Paper Point Editorial – February 2024

Dear Endodontic Residents and New Practitioners,

A few weeks back I had an undergraduate student shadowing for the day who asked me how I knew I could make it through the rigors of dental school, residency, and beyond when I was in his shoes? After a short pause to gather my thoughts, I shared a quote with him that I have been clinging to since high school.

“Never be limited by other people’s limited imaginations.” -Dr. Mae Jemison

For those of you who are not familiar with Dr. Mae Jemison: she is an Alabama native and physician who went on to become the first Black woman to travel into space. I remember someone sharing this quote with me back when I was in high school and to this day, I am still living by it. Unfortunately internalizing this quote does not prevent challenges along the way; however, it does keep you (and not your haters) in control of your own trajectory. No matter if it is your basic science research or a trip to space that is on your mind.. keep dreaming, keep believing, and keep showing up.. you’re going to be surprised where you land!

Speaking of big ideas, I am so excited about the Freedom Scholarship ($50,000) that is being awarded to 3 endodontic residents this spring by the Foundation for Endodontics & Dentsply Sirona! You can click here or visit the AAE Foundation for Endodontics website to learn more about the application process. Most importantly, make sure that you have everything submitted prior to the March 15 deadline.

While we are on deadlines, here are just a couple of other dates coming up to keep in mind:

• March 10 – Daylight Savings Time: spring forward!
• March 15 – AAEF Freedom Scholarship Application Deadline
• March 17 – Submit an entry to the MTA Madness Bracket Challenge: registration details will be emailed out at the beginning of March
• April 17-20 – AAE24 Annual Meeting (Los Angeles)
• August 16-17 – APICES Resident Meeting (Austin, Texas)

If you have any idea that you would like the RNPC to bring to life, questions about the transition from residency to the real world, want to learn more about getting involved with the AAE, or are ready to submit an article to the next edition of the Paper Point, feel free to reach out to me any time at acgdmd@gmail.com.

Austyn C. Grissom
Chair, Resident and New Practitioner Committee