Smile 11: Dr. Victor Chow

Name: Victor Chow

State or Country: NY

School: NYU College of Dentistry

Occupation: Dentist

What is your educational background?

Bachelors of Science – Anatomy and Cell Biology

Why did you choose this career?

I enjoy working with my hands and this is one of the few profession in the medical field with a certain artistic aspect to it.

What do you like the most about your career and the least?

I enjoy the day to day conversations with all my patients and working together with my team to build a positive and fun environment. This makes me really enjoy going in to work each day. I dislike how there is a notion that everyone hates the dentist.

What advice do you wish someone would have shared with you before entering your career?

Understanding how much time you must commit to dentistry even after dental school in order to excel and perfect your trade.

Do you have any tips or advice for people considering this field for their profession?

It is very expensive and if you’re going into it for the money then you will be vastly disappointed. Only go into dentistry if you truly think you would enjoy it or else you will hate it.

How did you manage your stress and workload during school?

Always made time to have fun no matter how stressed I was at school.

Name one of your favorite experiences during your time studying or working?

Can’t just name one but on several occasions when you finish treating your patient and they look in the mirror for the very first time you slowly see their face glow with a great big smile.

Any tips or advice for new students working on the clinic floor?

Enjoy every minute of it and don’t be afraid to try to do everything!

Name one of your favorite clinical rotations and why?

Pediatric rotation because I felt like a kid myself during that time.

What are some helpful materials/resources you used to study and prepare for your board or license exams?

NBDE Decks and old questions!

Discuss one challenge you faced during your studies or work. How did you overcome it?

Finding enough time to learn how to do everything in dentistry. You don’t. Narrow down to the CE courses that you find most interest in, speak to colleagues and friends, and learn as much as you can as you work!