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Not only is this class a beast, the quizzes are very hard to study for and perform well on. We have a quiz in a couple of days on anatomical locations in the mouth. I have attached a couple of sheets you can download and look at if you wish to see what a general quiz looks like for this class. Note that this does not include the book reading or the rest of the notes. Most of this table is from one lecture. It is mainly a review of anatomy. What makes the quizzes so hard is that you can’t get partial credit. It is basically word for word from the notes or you are toast. Getting -5 points here and a -10 points there can do a number on your quiz score. It gets worse when there is a big -30 for one of the questions along with some other marks. We have 6 quizzes total, each worth 5% of your grade. Complete Dentures Quiz

A sample question could be something like:

1. Name the importance of the retromylohyoid space in relation to a complete denture.

For full credit you would have to write out the following:

The space is in the alveolingual surface and is bordered on 5 sides by: Anteriorally the mylohyoid ridge and lingual tuberosity. Medially by the anterior tonsillar pillar when the tongue is in a relaxed position. Laterally by the mandible and the pterygomandibular raphe. Posteriorally by the retromylohyoid curtain (superior constrictor muscle). Inferiorally by the alveolingual sulcus and mylohyoid muscle. This space is essential for the retention and stability of the complet denture.

Add 50-80 more facts into this ‘quiz’ and you are guaranteed to be busy for a while. What I have found to be helpful is to make charts like the one included in this post. Some other ideas that are useful are to make a chart but keep everything blank, an idea I got from a study budy of mine. The you can make a bunch of copies of this blank chart and either fill in the blanks from memory or make charts from your notes. It might be faster than typing them out. Another good program I have been using is called ‘Genius‘ for the Mac. It is essentially a free flashcard program where you enter in all the information, click on ‘Learn’ or ‘Review’ and it will test your knowledge of the material. You can put in fake questions, definitions, etc. to test yourself and learn the vast amounts of information required of you in dental school.

There might be other programs out there that you like better and I know there are ones that are Windows based. Do a google search for ‘free flashcard program’ etc. to find one that you like. The program I use keeps track of right and wrong answers and will requiz you on the ones you miss more often.

We have one quiz this week and then finals start next week and go for two weeks. We will have Periodontology, Pharmacology (yuck), Radiology, Endodontics, Pedodontics lecture, Pedodontics lab, Oral Pathology, and Anesthesiology. All of them are comprehensive except for Periodontology. Also in the week we will have some more lectures, an Endo take home practical (access and obturate a molar), another endo practical (access and obturate plastic teeth - as done in the NERB exam - great for someone like me who is going to take the Western Regional Boards…). So it will be busy to say the least but three more weeks and the hardest didactic year is over with. After that it is getting ready for NBDE Part I, transitioning into the clinics, and taking some more classes.

Pictures to come, along with more class reviews, and my methods for studying for the boards (fee free to share your ideas as well). In the meantime please feel free to comment on your finals for any of your classes. Writing things down is therapuetic.