Science Communication

A major portion of our capstone focused on our ability to communicate science to different audiences, including fellow scientists and the general public.

The Cost of Calling Someone an “Addict”

This editorial was a different type of writing for me because it focused less on research and more on communication and impact. Writing about stigma in opioid use disorder made me think more about how language shapes the way people are treated, especially in healthcare. It helped me develop my Scientific Communication by pushing me to explain complex ideas in a way that is clear, relatable, and meaningful to a general audience.

One of the biggest takeaways for me was realizing how small word choices can have a big impact. Changing terms like “addict” to person-first language seems simple, but it can influence how people are perceived and whether they feel comfortable seeking care. This also connects to Professionalism & Ethics, because it made me more aware of the responsibility healthcare providers have in how they speak about patients.

This piece is meaningful to me because it connects to my future career in dentistry. It reminded me that being a good provider isn’t just about clinical skills, but also about empathy, respect, and communication.

Professional Materials

Working on both my CV and personal statement helped me reflect on my experiences and how they have shaped my path toward dentistry. While my CV allowed me to see all of my academic, clinical, and leadership experiences in one place, my personal statement pushed me to think more deeply about why those experiences matter.

Through this process, I started to recognize patterns in my involvement, especially my interest in patient care, teamwork, and building relationships. My work in interprofessional clinics and experiences in healthcare settings showed me how important collaboration and communication are in improving patient outcomes. Reflecting on earlier moments, like my own experiences at the dentist and seeing the impact providers can have on patients’ confidence and well-being, helped reinforce my decision to pursue this career.

This artifact demonstrates Reflection & Career Readiness and Professionalism & Ethics because it shows both my growth over time and my commitment to becoming a compassionate, patient-centered provider. It also helped me build confidence in how I present myself professionally and clearly communicate my goals.

Overall, this process was meaningful because it brought everything together and helped me better understand the kind of dentist I want to become.

Poster Defense

Creating this research poster helped me learn how to present scientific information in a more visual and concise way. Instead of writing everything out like a paper, I had to focus on what was most important and how to communicate it clearly through figures, graphs, and short sections. This strengthened my Scientific Communication, especially in visual formats.

One challenge was figuring out how to simplify my findings without losing meaning. The graphs showing higher neuroinflammation and amyloid burden in the periodontitis group (shown in the results section of the poster) forced me to think about how to present data in a way that is easy to understand at a glance. This also built on my Data Literacy & Evidence Use.

This project is meaningful because it reflects how research is often shared in real-world settings like conferences. It also connects to my goal of becoming a dentist by reinforcing the importance of understanding and communicating research related to oral-systemic health.