We’re excited to announce our new partnership with Boston University’s Goldman School of Dental Medicine, and award two 3rd year dental students with $5,000 scholarships. The Aspen Dental Scholarship was recently awarded to Marina Gonchar, DMD ’14, and Benjamin Irzyk, DMD ‘14.
Here at Aspen Dental, we are proud to support dental schools nationwide and help dental students achieve their full potential during their studies. In turn, this helps us nurture the next generation of top-notch dentists to ensure that patients have access to the quality care they need.
We talked to Marina and Benjamin about their career paths as dentists:
Left to right: Joseph Calabrese, DMD; Marina Gonchar, DMD ’14; Benjamin Irzyk, DMD ’14; Catherine Sarkis, JD, MBA
Marina Gonchar
DMD ’14
What do you like most about dentistry?
I would have to say that as dentist we are able to make assessments that not only affect the oral cavity but the quality of overall health of the patient. Dentistry combines multiple skill sets to help provide comprehensive care to patients. Many times the dentist will be the first to have the opportunity to identify manifestations of diseases. I truly came to appreciate this point at Boston University Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine.
What are your career goals as a Dentist?
As a dentist my primary goal is to be able to provide outstanding comprehensive dental care to my patients. To achieve this goal one must commit to being a lifelong learner and stay current with the changes that technology will bring. It is important to also stay connected to the profession and your patients by getting actively involved in organized dentistry and serving your community outside the office.
Ben Irzyk
DMD ‘14
What influenced you to attend dental school?
I remember being asked what we wanted to be when we grew up in 4th grade and I had written down “dentist.” When I got into high school I started shadowing my hometown dentist. It turned out that after the first day in the office I was hooked; I spent the rest of the summer hanging around the office trying to learn as much as I could. Ultimately, I made the library my home during undergraduate studies and did whatever I could to build up my resume to apply to dental school after my 4 years at school. I am still as passionate and excited to be a part of such a great profession as I was 15 years ago.
What do you like most about dentistry?
The number one goal I have as a dentist is to always put my patients first. In an ideal world I would retire with never having lost a patient due to frustration or unsatisfactory care or compassion for them. I want to develop skills that allow me to communicate clearly with my patients to form more than just a professional relationship but a trust and understanding. A dentist once told me, “The dentistry is the easy part.” He meant that the clinical work performed every day is what we have been trained to do and what we will be doing for the rest of our lives. To develop skills outside of the clinical realm is what can really set a dentist apart from the rest. The skills and confidence still need to be sound but listening to the patients and putting them first can really go a long way.
Congratulations Marina and Ben and best of luck in your dental careers!
© 2012, Arwinder Judge, DDS. All rights reserved.
