NYU College of Dentistry Graduation @ Avery Fisher

Finally, after four years, I've earned the three letters to the end of my name.

Paul Hung DDS

Dental Advice: How To PASS the NERB Live Patient Exam

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Q: How do I prepare for the ADEX/NERB?

A: First register for the NERB/ADEX. There are two different versions: CIF and Traditional. I took CIF - Curriculum Integrated Format. 

Next, Acquire the ADEX Candidate Manual from your respective dental school or download the most current pdf for your year (Class of 201x).

After reading the manual and taking notes (I placed post-it tabs on important pages), start looking for patients early.

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Q: How soon should I start looking for patients? How many backups should I have?

A: My exam was in February. I started looking in October. Why did I start so early? I'm in a class of 350. Imagine the chaos of 300+ students looking for patients all at the same time. This is possibly one of the most stressful portions of the ADEX/NERB. You do not want to add any unnecessary stress on top of the stress you will be experiencing.

Unfortunately I had no backups but have at least one backup. I know several colleagues who's primaries fell through.

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Q: How much compensation should we give? How much did you give?

A:  Consult with your class and agree on a determined amount. Patients may speak with each other in the waiting area. If they are unhappy with the amount you are compensating, they may ask for more or leave. Remember this is your licensing exam. An extra $100-200 is nothing compared to what you will be earning.

Based off word of mouth, I have heard students compensating patients in the ranges of $30-200 each. Some students even compensated for travel (one hired an SUV for each of his three patients at a rate of $180 each) while others even compensated for meals. It is up to you to decide how important this exam is.

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Q: How early should I go setup? What was the timeline of your day?

A:  Depending on your efficiency of setting up, you could go in as early as an hour before to right when the exam starts. 

8:40am - arrived at cubicle to setup and grab instruments

9:00am - filled out medical history, took blood pressure in presence of CFE and submitted for lesion approval for 1st restorative patient

10:00am - exam start

10:00-12:30pm - I asked for four modifications since my class III was recurrent, prep check and final restoration check (in between I would gather instruments and supplies for my next restorative patient)

12:35p - 2:14pm - filled out medical history, took blood pressure in presence of CFE and submitted for lesion approval for 2nd restorative patient, prep check and final restoration check

2:15-3:15pm - filled out medical history, took blood pressure in presence of CFE and submitted for calculus approval for perio patient, final scaling check
3:16-3:25pm - cleaned up and checked out

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Q: Should I hire/find an assistant? How much do they charge?

A:  I did not have an assistant. You are allowed to have first and second dental students or first year hygiene students as your assistant. My colleagues paid their assistants between $50-150. From my observation during the exam, the assistants were not as helpful as you may like. I saw my colleagues running around grabbing instruments because the first and second years are not familiar with the clinic floor layout. I ended up finishing quicker without an assistant than my colleagues with an assistant. 

A good number of my colleagues hired dental assistants varying from $300-350. They claimed those helped reduce unnecessary stress because the dental assistants work on the clinic floors and are well aware of where all the supplies and instruments are. Essentially you get what you pay for. 

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Q: How quickly do we find our results?

A:  Roughly 2-3 days after the exam

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Q: Any other advice or tips?

A:  Create a NERB box with supplies (see picture below). This will help you be more efficient and not have to run around for supplies.

Communicate with your patients regularly to ensure they come in early or on time for your exam. Nothing is more stressful than having your patients arrive late for the ADEX/NERB exam. 

Though there is no eating or drinking on the clinic floor, I suggest bringing a bag with high energy food and hydration. I brought a protein bar, banana and coconut water. 

Good luck!

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Our passion for teaching has turned into inspiration

Hans and I were his inspiration! I'm feeling warm and fuzzy now.

Gautum, I hope you become a TA!

9 Week Workout Routine & Goal: Gain Mass & Strength

Supplements used during this workout.

Goal: 150 lbs weight [Achieved!!]

Starting weight: 142 lbs post meal 

Ending weight: 151.6 lbs post meal

Start: Feb 1, 2013

End: April 10, 2013

Workout Day 21 Results:

Workout Day 1 @ Coles (Week 1):
-Deadlifts: 135x7x7, 205x4x3
-Squats: 135x6x5
-Pull-ups: 1x7

Cons: Lower back and forearm grip
Weight: 142.6 (post meal)

Workout Day 2 @ Palladium:

-Deadlifts: 135x9, 185x6, 205x4, 205x3, 205x3, 205x3, 185x5, 205x5, 135x6

Weight: 144.4 (post meal)

Workout Day 3 @ Palladium (Week 2):
-Deadlifts: 225x5, 245x5, 245x5, 245x5, 225x4, 225x5, 135x15
-Bench Press: 135x15, 135x12

Weight: 143.6 (post meal)

Workout Day 4 @ Palladium:
-Deadlifts: 135x15, 245x4, 245x4, 245x3, 245x4, 245x2, 135x10
-Pull-ups until fatigue

Weight: 143.2 (post meal)
Con: bad form = injury

Workout Day 5 @ Palladium:
-Deadlifts: 135x

Weight: unreported
Con: injury from Day 4 or Hunter Mt

Workout Day 6 @ Palladium (Week 3):
-Deadlifts: 135x10, 135x15, 135x8, 135x8, 155x6, 135x15, 135x15
-Pullups

Weight: 145.6 (pre meal)
Weight: 147.4 (post meal)
Weight: 146.8 (post poop)

Workout Day 7 @ Palladium:
-Deadlifts: 135x13 warmup, 185x13, 205x10, 225x10, 245x5, 245x5, 245x3
-Pullups: 10, 10, 9
-Dips until fatigue
-Deadlifts: 135x10

Weight: 147.8 (post meal)

Workout Day 8 @ Palladium:
-Deadlifts: 135 until fatigue
-Pullups until fatigue
-Deadlifts: 135 until fatigue
-Bench press 135 until fatigue

Weight: 145.0 (pre meal/dry weight)
Weight: 147.0 (post meal)
Con: injury from Hunter Mt

Workout Day 9 @ Palladium (Week 4):
-Pullups: 15
-Bench: 135x10
-Deadlifts: 135 until fatigue
-Bench: 185x7
-Deadlifts 135 until fatigue
-Bench: 205x4
-Deadlifts 135 until fatigue
-Bench: 205x3
-Deadlifts: 135 until fatigue x2
-Pullups: 8
-Deadlifts: 135 until fatigue x2

Weight: 145.6 (dry weight)
Weight: 147.0 (post meal/post poop)
Weight: 148.0 (post workout/post protein shakes)
Pro: increased mass & strength
Con: injury from Hunter Mt

Workout Day 10 @ Palladium:
-Bench: 135x10, 205x4, 205x4, 205x3
-Deadlifts 135 until fatigue x6

Weight: 145.6 (dry weight)
Weight: 147.6-192.2 (post meal)
Con: injury from Hunter Mt

Workout Day 11 @ Palladium (Week 5):
-Incline Bench: 135x10, 185x4, 175x4, 155x5
-Deadlifts: 135 until fatigue x4
-Deadlifts: 185 x5 x2 sets
-Deadlifts: 135 until fatigue x2
-Pullups until fatigue

Weight: 146.8 (post workout)
Con: injury from Hunter Mt
Walking: 6.2 miles, 550 calories burnt

Workout Day 12 @ Palladium:
-Incline Bench: 135x8, 165x6, 175x4, 175x5, 175x4, 135x8
-Pullups until fatigue

Con: injury from Hunter Mt.

Workout Day 13 @ Palladium:
-Incline Bench: 135x8, 185x4, 185x5, 185x5, 185x4, 185x4
-Deadlifts 135x8 until fatigue
-Pullups until fatigue

Weight: 147.2 (post workout)
Con: injury from Hunter Mt

Workout Day 14 @ Palladium (Week 6)
-Incline Bench: 135x10, 195x5, 185x5, 185x4
-Deadlifts: 135x20, 185x12, 225x5, 225x5, 225x5, 205x5, 205x5
-Incline Bench: 135x10, 135x9
-Deadlifts: 185x6, 135x10

Weight: 147.6 (dry weight)
Weight: 147.6 (post meal)
Con: injury from Hunter Mt but not as severe

Workout Day 15 @ Palladium:
-Incline Bench: 135x10, 135x10x 135x7, 135x10, 135x6
-Pullups: 12
-Deadlifts: 135 until fatigue
-Military Press: 40 until fatigue

Weight: 147.0 (dry weight)
Weight: 148.0 (post meal/post poop)
Weight: 148.6 (post meal)
Con: injury from Hunter Mt, worse than Day 16

Workout Day 16 @ Palladium (Week 7):
Incline Bench: 135x10, 185x6, 185x5, 185x5, 185x4, right deltoid injury, 135x7
Deadlifts: 135x10, 225x5, 245x5, 245x4, 245x3, 225x4, 135 until fatigue x3
Standing military press: 40 until fatigue, 45 until fatigue

Weight: 146.4 (dry weight)
Weight: 147.6 (post meal)
Con: right deltoid injury doing incline bench


Workout Day 17 @ Palladium:
Incline Bench: 135x10
Deadlifts: 135 until fatigue
Incline Bench: 135x10
Deadlifts: 135 until fatigue x2
Incline Bench: 135x10
Deadlifts: 135 until fatigue x3
Squats: 95, 135, 135
Pullups until fatigue

Body Fat: 5.1-5.4% @ 5'9", 147 lbs, 28 years old
Weight: 146.8 (dry weight)
Weight: 149.8 (post meal)
Weight: 145.6 (post rage)
Con: injury from Hunter Mt



Workout Day 18 @ Palladium (Week 8):
Deadlifts: 135x15, 205x6, 225x5, 225x5, 225x4, 225x5, 245x3, 245x3, 185x10, 185x10
Flat Bench: 135x10, 135x10
Squats: 45x10, 95x10, 115x10

Weight: 148.2 (post meal)
Weight: 146.8 (dry weight)
Weight: 149.2 (post meal)

Workout Day 19 @ Palladium: PEAK REACHED
Flat Bench: 135x10, 225x3, 225x3, 225x3
Deadlifts: 135x10, 225x5, 225x7, 275x2, 235x3, 185x5, 185x6, 185x4, 185x10
Standing Military Press: 40x10

Weight: 148.8 (post meal/post poop)
Weight: 148.6 (post poop)
Weight: 147.2 (dry weight)
Weight: 149.8 (post meal)
Weight: 147.2 (post rage)


Workout Day 20 @ Palladium (Week 9):
Deadlifts: 135x10, 225x7+4, 225x6+5, 225x8+4, 225x5+5, 135x6
Squats: 45x10, 95x10 (back), 95x4 (front), 95x10 (back), 95x4 (front)
Standing military press: 45x8

Weight: 147.6 (dry weight)
Weight: 148.8 (post meal)
Weight: 149.8 (post meal)

Workout Day 21 @ Palladium:
Deadlifts: 135x10, 225x5+3, 225x5+4, 225x4+4, 225x4
Flat Bench: 135x10
Deadlifts: 135x10
Flat Bench: 135x10
Deadlifts: 135x10
Flat Bench: 135x10
Squats: 45x10, 45x10
Incline Bench: 135x10
Squats: 45x10
Incline Bench: 135x5
Standing Military Press: 45x8

Weight: 149.6 (dry weight)
Weight: 151.6 (dry weight/bladder full)
Weight: 149.6 (dry weight/bladder empty)
Weight: 151.6 (post meal)

Funny of the Day

CVS Success!!

I walked in with no coupons. Scan my CVS ExtraCare card to get the $4.99 promo coupon for Clear shampoo. I pick up a Clear shampoo that had an instant $3.00 coupon taped on. I also got a $1.50 ExtraCare Bucks from 2012 Winter spending. I pick up two Special K Red Berries cereal since the weekly deal was 2 for $5. I scan the Clear Shampoo for $4.99 followed by the instant $3 coupon. Scan both cereals then applied the $4.99 & $1.50 coupons at the end. My total came to $0.50 luls...

Bridge finally delivered!

Day 1: prepped, tempted and final impression #13 and #15

Day 2: adjustments and delivery of $13-15 PFM bridge using RelyX

Not the best occlusal clearance :x

 After quite a bit of adjusting, the patient was satisfied with the bite, shade and comfort of the bridge.

Puzzled Rant

Why do people not respond to their texts yet expect others to reply? 

/rant

A State of Trance 600 NYC March 30th, 2013

I think we're ready for ASOT600 :]

Macaron Day NYC 2013

Fourth annual Macaron Day where participating bakeries offer a free macaron. This occasion was perfect as it fell during my spring break. I decided to hit up as many places as I could (six total) to see which of the participating macaron bakeries was the best!

Good cause

"At many participating locations, a portion of the day’s macaron sales will be donated to City Harvest. Indulge in macarons while contributingto the efforts of City Harvest." 

Weather conditions: 41F (5C). Sunny with no clouds in sight
Time traveled: 11am to 1:30pm
Transportation: L, 6, F

Rating System
Since each location is different and certain locations only offered one macaron, I went ahead and purchased another macaron to compare and eliminate any 'flukes'. Each macaron was rated on a scale of 1 to 6
1) Appearance: whether or not the cookies were crushed and if the filling extended to the margin. 
--Rating of 1 (crushed or filling not to the margin) to 6 (perfect cookie with filling to the margin) 
2) Texture: whether the cookies were hard or soft. Each cookie was left to thaw at room temperature for approximately 5 minutes
--Rating of 1 (hard to bite through the cookie) to 6 (smooth as butter)
3) Taste: whether the cookies tasted like the flavor they were advertised 
--Rating of 1 (taste like nothing/bland) to 6 (flavor bomb!)

Macarons:

First Stop: Mille-feuille

Free Macaron Flavor: Salted Caramel Chocolate (only one to choose from)

Selected Flavor: Salted Caramel Chocolate

 

Appearance: 4/6 (filling almost to the margin, no crushed cookie)
Texture: 6/6 (soft like butter!)
Taste: 3/6 (too sweet!)

Purchased flavor: Lemon @ $2.25

Appearance: 1/6 (crushed! and can't even see the filling)
Taste: 1/6 (too hard!)
Taste: 2/6 (mild mild lemon flavor)
Notes: The lemon was smaller than the free macaron in diameter


Second Stop: François Payard Bakery

Free Macaron Flavor: You choose any!

Selected Flavor: Raspberry Lychee

Appearance: 6/6 (filling to the margin, no crushed cookie)

Texture: 4/6 (slight firmness though soft like butter!)

Taste: 3/6 (mild in flavor)

Purchased Flavor: Vanilla Bean @ $2.25

Appearance: 2/6 (odd shape, slightly crushed, no consistent margin or filling to the margin)

Texture: 2/6 (like eating a protein bar)

Taste: 2/6 (could barely taste the vanilla bean)

Third Stop: Bosie Tea Parlor

Free Macaron Flavor: Salted Caramel, Rose, Jasmine, Pistachio, Dark Chocolate
Flavor Selected: Jasmine

Appearance: 5/6 (generous filling almost to the margin, small cookie overall)

Texture: 2/6 (hard as a protein bar)

Taste: 1/6 (I only tasted the cookie, no Jasmine)

Purchased Flavor: Darjeeling @ $2.25

Appearance: 4/6 (inconsistent cookie shape, filling not to the margin)

Texture: 3/6 (slightly softer than the Jasmine)

Taste: 4/6 (herbal tea flavor)

Note: The service was poor


Fourth Stop: Bisous Ciao (235 Bleecker St)

Free Macaron Flavor: Macaron Day (salted peanut buttercream with a concord grape jelly center)
Flavor Selected: Macaron Day

Appearance: 6/6 (perfection! filling to the margins and no crushed cookie!)

Texture: 6/6 (soft like butter!)

Taste: 5/6 (strong peanut butter and jelly flavor, flavor bomb!)

Purchased Flavor: Lemon @ $2.25

Appearance: 6/6 (perfection! filling extended to the margin, no crushed cookie)

Texture: 6/6 (soft like butter!)

Taste: 6/6 (flavor explosion!!)

Fifth Stop: Macaron Parlour

Free Macaron Flavor: 18 of 24 flavors
Flavor Selected: Matcha

Appearance: 5/6 (good shape, no crushed cookie, filling inconsistent/not to the margin)

Texture: 1/6 (like eating a freaking rock!)

Taste: 1/6 (I only tasted the cookie, no matcha...wtf?)

Note: Macarons varied in size

Purchased Flavor: Buttered Popcorn @ $2.50

Appearance: 5/6 (slightly larger, good shape, filling inconsistent/not to the margin)

Texture: 4/6 (decently soft)

Taste: 6/6 (flavor explosion! tastes just like buttered popcorn)

Note: Macarons varied in size

Sixth Stop: Bisous Ciao (101 Stanton St)

Free Macaron Flavor: Macaron Day (salted peanut buttercream with a concord grape jelly center)

Flavor Selected: Macaron Day

Appearance: 6/6 (generous filling to the margins, good shape, perfection!)

Texture: 6/6 (soft like butter!)

Taste: 5/6 (like eating a PB and J sandwich)

Purchased Flavor: Thai Tea @ $2.50

Appearance: 5/6 (filling almost to the margin, good shape)

Texture: 5/6 (soft like butter!)

Taste: 6/6 (tasted just like Thai Tea. Flavor explosion!!)

Caveat:
I did not visit all of the participating bakeries because they were too spread apart, therefore I visited six that were closest to each other.

Summary:
1) Mille-feuille was a hit or miss 
2) Francois Payard Bakery was a hit or miss (also ironic that he started Macaron Day)
3) Bosie Tea Parlor was a hit or miss but slightly better consistency with appearance and texture
4) Bisous Ciao (Bleecker) was near perfect in consistency. 
5) Macaron Parlour was a hit and miss especially with size, texture and taste
6) Bisous Ciao (Stanton) came in very close to being perfect as well

Verdict:
Though slightly costing more ($2.50 vs $2.25) than the other participating bakeries, Bisous Ciao (both locations) were mostly consistent with appearance, texture and taste.

Is Bisous Ciao my favorite macaron place? No, La Maison du Macaron still holds the crown as my favorite as the macarons are baked fresh in the back and they have almost two dozen flavors that cycle often.