Resident Spotlight: Dr. Denise Adegoke
Compiled by Dr. Priscilla L. Carpenter
Denise Adegoke, DMD, is a second-year resident at the University of Southern California where she currently serves as the Chief Resident. The Paper Point‘s Dr. Priscilla L. Carpenter recently caught up with her to learn more about her journey to endo.
The Paper Point: Thank you so much for taking time away from your busy schedule for this interview, Denise! Tell our readers a little bit about yourself.
Dr. Denise Adegoke: Thank you for having me! I was born in Florida and proud of my Nigerian heritage. I practiced general dentistry for four years before starting my endodontic residency and have lived in a lot of places since finishing college at the University of Florida. One of the great things about dentistry is all the opportunities around the country (and even internationally!). I have made friends throughout the world through dental conferences and social media. Saying, “yes” has opened so many unexpected doors for me that has provided for some unique experiences like working as a Clinical Research Coordinator on clinical trials for cancer therapies or interning with ADEA and living/working in Washington DC for a summer while in dental school. After practicing general dentistry for a couple of years, I found my passion for endodontics and now get to focus all my time on patient care, research, and literature related to endodontics.
The Paper Point: Illinois, Florida, Texas, Missouri, California, oh my! You’ve been around the country, practicing as a GP and now as an endodontic resident. What state has been your favorite place to live so far, and how was your transition from the east coast to the west coast?
Dr. Adegoke: California has been my favorite so far! The state is huge, diverse, and there is always something to do, something to see, and being close to many beaches is a huge plus. I’ve enjoyed hiking the coast lines and taking in the beautiful scenery of southern California. The transition to the west coast was easy for me as I have family and friends in the area. The most difficult part of living in Los Angeles is the traffic.
The Paper Point: I love that! Not everyone can hop coasts and make it look as effortless as you have. Switching gears, it seems as though you were able to make the most of your time in dental school, in both leadership positions and service. You also attended a few externships in OMFS, even winning the Excellence in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Award in your final year of dental school. What influenced your decision to pursue endodontics?
Dr. Adegoke: I enjoyed working with the oral and maxillofacial surgery department at my university and was eager to gain as much knowledge as I could in the field. I had great mentors who welcomed me and fostered an environment that encouraged learning. My externships in OMFS provided me with valuable experience that I used in my general dentistry practice and even now in residency. When I began practicing, the populations I served were primarily Urgent Care visits and heavily extraction based. Through that experience of providing dentoalveolar surgery and fabrication of prosthetic appliances, my interest in endodontics increased heavily. I liked endodontics in dental school, but as I gained more experience in general dentistry, I saw a need and specialty I wanted to devote my career to and become an expert. I believe in the value of saving
teeth and helping patients make informed decisions about their health. The microsurgery aspect of endodontics also caught my attention early on in my career.
The Paper Point: That’s awesome! What has been the best part of your endodontic residency so far?
Dr. Adegoke: MY TEAM! I’ve got to shout out my co-residents & faculty at USC! We have a great environment that is supportive and collaborative. We learn from each other daily. I enjoy our case discussions and being able to see a wide variety of treatments. On top of working with some of the best people, I truly get to live my
dream of being focused on endodontics and treating patients.
The Paper Point: Support and collaboration is so important! Let’s move on to your background… Your impressive list of accomplishments includes being an adjunct professor at AT Still University-Missouri School of Dentistry and Oral Health, and now you are back to teaching while at USC. What has been the most rewarding aspect of being an instructor? Any plans to continue teaching in the future?
Dr. Adegoke: As a part of residency, we teach the pre-doctoral students in the sim lab and supervise them in the student clinic. The most rewarding aspect of being an instructor is when the student “gets it.” The moment they understand the concept and they can apply it to the situation is super exciting for me. One of my personal goals is for students (and patients) to have a positive outlook towards endodontics. Even if they never do another root canal outside of school, I hope they can understand the basics, see the value, and be able to communicate with colleagues in the future. I see myself returning to academic dentistry in the future
in some capacity.
The Paper Point: I hear that you have a green thumb. What has been your favorite
thing (flowers, vegetables, etc.) to plant, nurture, and grow?
Dr. Adegoke: Flowers are my favorite thing to grow. I have grown hydrangeas, peonies, sunflowers, and zinnias. I have also grown my own watermelons, cucumber, tomatoes, and bell peppers. The local deer have also enjoyed the “fruits” of my labor as a snack!
The Paper Point: Talk about a jack of all trades! If nothing else, I know those deer appreciated your contribution. When you aren’t busy saving teeth, what else do you enjoy doing with your time?
Dr. Adegoke: Outside of dentistry I enjoy yoga, hiking, and sports! I am a huge fan of college football. Weekends are always nice, but Saturdays are even more exciting in the fall! Go Gators & Fight On!
The Paper Point: Before you know it, you’re going to blink and it’ll be July 2024. Graduation is just around the corner! What is next for you?
Dr. Adegoke: I am currently looking for and open to associateships, faculty positions, or practice transitions. There are so many great opportunities, and I am looking forward to figuring out my next steps.
The Paper Point: That’s definitely understandable. The world is your oyster, we wish you the best of luck! Thank you so much, Dr. Adegoke for spending some time chatting with us! Any final
words for our readers?
Dr. Adegoke: Having a positive attitude and practicing gratitude can make a big difference in your day. Residency and life goes by fast. Take time to enjoy it. Share love with one another and I hope great joy finds you!
Dr. Priscilla L. Carpenter is a member of the AAE’s Resident and New Practitioner Committee.