What are the best things about attending University at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine?

First on the list is our new Pre-Clinic lab. You will spend a lot of time in this lab during your first and second year of dental school, and let me tell you, it really is pretty cool. Each student has their own station with a complete operatory, hydraulic manikin and electric handpieces. In your first semester, you are holding a hand piece and performing various types of restorations on practice teeth. Due to the large number of projects and requirements completed during preclinic in the first and second year, students become proficient in restorative treatments before the clinical years. Many find the intense workload so early on in dental school causes a rough transition from undergrad to UB dental. But you’ll be glad you struggled early, in preclinic, because it will alleviate a lot of struggle down the road in clinic. The amount of experience and dexterity that you gain from starting so early on in the curriculum is amazing and really prepares you for when you move up to the clinic.

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What are the worst things about attending University at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine?

First of all, the weather in Buffalo isn't exactly sunny and 75 every day. Although the summer and fall are beautiful times of year in Western NY, the winter gets extremely cold and snowy. So if you are not used to driving in the snow, buy a set of snow tires. However, if you are an avid skier/snowboarder or ice skater, there are plenty of opportunities for those activities nearby. Secondly, our clinic in the dental school is currently undergoing renovations which will last for the next few years. The end result of these renovations will be amazing. They include brand new operatories and chairs in every floor of the clinic, and a brand-new implant center, just to name a couple things. The downside to this construction, however, is that they have to shut down one floor of the clinic at a time to complete it. Although it won’t affect the education you will get here, I would be lying to you if I didn’t point it out as being a minor inconvenience. There is still plenty of space to treat all our patients, it is just a little noisy and messy for the time being, and we’ve had to change the locations of some of our waiting rooms. The good news is that you will see the finished product in your time there, which I’m sure will be worth the difficulties during the time of construction.

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What do students need to know/what do you wish you knew before attending University at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine?

I think the main thing that students need to know before attending UBSDM is that you shouldn’t stress or put too much pressure on yourself while in school. I have seen many classmates become overwhelmed by the workload of dental school. Don’t get me wrong, it is not easy, but it is very manageable. I believe that it is important to make time for yourself and the things you love to do outside of school, so try to keep that in mind. The people at this school genuinely want you to succeed and graduate. The first day you set foot on campus, you will hear our dean, or other faculty members, address the fact that you will graduate with everyone you are sitting with. I think that culture alone is something that makes this school such a great place to receive an education.

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