My internship at the National University Centre for Oral Health Singapore (NUCOHS) was an eye-opener. After spending so much time practising on dental mannequins in school, treating real patients showed me how different clinical practice can be. It was exciting to see the skills I had learnt in class come to life and to be trusted with real patients under the guidance of my clinical supervisors.

One of my most memorable experiences was performing my first extraction of a baby tooth during Dental Therapy. I remember feeling nervous and wondering, “What if something goes wrong?”

With guidance from my supervisor, I learnt to trust my training and approached the procedure with confidence. Successfully completing the extraction gave me a huge sense of accomplishment and showed me that confidence comes from being willing to step outside my comfort zone.

I also learnt that being an oral health therapist (OHT) is more than clinical procedures. Every patient is different, and I had to learn to communicate and adapt to their individual needs.

During a session, I encountered an elderly patient who questioned every step of the history-taking process and became frustrated. I felt overwhelmed initially, but I learnt to remain patient, listen to her concerns and avoid taking her reactions personally. Later, we discovered that we both enjoyed travelling, a simple conversation helped us build a connection beyond the dental chair.

I realised that the person behind the mouth matters just as much as the mouth we are treating. As OHTs, we meet people from different backgrounds every day, and sometimes small moments of genuine connection can help patients feel more comfortable and build trust. I learnt that compassion, patience and communication are just as important as clinical knowledge and technical skills.

Another aspect that surprised me is how much teamwork is involved in providing patient care. I initially thought that I would be working quite independently. Instead, I came to appreciate how closely OHTs work with dental officers, supervisors, nurses, dental assistants and one another. Everyone plays a role in ensuring that the clinic runs smoothly and that patients receive safe and effective care.

The experience also gave me a better understanding of the wide scope of the OHT profession. I had opportunities to experience preventive care, dental therapy and extractions, rather than simply “cleaning teeth”.

Looking back, my internship was more than just an opportunity to practise clinical skills. It helped me become more confident in communicating with patients, taught me to adapt when things did not go as planned, and showed me the importance of working as part of a team. Most importantly, it allowed me to see how the knowledge and skills I learn as an OHT student can make a real difference to patients.