Principles for SUCCESS 5 helpful tips for the new-graduate dentist W hen I was in dental school my father always reminded me that three superstars will arise. The first superstar, as he called it, is the intellectual. The intellectual student is the star during the first year. This person continually receives the highest grades in biochemistry, gross anatomy and the other didactic courses. The second superstar of dental school is the dexterous student. The dexterous student starts shining in dental anatomy courses. With ease, this capable student can craft incredible dental shapes out of wax. This talented individual can re-create unbelievably accurate preparations and produce chamfers or feather-edge preparations with amazing precision. The first two superstars are soon overlooked when a new superstar emerges during their third year in the clinic. My father called this individual the clinician. The clinician is an applied mix of the intellectual superstar with a spark of dexterity and an important twist: This superstar is a great communicator. The clinician leverages his or her accumulated skills from the past two years of didactics to make a tangible difference in the patient's oral health. by Robert Benavides, DDS Robert Benavides, DDS, graduated from the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio School of Dentistry. He is the owner of Culebra Smiles and Orthodontics, a practice supported by Pacific Dental Services in San Antonio.