Critical Thinking Leads to Solutions

Critical thinking is the ability to ask relevant questions and reason to apply knowledge to the real world. This ability is becoming more and more necessary as technology advances and society changes at a rapid pace. Too often is information memorized or attainable instantly through technology and the act of thinking through situations is disappearing. It is important that critical thinkers are ready to keep up with the pace of advancement to find solutions when challenges arise. The purpose and impacts of changes must constantly be assessed and the connection between new found knowledge and progress has to be applied. Critical thinking will be a crucial skill to implement to perform effectively in my professional goals and a necessity as dental technology continues to accelerate in the future.

In my Organic Chemistry II class (CHEM 334), much of the course consisted of working through synthesis problems. A synthesis problem is a road map of two or more chemical reactions designed to reach a specific final product. Many times, the starting materials are easily attainable, simple chemical compounds. This process is important in the field of medicine to discover pharmaceutical drugs. It also brings together many concepts found in biochemistry, chemistry, and biology. Many times, there are multiple methods to reach a desired product in a synthesis problem. However, it is often more favored to find the most efficient way. Organic chemistry can be considered as much an art as it is a science. This method requires careful planning and application of prior knowledge of chemical reactions to execute, a prime example of how critical thinking leads to solutions. At the bottom of the page, you will find an example of a synthesis problem with labeled steps on how the final product is achieved from starting reactants.

The critical thinking required for CHEM 334 and problem solving that I experienced in Nicaragua directly applies to the field of dentistry. Every synthesis problem is unique and requires careful analysis before completion. However, the core chemical reactions and compounds do not change. In dentistry, cavities and oral disease do not change. The frame in which those cases are presented changes. Every patient is unique, and the method in which the dentist cares for that patient must be adapted as needed. The method determined originates from the knowledge gained prior from dental training. Much of my experience in Nicaragua solidified the importance of critical thinking for me. It takes critical thinking to be able to adjust for each patient to reach the desired final solution.

In the spring of 2017, I traveled with a team of 14 to Managua, Nicaragua on a medical mission trip. I was part of a dental team that consisted of five members, including myself, and our dentist, Dr. Carolina Soto. Much of our work consisted of dental assisting Dr. Soto and educating the residents of the Chocoyero community, the location of our medical clinic. Due to the sheer volume of the patients we needed to see daily, we were required to work quickly and efficiently. It was here that I truly witnessed the use of critical thinking to reach solutions in a professional setting. Although much of the dental work was similar, the patients were different. They ranged from young children all the way up to the elders of the village. It was our duty to diagnose each patient and plan a procedure accordingly. It was when we took time to critically think and develop a plan of action using our training with Dr. Soto and prior dental knowledge that we were able to provide the patient an individualized desired solution. Below, you will find a video that I filmed of a song we taught the children of the village on healthy oral hygiene habits. This moment represented the conclusion of our week there and it was satisfying to see the impact of our work.

Nicaragua Oral Hygiene Song

Step by Step Synthesis