Dr. Chintan Desai: For dental students and new graduates, my main message is to invest time in learning good communication skills. During our training, we become used to medical and dental terms, and sometimes we forget that our patients do not understand this language. Even when we say something simple like Root Canal Treatment, many patients may not know what it means. It is important to explain procedures in clear and familiar words. In India, using the local language also helps patients feel more comfortable and supported.

Communication should focus on helping patients understand their condition and the importance of treatment, not just completing the procedure.

Dr. Chintan Desai: I believe a student who is interested in community work and wants to pursue an MPH needs a combination of clinical skills and strong soft skills. Clinical knowledge is important, but in public health we also need to communicate in a way that people can understand and relate to. As I mentioned earlier, we must think from the patient’s point of view. Many community members do not understand scientific language, so we have to translate complex information into simple messages that make sense in their daily life.

Good communication also helps reduce fear and build trust. For example, instead of only telling someone that smoking is harmful, it is more effective to use visual tools that help them understand the impact immediately. Creative methods make it easier for people to make informed decisions.

Public health literacy is another essential skill. It helps students read data, evaluate programs, and understand the social and environmental factors that influence oral health. When we understand the larger context, we can design outreach programs that meet real community needs.

Community engagement is also very important. Working with underserved populations requires patience, respect, and a willingness to listen. We cannot force solutions. Instead, we need to work with schools, community organizations, health departments, and local leaders to create programs that are sustainable and meaningful.

Skills in leadership, program evaluation, epidemiology, and advocacy also help transform clinical training into an impact at the community level. These skills allow us to design interventions that are practical, evidence based, and focused on improving the health of the population we serve.

In dentistry, there are also behavioral techniques that help reduce anxiety. One example is the Tell Show Do method. First, we tell the patient what we plan to do. Then we show the instrument or the step. Only after that do we perform the procedure. This simple approach often makes the patient more comfortable and improves their cooperation. Children especially benefit from a calm and friendly environment. In many pediatric clinics in the United States, you will see ceiling mounted televisions, cartoons, and colorful decorations. These small details help children feel relaxed and make the dental visit less stressful.

These combined skills and approaches help students connect with communities in a meaningful way and support their growth as future public health professionals.

Dr. Chintan Desai: This is a very real concern, and many dental students feel the same when they graduate. The hesitation to work in a rural or community setting is not only in India. Even in the United States, many new dentists prefer private practice because the salary is higher and the work environment feels more familiar.

However, community clinics in the United States offer strong benefits that make these positions more attractive. Education is very expensive here, and most graduates have large student loans. To support them, many community health centers participate in national or state loan repayment programs. These programs do not always pay half of the loan, but they cover a significant amount if the dentist agrees to work in an underserved area for a certain number of years. This reduces a major financial burden and gives graduates a stable start to their career. Community clinics also offer benefits such as medical and dental insurance, paid leave, retirement plans, and continuing education support. These benefits can be difficult to obtain in a private practice.

Another advantage is visa sponsorship. Many community clinics are nonprofit organizations, which allows them to sponsor H one B visas more easily. They are exempt from the general quota, so international graduates often find it simpler to continue their career through these clinics.

The situation in India is different because students usually do not graduate with the same level of educational debt. That is why financial incentives look different there. But there is still a need to create meaningful benefits that attract graduates to rural service. These may include mentorship, opportunities for advanced training, structured career growth, or government supported programs that help young dentists develop their skills while serving communities that need them the most.

My advice to students is to look beyond the immediate salary. Community work teaches you skills that private practice does not always offer. You learn to communicate with different groups, understand real public health challenges, and manage a wide range of cases. These experiences become a strong foundation for any future career, whether it is clinical work, public health, academics, or administration.

So instead of seeing rural or community service as a waste of a degree, it may be more helpful to see it as an opportunity for growth. It builds confidence, strengthens your clinical and communication skills, and gives you a chance to make a meaningful difference in people’s lives.