The Marvels of Dentistry

Christopher Walker
Advanced Scientific Research
STEM Capstone
This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-NC

Abstract Applied Learning Product Background & Career

As part of my STEM Capstone class, we were required to seek an internship that best fit our
career aspirations and to produce a unique proposal project that connects to both the internship
and our chosen field. As such, I pursued and was accepted as an intern for a dental practice
called 32 Dental. I can honestly say I am very happy with the experience and knowledge I
gained while working with the dental staff and getting to know what they do on a daily basis.
The practice was well run and the always very clean and organized. However, to my
surprise, I learned that the practice had not yet taken advantage of many digital and social
media driven technological advancements which could really help both the practice and its
patients. One such technology was the use of mobile applications or “apps”. The practice did
not use any type of app to help with paperwork, appointments or communication with patients
in fact, while researching the issue, I learned that many dental facilities don’t take advantage
of apps for patients to better communicate with their dentists. Therefore, I decided to create
an app for my internship facility which could be used to solve some of the missing elements of
the practice. I envisioned that the app could be used to help streamline the appointments and
scheduling process, create a more user-friendly way to contact the practice, and make readily
available important patient friendly information related to dental and hygienic health. Finally,
I decided to include important tips and tools for kids and young teens to assist with the daily
maintenance of their teeth. These tools include music that was added to the app for young
kids to use as a fun timing device to help ensure they brush their teeth for the recommended
two minutes and to make sure they are following every other recommended step when
brushing their teeth. The tips and tools that I wanted to add to the app were necessary because
of the importance of good dental health. Beyond a doubt, having a maintenance plan for your
teeth is one of the most important parts of a normal hygiene routine. It is important to brush
your teeth at least twice a day to prevent gum disease and cavities. Failure to brush one's teeth
for several days can lead to the onset of gum disease. Brushing ensures the removal of plaque
and arrests the build-up of any plaque formation.
Connection
The biggest challenge to making the app was to create it without coding. Luckily, by researching app
development online, I found a platform that was created to help beginners and inexperienced app
developers create their visionary apps without coding. Once I set up my information on the platform, I
was able to begin the creation process for the app but using the pre-coded generic platform that was
housed on the site. The generic platform was malleable and could be modified and molded to fit the
developers needs and desires to a certain extent. I first created the name of the app, the name of
the business/facility it will be used for, and the app icon. Next, I incorporated some features and
designs for the app for a more esthetic and user-friendly interface. As I made changes to the app and
added new features, I had to run performance and diagnostic test to see if the features worked
properly and could interface with each other on a seamless basis. After everything was completed, I
presented the final product to my mentors at 32 Dental and they were very impressed and pleased
with the final product. My next plan for the app is to publish it in an app store for commercial use. I
haven’t published the app yet because I wasn’t sure if there will be any copyright issues and wanted
to discuss this with my mentors and make any necessary modifications to prevent any problems in
this area, However, I expect that the app will be published by the time of my stempossium
presentation.
. best dental care. Whether it is providing preventative care, delivering dental restorative
Results
Conclusion
In conclusion, my app connects to dentistry because it allows for patients to be closely
connected with their dentists to ensure that their teeth are healthy and that they keep them
maintained. The dentists top priority is to ensure patients can feel confident entrusting their
oral health to the dentists, knowing that they will watch over them and only recommend
what they believe is best for them, the relationship between the patient and the dentist will
thrive. Also, if they also like the dentist’ staff members and feel that they are sincerely liked in
return, even stronger bonds will form. Dentists bring this about by getting acquainted—the
way new friends do—from the very beginning. The team over at 32 Dental already have an
amazing staff and they are very cordial and descriptive of how things are cared out. To
enhance this even further, my app can reach new bounds of communication with the patients
and build even greater success for the future to come for their business. In addition, by
contributing to an even greater success for my future profession, I have learned that the
patient's well-being is the most important above everything, that I have the potential to
shape the future of dentistry and ensure that low-income communities will also receive the
procedures, eliminating pain or correcting dento-facial esthetics, often in a single visit the
dentist can experience the satisfaction, privilege and joy of positively transforming a patient’s
life by restoring oral health. With the knowledge that I have gained and the knowledge that I
have yet to attain the new generation can change the ways of dentistry to be even better and
make it even more popularized. Lastly, with an annual income well above the national norm,
combined with a flexible work schedule, I can be allowed the privilege and ability to provide
oral health care to those communities and populations that desperately lack access and
affordability

Career/Internship
Focus
Going into my internship, my sole purpose was to learn more about dentistry as a
whole and to broaden my horizon to careers that are similar to my wants and needs
in a career. I wanted to learn how to identify different dentist procedures and learn
the different types of medicines and supplements used during the procedures. More
importantly, I wanted to surround myself with different patient environments and
learn what it takes to help make a patients experience better and leave them
satisfied. Patients can schedule
Once users start the app, appointments through this
they will be greeted with form and it will be sent
the home page where they straight to the front office of
can schedule appointments, 32 Dental Practice.
locate directions, visit the Here patients can view tips on how
website, etc. to brush their teeth properly and
some music that will time the right
mount for a normal brushing period.