July Paper Point Editorial
By Priscilla L. Carpenter, D.D.S., M.S.
A New View
There’s something special about July in endodontics.
Across the country, clinics are buzzing with excitement as a new class of residents settles in, returning residents take on new responsibilities, and graduating residents begin the next phase of their careers. It’s a month filled with fresh starts, new perspectives, and endless possibilities.
For our incoming first-year residents, welcome! In the coming weeks, you’ll spend countless hours behind the microscope. At first, it may feel unfamiliar, finding your orientation, adjusting your ergonomics, learning to work in a magnified world. But before long, what once seemed overwhelming will become second nature. In many ways, residency itself follows that same path. There will be moments that challenge you, frustrate you, and stretch you beyond what you thought you were capable of. Lean into those moments. Every difficult case, every question you ask, and every lesson you learn is shaping you into the endodontist you set out to become.
To our second-year residents, congratulations on reaching this milestone. Think back to where you were just one year ago. The things that once required your full concentration now come with greater confidence. As you continue to grow clinically, you’ll also become an important resource for your newest co-residents. Never underestimate the impact of a kind word, a helpful tip, or simply reminding someone that they’re not alone in the learning process.
To our residents entering the final year of their two or three-year programs, this is your opportunity to refine your craft and prepare for what’s next. Take advantage of every remaining opportunity to learn from your faculty, challenge yourself with complex cases, and enjoy the unique camaraderie that residency offers.
And to our newest endodontists, congratulations!!! Completing residency is an incredible accomplishment, but graduation isn’t the finish line; it’s the starting point of a lifelong career. As you begin your first months in practice, remember that no one expects you to know everything. Continue asking questions, seek out mentors, stay connected with your classmates, and embrace every opportunity to learn. The transition from resident to practitioner comes with new challenges, but it’s also one of the most rewarding seasons of your career. Trust the training that brought you here, and don’t lose the curiosity that made you successful in residency.
One of my favorite things about our specialty is that we never stop learning. Even after residency, every case teaches us something new. The curiosity, humility, and commitment to excellence you develop now will serve you throughout your career.
As this new academic year begins, I also want to encourage you to join us for APICES 2026 on August 14-15 in St. Louis. APICES is one of the few opportunities each year where residents from across the country come together to learn, collaborate, and build friendships that often last well beyond residency. Whether you’re attending for the first time or returning for another year, I hope you’ll take full advantage of the experience. The conversations between lectures, the people you meet, and the shared experiences with your fellow residents are just as valuable as the educational program itself.
To our newest residents, welcome to the family. To our returning residents, welcome back.
Wherever you are in your journey, take a moment to appreciate how far you’ve come, embrace the challenges ahead, and remember to enjoy the process.
Here’s to another incredible year of learning, growth, and advancing our specialty. I can’t wait to see many of you in St. Louis.
As Chair of the Resident and New Practitioner Committee, I want The Paper Point, and our committee, to be a resource for you. If there are topics you’d like to see covered in future editions, ideas for educational or networking opportunities, or ways you think the RNPC can better serve residents and new practitioners, I’d love to hear from you. Please don’t hesitate to reach out at PCarpenter.DDS@gmail.com. Your feedback, ideas, and involvement help shape the future of our committee and strengthen our endodontic community.
All the best,
Priscilla L. Carpenter, D.D.S., M.S.
Resident and New Practitioner Committee Chair