My Journey From a Student to a Teacher and Then a Student Again!

by Rita Chandki

My mother used to say that nothing is constant but the change. My life has witnessed this in more than one way. After every five years or so, I saw myself in a different role and setting. Each of them was an absolute learning experience and played a crucial role in shaping my personality and made me what I am today.

I was born and raised in a humble family in central India. It was my liberal upbringing that spurred my interest in various extracurricular activities in addition to academic excellence. From being a passionate national level skater and roller hockey player in the middle school, a focused debater in high school, to a dental student and then a growing clinician, to finally becoming an educator and researcher for Endodontics, life has been an inevitable change.

As a national level skater, I had the opportunity to travel to different parts of my country, interact and make friends with people from all over India: a conglomeration of multiple cultures, religions and regional languages. This fostered my team spirit and inculcated in me the sense of oneness in spite of the uniqueness of each one of us. I learnt a few life skills that shaped my outlook towards everything. Satisfaction obtained from putting in the best of my efforts became more important to me than the grades. The only person I was competing with was myself. I tried to be a better version of myself with each passing day. My dental education involved studying in four different states in India, and I carry with me some essence of each of them, be it about the culture, linguistics or even food habits. Each of them left an indelible mark in my life that I am proud of.

“I ventured into…teaching clinical Endodontics to undergraduate dental students, lecturing and conducting hands-on workshops on contemporary Endodontic strategies,…and practicing as an Endodontic consultant”

After finishing dental school I ventured into tutoring graduate dental students for post-graduate entrance tests, teaching clinical Endodontics to undergraduate dental students, lecturing and conducting hands-on workshops on contemporary Endodontic strategies including regenerative Endodontics across the globe, and practicing as an Endodontic consultant. I worked as an associate professor for a little over two years during which I had the opportunity to interact with eminent dentists from various countries in international conferences. My decision to pursue advanced dental education in United States was largely influenced by eminent colleagues in India and United States. My friend, philosopher, and guide Dr. Sai Kalyan S., an accomplished Endodontist from India was my guiding source and has been a constant support in all my professional endeavors.

Moving to United States marked a significant change in my professional life as my role reversed from a teacher to a student. The responsibilities that need to be fulfilled before moving to a different country for considerable duration metamorphosed me into a much experienced person. The first few months were a fun filled rollercoaster ride. From landing at the airport on a snowy day, to finding a residence, to food arrangements and to keep up with the fast pace of the program, everything seemed like a daunting task at first glance. It would not be an overstatement that learning never stops in this dynamic, ever changing and ever growing profession. Each day I discover there is so much more to learn and the curriculum is so designed to keep up to the challenges of current state of the art in dental practice. The faculty do an amazing job of making us feel comfortable with the DDS curriculum. Their knowledge, clinical skills, unique ways of teaching, and above all, the ease and humility in their behavior is highly admirable and deserves hearty appreciation.

Being part of an international student program made me meet people from various countries with different cultural backgrounds. Exposure to such diverse set of students gave me the opportunity to not only know their culture and their thought process, but also to try out their culinary specialties. Authentic regional delicacies cooked and served with love in the potluck parties made way into my heart. It felt like a home away from home and made it an unforgettable experience.

The year 2020 will always be remembered in history for COVID-19. Just when we were about to embark on our much desired spring break, COVID-19 was in its full strength and growing stronger. Lock downs were in effect in several parts of the world including the United States. Virtual world with whole array of online classes and exams replaced classroom sessions. These were challenging times and required us to stay strong and not lose ones’ sanity. The faculty kept a constant check on our well being via emails and Zoom meetings. They shared their tips on how to stay focused and make best use of these days. I am proud to be a part of the School of Dental Medicine family and would forever be grateful for this lifetime experience. I look forward with all my heart to make best use of this opportunity that will help me broaden my horizon and be a significant cornerstone in fulfilling my ambition of meeting the global standards in dental health care.

About the Author

Rita Chandki is an ISP-1 student. She has completed her Masters in Endodontics and PhD in Conservative Dentistry and Endodontics from India. Previously, she worked as an Associate Professor at Pravara Institute of Medical Sciences, India and served as an Associate Editor to Endodontology Journal, the official publication of the Indian Endodontic Society. She was actively involved in continued professional development strategies as a key opinion leader for Coltene Whaledent, India.

Rita thrives on learning and new experiences. She strongly believes that every person you meet is a unique source of learning opportunity. She also has keen interest in sports and loves to experiment with cooking. She is embracing this change in her life with zeal and looks forward to her personal and professional growth at the School of Dental Medicine, University of Colorado.