Whether you’re a patient or a pre-dental student, dentistry can sometimes feel intimidating, unfamiliar, and even scary at times. That feeling is what inspired me to start sharing parts of my journey as a dental student on social media. My goal with my dental page @norm.dentistry is to help make the field feel more approachable, relatable, and human, no matter your background or experience.
In the early stages of dental school, everything is new. We’re learning foundational skills, understanding the reasoning behind techniques, and gradually becoming more familiar with this new environment. What has stood out to me the most is how much growth happens through the process itself. There is a lot of repetition, patience, and reflection involved. Small steps that, over time, build into confidence. By sharing glimpses of this learning process, I hope to show that becoming comfortable in dentistry doesn’t happen all at once. It’s something we’re growing into, one day at a time.
Before entering dental school, I was fascinated with what the journey actually looked like, not just the finished skill or final result, but the path that leads there. I had questions about what the day-to-day experience felt like, how students coped with uncertainty, and what it was like to learn something so detailed and hands-on. Now that I’m on that path myself, I share reflections on these experiences so others who are curious about the field can see that learning is gradual, and that it’s normal to not have everything figured out right away.
I also reflect on my experiences leading up to dental school. For many pre-dental students, the path can feel overwhelming. I remember wondering whether I was “doing enough” or progressing in the “right direction”. Hearing from others who were a step ahead of me made a meaningful difference. It made the goal feel real and attainable. When I share my own experiences, it’s not as advice or instruction, but simply to show that growth is not linear, and uncertainty is a natural part of pursuing something meaningful.
What I hope comes across most is that dentistry isn’t just a technical profession, it’s deeply human. It’s about learning, patience, and doing things with intention. Sharing my journey online has allowed me to connect with others who are learning, curious, or simply interested in understanding what goes on behind the scenes. As I continue through dental school, I look forward to growing alongside the individuals who follow along, sharing challenges, accomplishments, and the meaningful moments in between.
– Naumce (Norm) Trpeski, dental student, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry