MENTORSHIP: DR. THORNTON'S FAMILY DENTISTRY
Before any mentorship's were set up, Mrs. Killingsworth, the Honors Mentorship Program director, held meetings with each school to determine what careers each student was interested in. I knew that I wanted to witness surgeries first hand, so I wanted to be placed in the North East Georgia Medical Center. But as time progressed, complications arose due to age restrictions of the hospital. As time passed Mrs. Killingsworth later introduced me to Gainesville Surgery Center, but again due to certain regulations I was not able to be mentored there.
But of course there is always a light at the end of the tunnel. Mrs. Killingsworth, finally introduced me to the idea of Dentistry. I hadn't really thought about becoming a Dentist, but when Mrs. Killingsworth described the different procedures I would be seeing, I was all for it. This brings me to my mentorship at, Doctor Thornton's Family Dentistry.
Doctor Thornton's Family Dentistry, is owned by Dr. Thornton, D.M.D., a general dentist. Dr. Thornton graduated from both Emory University and the Medical College of Georgia School of Dentistry. He graduated in the year of 1974 and served as a dentist in the U.S. Naval Dental Corps and is now currently a dentist in the city of Gainesville. He has been practicing dentistry for approximately 43 years now. Doctor Thornton's Family Dentistry currently has, one registered Dental Hygienist, Mrs. Brandy, a lead dental assistant, Mrs. Sylvia, and the Office Receptionist, Ms. Debbie. Every single one of these people have shown me how important it is too work together to ensure that everything runs smoothly and as efficiently as possible. I mentored at this office from the months of September 2016 to April of 2017.
Every day that I was mentored here I can truly say that I was more than excited. I loved coming in every morning and seeing that bright smile on Ms. Debbie's face. As well as a good morning greet by the rest of the team. Dr. Thornton who was my mentor, always let me feel like I had become part of the family in the office. Through my mentorship here I was able to see many tooth fillings, crowns, a couple root canals, and mouth impressions. Dr. Thornton always allowed me to stand right behind him to see every procedure he conducted very closely. I was given my personal scrub coat, gloves, and mask, so I really felt like I was in there helping Dr. Thornton. In addition, Dr. Thornton would ask me after a patient if I had any questions concerning what he had just performed on the patients. He would show me x-rays, he showed me how he fixed dentures, how he filled each tray with a substance to create an impression. By far the best mentor, I could have ever hoped for.
Through my mentorship I have learned that dentistry is definitely a career that I could go into. Dentistry is profession of patience, perfection, and responsibility. Which I believe are some characteristics that I have acquired and will acquire in the future. One of my favorite things about this mentorship was the fact that Dr. Thornton had his private practice, which is something I am looking to having in the future. I would love to own my private practice, because I believe that it helps grow a deeper connection with every single one of your patients. With the help of Dr. Thornton and the rest of the team, I believe that they have prepared me for my future career.
But of course there is always a light at the end of the tunnel. Mrs. Killingsworth, finally introduced me to the idea of Dentistry. I hadn't really thought about becoming a Dentist, but when Mrs. Killingsworth described the different procedures I would be seeing, I was all for it. This brings me to my mentorship at, Doctor Thornton's Family Dentistry.
Doctor Thornton's Family Dentistry, is owned by Dr. Thornton, D.M.D., a general dentist. Dr. Thornton graduated from both Emory University and the Medical College of Georgia School of Dentistry. He graduated in the year of 1974 and served as a dentist in the U.S. Naval Dental Corps and is now currently a dentist in the city of Gainesville. He has been practicing dentistry for approximately 43 years now. Doctor Thornton's Family Dentistry currently has, one registered Dental Hygienist, Mrs. Brandy, a lead dental assistant, Mrs. Sylvia, and the Office Receptionist, Ms. Debbie. Every single one of these people have shown me how important it is too work together to ensure that everything runs smoothly and as efficiently as possible. I mentored at this office from the months of September 2016 to April of 2017.
Every day that I was mentored here I can truly say that I was more than excited. I loved coming in every morning and seeing that bright smile on Ms. Debbie's face. As well as a good morning greet by the rest of the team. Dr. Thornton who was my mentor, always let me feel like I had become part of the family in the office. Through my mentorship here I was able to see many tooth fillings, crowns, a couple root canals, and mouth impressions. Dr. Thornton always allowed me to stand right behind him to see every procedure he conducted very closely. I was given my personal scrub coat, gloves, and mask, so I really felt like I was in there helping Dr. Thornton. In addition, Dr. Thornton would ask me after a patient if I had any questions concerning what he had just performed on the patients. He would show me x-rays, he showed me how he fixed dentures, how he filled each tray with a substance to create an impression. By far the best mentor, I could have ever hoped for.
Through my mentorship I have learned that dentistry is definitely a career that I could go into. Dentistry is profession of patience, perfection, and responsibility. Which I believe are some characteristics that I have acquired and will acquire in the future. One of my favorite things about this mentorship was the fact that Dr. Thornton had his private practice, which is something I am looking to having in the future. I would love to own my private practice, because I believe that it helps grow a deeper connection with every single one of your patients. With the help of Dr. Thornton and the rest of the team, I believe that they have prepared me for my future career.
*to see the interview conducted on my mentor, Dr. Thornton, click the button below*
*below are some photos of Dr. Thornton and his staff*