LAHORE: The FMH College of Medicine & Dentistry (FMHCMD), Lahore, held a panel discussion on ‘Bridging the gap between the realities and expectations of clinical setup among young graduates’ as a part of its career counselling programme for the young house officers, and BDS final year and third year students.
Earlier, an interactive orientation session for house officers was conducted by Prof Dr Ayyaz Ali Khan.
The panel discussion was organised by the FMH Liaison Officer for Asia Pacific Dental Students Association (APDSA)- Pakistan, Dr Narmeen Azhar under the supervision of Assistant Professor Orthodontics Dr Asim Riaz in the Gen Attiqueur Rehman Auditorium, FMH College.
The main objective of this discussion was to enlighten the aspiring graduates about different perspectives and insights that could help them establish themselves as successful practitioners. It was also aimed at providing guidance to them and helping them to reach their ultimate goals.
The panelists included Prof Dr Samir Riaz Qazi, Dean of the Institute of Dentistry, CMH, Lahore, Prof Dr Hina Zafar Raja, Prosthodontics department at the Institute of Dentistry, CMH, Lahore Dr Amjed Ali Khan, founder and Principal of Dental Practitioner at Dental Professionals, Dr Tehsina Rauf Malik, Principal Dental Practitioner at Rehman and Rehman, and Dr Dildar Hussain, CEO of Dr Dildar and Associates Gulberg Dental Surgery. Prof Dr Nazia Yazdani attended the panel discussion as the guest of honor. The panel discussion was moderated by Dr Adeela Rafique, Dr Asim Riaz, and Dr Narmeen Azhar.
Over 250 participants, including faculty members, postgraduate trainees, demonstrators, house officers, and final year and third-year students of FMH College of Dentistry, attended the panel discussion.
The APDSA executive committee also participated in the event. Dr Arsal Subah Sadiq, the Founder/Ex-President and Chairperson of the Board of Trustees of the association, addressed the audience, providing updates on the association's activities and ongoing progress.
The panel discussion was organised thematically, with each theme inviting the respective panelists' opinions. At the end of each theme, the audience had the opportunity to ask questions and clarify their ambiguities, if any.
The themes for panel discussion included ‘Good work – life balance’, ‘Strategies needed to apply for a postgraduate programme’, ‘Career options like dental academia, private practice or both’, ‘Preparedness levels of fresh graduate to set up a private practice and how to
build up a clinical practice?’
Speaking on ‘Good work – life balance’, Dr Samir said to achieve something we have to give up on something and make certain sacrifices, urging the audience to prioritize each aspect of their life to achieve the ultimate success. He also advised them to strive hard with utmost honest intention and everything will fall into place at its best possible timing with the blessing of the Allah Almighty.
Dr Hina said the family support system helps in creating a balance and stressed the importance of prioritising the family just like one’s profession to get strength and contentment. For developing private practice, attachment with some leading dental practitioner is important to learn marketing strategies, she added.
Dr Dildar said one should always keep the balance by maintaining peace in life. He also highlighted the significance of skill learning to excel as a general dentist.
He termed patience and ethical practice the key to success within private clinical setup.
Dr Tehsina highlighted the importance of finding one’s passion within a specific field and choosing the specialisation accordingly. To achieve excellence, find out your passion and polish the skill at each level, she added.
She advised the students to explore and take their time before setting up a private clinic, saying there was more scope of practice in remote areas such as Gujrat, Gujranwala, Sialkot.
Dr Samir advised the aspiring professionals to meet a specialist in the field before selecting a postgraduate programme, and decide accordingly. He also highlighted the importance of research to excel in one’s field.
Dr Amjed said the goal should be to know basic dentistry and the design of curriculum should make students learn their subject comprehensively.
He advised the students to utilize the maximum time of their final year and house job for clinical training, have observership in a good private practice, prefer group practice and develop effective communication skills as it is the gateway to excellence.
In his concluding remarks, Dr Samir Qazi said knowing one's limitations in skill and referral opportunities is important. He also emphasised the importance of communication skills and portfolio development.
At the conclusion of the session, FMH College Principal Prof Dr Abid Ashar advised the students to focus on the available opportunities for their maximum benefit, develop soft skills, and hands-on expertise at this point of their career, besides communication skills.
In the end, the audience asked queries about various aspects of the field of dentistry, especially regarding choice of specialisation, importance of co-curricular activities in applying abroad, importance of joining courses for applying abroad and excelling in the field and use of one-year clinical degree abroad as it is not accepted by PMC.
