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The world outside the dental chair

BDJ Student volume 32, pages 24–26 (2025)Cite this article

As dental students, much of our focus is on navigating the immense academic challenges of dental school - balancing clinics, exams, time with friends and family, and of course, our own mental health. Rarely do we stop to consider the realities of working outside the security of dental school. Yet, as we approach qualification, it becomes clear that the challenges of the profession extend far beyond the technical skills we learn. Challenges like long waiting times, lack of appointments, and the cost of treatment highlight significant barriers to care that many patients face daily.

Unfortunately, there is an exhaustive list of limitations that patients face when attempting to receive dental care - both inside and outside the dental chair. While dental school is a phase where we are sheltered from the harsh realities of the profession, many of us have witnessed the struggles that patients endure. This exposure, however, represents only a small fraction of the broader difficulties they face, and it is sobering to consider the full extent of these challenges in the real world.

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References

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  1. King´s College London, London, United Kingdom

    Sarah Al Chalabi & Aanya Khandelwal

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  1. Sarah Al Chalabi
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  2. Aanya Khandelwal
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Correspondence to Sarah Al Chalabi.

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Al Chalabi, S., Khandelwal, A. The world outside the dental chair. BDJ Student 32, 24–26 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41406-025-1475-2

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