02: Dental School: Is everyone studying like Kay Chung?

Let's talk to dental students and find out.

Jun 29, 2024

Growing up, I was afraid of the dentist; all the poking and prodding was honestly my worst nightmare. Now, dating one, I appreciate the intricacy and dedication it takes to study this art. But it is not as easy as it looks; it can sometimes be a ~~head~~toothache.

What is a typical day as a dental student look like?

Clinic, eat, shower, gym, walk, shower, eat, sleep.

It’s typically a full day of patients or a mixture of classes and labs. Then I go home, change and eat, relax for a bit, and do some work if I have the energy.

Some days, we have early morning lectures and clinics afterwards or full clinic days, starting at 8 am and ending at 5pm. I usually come home, nap, study, and go for a late-night workout. Then repeat.

Clinics and lectures can take up a large portion of a dental student's day. Finding the time to fit in personal and study times can be challenging.

So, how do dental students have time to study?

Kay Chung, a TikTok Dentistry student sensation, has sparked the curiosity of 1.1 million followers with her viral study routine. Her unconventional methods have led to academic success part of which keeps her audience engaged and eager for more.

Let’s break it down from one of Chung’s recent videos:

Energy drinks and motivation play a crucial role in Chung’s all-nighters, and many students have adopted the practice of studying at the last minute and documenting their own Kay Chung study routine.

Does it work?

I asked dental students in Australia for their thoughts on the Kay Chung method.

It’s Horrible.

I wish I could pull that off lmao.

It is not needed and is poor time management. This method is more to gain popularity.

Their responses seem pretty self-explanatory: Although this method has gained quite popularity via TikTok in the dental sphere, it is not highly regarded.

According to Sleepvantage, losing sleep and pulling an all-nighter is not the best idea for studying. You become 32% less alert when you lose 1.5 hours of sleep a night, makings it harder for the brain to form memories. Sleep assists in the brain moving your 700 flashcards or complex formulas to the memory part of the brain (hippocampus) to the prefrontal cortex, where memories are kept long-term.

So if it is not effective what is the best routine?

Well, it’s more about being consistent throughout the semester to avoid having to “Kay Chung style” your way to an exam.

Active recall and consistently studying throughout the semester.

I try to stay on top of lectures by attending them in person and taking notes weekly.

I like to make initial notes, review them, highlight important topics, and then rewrite my notes near exam time.

One Dental outlines the pressure that dentistry students face with an overwhelming demand to balance clinical training sessions and academic study. There are various difficulties in ensuring success as a dental student (not just exams).

It is hard managing patients and the theory content.

Time management is the hardest. I am often tired after a day of school and need to study after whilst also looking after myself.

It is hard because there are so many different fields, and it is difficult to become an expert at all of them.

Taking care of your mental health is crucial as a dentist.

A recent study by the University of Melbourne found that 11.4 per cent of dental practitioners had a current diagnosis of depression. As well as this, younger practitioners and newly graduated dentists under 30 were twice as likely to have had thoughts of suicide.
A UK survey conducted by the British Dental Association Benevolent Fund found that around 40% of dental students considered dropping out and withdrawing from their degree.

What is your self care routine? What do you do when the stress kicks in?

Order some Uber eats, watch a movie, and relax.

To wind down I’ll Shower, dim lights, snacks and a put on a funny tv show. Sometimes when I’m stressed i’ll go out to eat some good food or go the driving range.

I like to eat while watching a comfort show.

What is some advice you would give to your first year self?

Practice makes perfect.

Go to class. I used to skip lectures, thinking I would just watch them at home, but that never worked out well. You can learn a surprising amount just by paying attention in class.
Know when to take a break. We often get caught up in a lot of work and studying, which can end up frying our brains. It’s important to give yourself some time to reset.

You can be as terrible or as great a dentist as you want. If you want to be good, apply yourself every day and decide to be committed to every aspect. You don’t have to, but you won’t be as good at your work.