The Three Prostho-teers: How 3 students got accepted into the same prosthodontics residency

PART 1: Asma Samara

1. Introduce yourself, where are you from/ grew up/ hobbies?

Hello! My name is Asma Samara and I am originally Palestinian-Jordanian. I was born in New Jersey, but grew up in Amman, Jordan from age 1-10. Then moved to Albuquerque, NM for four years. Then finally, once I started high school, my family moved to Colorado Springs, CO. Some of my hobbies include photography, hiking, and if you want to count in shopping. 

2. why prosth?

I chose prosthodontics because I felt after my short clinical experience in dental school, how rewarding it was to be able to give patients a prosthesis that can help them function again after missing teeth for so long. One patient in particular, inspired my journey. To add on to that, my interactions with Dr. Sutton really pushed me to pursue prosthodontics. He was a great mentor and really guided me through treatment planning with complex patients. I knew I wanted to be able to have the ability to serve patients from simple to complex cases, especially when it came to their treatment options. I also just think occlusion itself is fascinating and how the slightest changes in it make the biggest differences. 

3. When did you know you wanted to go into Prost?

I knew I wanted to go into prosthodontics shortly after the application cycle opened in the summer right before fourth year. I didn’t want to pursue any specialty coming into dental school. However, the clinical experience I had truly inspired my journey and decision to further my training. 

4. What was the interview portion like compared to other specialties?

I am not sure what the interviews were like for other specialties, however, for some programs in prost, if the interview was in person, they asked the interviewees to either drill preps or wax teeth. Most of my interviews were online through zoom. The interview I had in person; however, I was asked to drill two crown preps and one only prep that was specific to that school’s guidelines. It was interesting and nerve racking to have to practice for it, but during the actual process it was easy going and not as intense as I thought it would be. 

5. What are you most excited about in residency?

I am really excited to see what it’s like to almost practice almost as like a private practice. According to what I’ve heard from the current residents, even though we are still students and in training, we still can see our patients and treatment plan as we see fit. We really get to shape our residency experience. Although we will be in the same program, our focuses will be different, and we get to map out what we truly want to focus on and learn.  I am also really excited about the fact that I get to go on this journey with two of my classmates from dental school. It makes having to go to a completely new place does not feel so lonely. 

6. What advice would you give to dental students interested in residency?

The biggest piece of advice I can give is to keep an open mind. I really didn’t think I would specialize and that I would be done after the four years of dental school. But plans always change and experiences truly affect your way of thinking and outlook on how you want to practice in the future. Don’t limit yourself during school and see where your heart and mind lead you.