Pacific Coast Society of Orthodontists Bulletin Fall 2016 - 40

New and Younger Members Dr. Nicole Starkey, Orthodontic Resident, University of Southern California Dr. Vanessa Peterson New and Younger Members Committee Dr. Nicole Starkey Orthodontic Resident, University of Southern California Abstract Two interviews, one with Dr. Nicole Starkey, 3rd year orthodontic resident at University of Southern California, and the other with recent graduate, Dr. Tamara Shamlian of Clarity Orthodontics, detail the journey these women are taking as they enter the field of orthodontics. Why did you apply to the orthodontic program? I decided that I was going to be an orthodontist at the young age of eight. Growing up, going to the dentist sent chills down my spine; I had multiple negative experiences and thought dentistry meant pain. I expected to feel the same way at the orthodontist's office, but that is when my attitude towards dentistry changed completely. I was fascinated with typodonts, braces, and other orthodontic appliances. From that day forward, I loved going to each and every orthodontic visit. I experienced a complete change in self-esteem after my teeth were aligned and my smile was transformed via orthodontics. Through shadowing experiences during high school and college, I confirmed my passion for orthodontics. I enjoyed dental school at USC, but knew that orthodontics was the path for me. Now, being a resident, I enjoy every aspect of orthodontics: the initial patient interactions during screening, the critical thinking involved in diagnosis and treatment planning, the creativity and attention to detail that goes into creating an esthetic facial profile and functional occlusion for each patient, and most importantly, the ability to create a relationship with the patient and family, leaving a positive impact on their lives. Tell me about your orthodontic residency program. I am currently a third-year resident at the University of Southern California. The orthodontic residency at USC is a 33-month program that focuses heavily on patient clinical care while also preparing each resident to become an ABO-certified orthodontist. Each resident also obtains a Master of Science degree and completes a research project through the Craniofacial Biology Program at 40 USC. The dedicated group of full- and part-time faculty creates an amazing learning environment, teaching residents various orthodontic treatment modalities and practice management strategies. Our program has a strong background in treating surgical cases, and we work closely with the oral surgery department and esteemed surgeons from the Southern California area, such as Drs. Relle and Walline. We also work closely with the graduate periodontics and operative departments to treat multi-disciplinary cases. I feel very blessed to be able to try a variety of appliances as a resident, including edgewise brackets, self-ligating brackets, TADs, headgear, and intraoral scanners. Further, the emphasis that USC places on practice management principles is unparalleled. Ellen Grady teaches us a oneof-a-kind year-long practice management course that I am confident will benefit each resident's future career as an orthodontist. What are some highlights of your residency? I am very proud that I will graduate as a USCtrained orthodontist, and especially as one of the residents in the first all-female orthodontic class in the United States. Being surrounded by wonderful co-residents, outstanding faculty, and hardworking staff creates an optimal learning environment. Clinically, we are taught many different approaches; therefore, we are able to treat patients with various treatment complexities. As residents, we have also had fun travelling and learning together at the Tweed Study Course in Tucson, various courses taught by Dr. McLaughlin in San Diego and Las Vegas, and Invisalign and practice management courses in Kansas from Dr. Fry. In September, my class has the opportunity to travel to Tokyo and Osaka, Japan- a trip we are all very excited about, and one I'm sure we will remember forever. What are your plans after graduation? My husband and I hope to stay in Southern California following graduation. Although I eventually want to own a practice, I am looking into PCSO Bulletin  Fall 2016

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Pacific Coast Society of Orthodontists Bulletin Fall 2016