Blog 2 - Summer Mentorship

1. List the contact name, phone number, and organization of the person with whom you volunteered.
• Dr. Chris Chen & Julia Gaytan 
• (626) 854-9530
• Puente Hills Dental Group
2. What qualifies this person as an expert in your topic of choice?
• Dr. Chris Chen has achieved a doctorate degree at Columbia University School of Dental Medicine in New York. Dr. Chen furthered his career in dentistry at the Center of Esthetic Dentistry. He is also an active participant in the community as members of both San Gabriel Valley and Los Angeles Dental Societies. He has volunteered his services at local health fairs in Los Angeles and loves traveling with the NATMA (National America Taiwanese Medical Association) every summer to service those in need in other countries. 
3. List three questions for further exploration now that you've completed your summer hours?
1. What is the best way for a dentist office to help make patients feel comfortable and at ease?
2. Do patients find that the cosmetic look of teeth is just as important as dental hygiene?
3. Why is it so important for a dentist to stay up to date on current medical research and advancements? 
4. What is the most important thing you gained from this experience? Why?
• The most important thing I gained from this experience is a new understanding of what it's like to not be the one in the dentist chair. In other words, I got a better understanding of how things work behind the desk and from the dentist's and dental assistant's point of view. I was able to see what happens when the dental team preps for a patient, how they communicate with each other, and how the patients personal information is handled and filed.
5. What is your senior project topic going to be? How did mentorship help you make your decision? Please explain. 
• My senior project topic is going to be on Dentistry. From seeing how things work at the reception desk to watching how a dentist treats the various patients, I plan to focus on the basic ins and outs of the dentist experience. Mentorship helped me make my decision because it helped me to realize that from the moment you walk into a dentist office everybody working plays an important role in the experience of caring for a patient and making them feel comfortable. 

Blog 1 – Senior Final Lesson/Interview Reflection

1.  What three lessons were most helpful for you to see, and why?

• Fashion Design: This lesson helped me see how interesting a presentation can be when the presenter knows all of his material. The presenter was very knowledge able and showed passion when talking about his topic. 
• Field Dog Training: In this presentation I didn't really find myself attaining much of the material presented. I feel this is because the presenter did not seem enthusiastic about their topic. I was able to see what it felt like to have a presenter who didn't seem enthusiastic about their topic. It makes me want to make sure I present my topic in an appealing manner when I present next year. 
• Early Childhood Development: In this presentation I was also able to see what a good presenter looked like. The presenter was really engaging and enthusiastic about their topic and it made me interested in wanting to know more about the topic. I actually did walk out of that presentation with gained knowledge.

2. List one thing that you learned about the senior project in interviews that will help you get off to a good start?

• The main thing I learned about senior project in the interviews was to pick a topic I will truly enjoy learning about. The seniors I spoke with stressed the importance of picking a topic that I am passionate about due to the mass amount of research that will have to be done. I also learned that senior project is all about time management. The seniors told me as long as deadlines are met and my work is thorough, senior project shouldn't be a real big problem.

3. What topic(s) are you considering, and why?

• Yoga: I have always been curious about yoga and have wanted to try it. I feel like learning about yoga would greatly benefit me especially because yoga is said to help with stress.
• Firefighting: This is something I never would have thought of doing if it wasn't for senior project. I feel that if I choose this to do my senior project on then I could find out if it is a career option I would like to pursue in the future.
• Makeup Artistry: I love makeup. I like applying makeup and learning about new techniques and products. This is something I would really be passionate about learning more about. 

4. What EQ do you think might be interesting to consider in guiding a project like this? (Please don't worry about any sort of formula...we want this question to come from your genuine interest).

• Yoga: What is the best way to get the most out of the yoga experience?
• Firefighting: What can a fire fighter do to make sure he/she is well prepared for a dangerous job?
• Makeup Artistry: What techniques and products can be used to get the most out of makeup application and achieve your desired look?

5. What are some ideas you have about finding summer mentorship?

• Yoga: Ask a yoga instructor from a yoga class I could attend. 
• Firefighting; Los Angeles County Fire Department, finding a firefighter to be my mentor by joining the explorers program. 
• Makeup Artistry: Joining a makeup class held at my local community center and inquiring about being mentored by the makeup teacher after taking a few classes.