In a piece in the New Dentist Now (8/24) blog, Dr. Nashid Ahmed, a general dentist in Phoenix, Arizona, says that graduating a year ago with a doctorate in dental surgery “solidified the many years of hard work and preparation for a second career that I deemed respectable and enriching.” Still, she says that she had limited experience during her time in dental school and was unfamiliar with “the day to day challenges that came with the profession.” With this in mind, Dr. Ahmed identifies “things dental school left out,” which she calls her “six pearls for the dental soul.” Specifically, she discusses the benefits of being open minded, remembering patients are people, being prepared for criticism, expecting failures, having a great support staff, and continuing to learn.