dentistry led me to apply for the DARE program with Dr. Juhee Jeong, who does research on genetic regulation of calvarial development. I first met her at one of the lectures for my D1 embryology course, and inspired by her work and expertise, I emailed her to set up a meeting to discuss joining her lab. Since then, I’ve assisted various projects at Dr. Jeong’s lab as well as conducted an independent research project.
As a part of the D2 DARE program, I investigated the role of Lmx1b, a transcription factor gene, in regulating osteogenesis in early calvarial development, and the highlight of the project was when I presented my findings at the Annual Molecular Pathology Innovative Research Symposium, as well as the 2021 IADR/AADR/CADR General Session. Other great events where you can present your research include the NYU College of Dentistry Annual Research Days in April of each year, the Greater New York Dental Meeting, and conferences in your relevant specialty fields. While the research process requires patience and can present many challenges, it is deeply rewarding when you reap the fruits of arduous work and know that you’ve illuminated the previously unknown.
There are so many resources and opportunities at NYUCD to take advantage of, and I believe one of the most unique opportunities is its rapidly growing research program. NYU College of Dentistry has one of the largest and the most productive research programs led by renowned professors who are pioneers in their field, and I would like to encourage all incoming D1 students to consider getting involved in research and making the most they can of their time at NYUCD.
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