Final year can feel like the last kilometres of a marathon, when you are exhausted, focused, and wondering how much more you have left, but it is one of the most exciting and formative years of your clinical career. It often feels like a juggling act: managing clinical requirements, quotas, exams, interpersonal relationships with colleagues and supervisors, extracurricular placements, personal commitments and the impending decision about future employment. The pressure is real, but this is a reminder to embrace and enjoy the process too.

Here are some top tips to help you survive and thrive in your final year of dental school. 

Prioritise clinical competence 

The focus of final year is becoming a safe, confident, and competent beginner dentist. You are not expected to know everything so be intentional with your practice and treat each patient as preparation for general practice. The final year of dental school is where you should try to become self-sufficient in safely and ethically applying your theoretical knowledge in a clinical setting. Work with your mentors and supervisors to ensure that as part of your treatment planning you understand: 

• How medical history impacts treatment planning 

• How to reach an accurate diagnosis and interpret clinically relevant tests 

• The aetiology behind the presenting problem 

• The rationale for each procedure 

• Potential risks and adverse outcomes 

• How to communicate all of this clearly to patients 

Take the initiative to perform procedures and communicate with patients under supervision and seek constructive feedback to continually improve. Ask lots of questions to clarify your understanding. Focus on the quality of practice, not the quantity.

Imposter syndrome is common and normal  

Most final year students and new graduate dentists quietly worry they are not “ready” or that others seem more capable and confident. Imposter syndrome can make you feel as though your successes are luck and that sooner or later you will be “found out.” We often have these thoughts in moments of growth and transition. Confidence develops through repetition, supervision and experience. Remind yourself that you have met every requirement to reach this point and you are not behind.

Take care of your physical and emotional wellbeing 

Emotional Wellbeing 

Final year moves quickly. Depending on your placements, you may find yourself living in rural areas, away from familiar faces and support systems. It is important to manage stress intentionally so you can stay ahead of burnout. Start by managing your expectations of yourself and noticing behaviours that become deflating rather than productive. Prioritising sleep, regular meals, study breaks and movement is essential during this stage of training. Showing up to each day rested, nourished, and with a few endorphins from a morning pump class on board makes the demands of dentistry and study far more manageable.

Study and learning matter, but they shouldn’t come at the expense of sleep, connection, and activities that genuinely refill your cup. Ignoring your wellbeing can affect your performance, confidence, and overall health. Self-doubt may creep in, and you might begin questioning whether dentistry is right for you. Don’t hesitate to seek support from friends, mentors, or counselling services if you’re feeling overwhelmed. Asking for help isn’t a weakness, it’s a skill. 

Reflection supports growth; rumination keeps you stuck. When cases don’t go to plan, debrief with a trusted, non-judgemental colleague or mentor. Thoughtful reflection helps you extract the lesson, steady your thinking, and move forward with clarity. 

Physical Wellbeing 

Protect your body early by incorporating stretching, light strength training, and postural exercises into your routine. Yoga or Pilates can be particularly helpful. If you’re not already using ergonomic loupes, you should and your neck and back will thank you for years to come. 

Prepare for life after graduation  

Be organised and start to think about your next moves. Whether you plan to work in private or public practice, pursue your primary examinations, take on an internship at a hospital, or pursue further study or travel, be organised by researching requirements and deadlines early.

Dental conferences and study groups often have free or discounted rates for students so where possible try to attend these events to network with other clinicians and recent graduates to learn about their experiences. If you are uncertain about your next moves, networking with other clinicians can help you to explore potential avenues for the future, or open up potential job opportunities. Often details about events and study groups can be found through the Australian Dental Students Association and Australian Dental Association. Continuing Professional Development (CPD) junkie also helps you find and book Australian CPD courses and events. Furthermore, Dental Protection has a range of free online CPD and webinar content.

Dental school is very different from private practice, and many of these realities are hard to convey through theory alone. It can be helpful to talk to practising clinicians or even spend some time shadowing or volunteering in a clinic, to gain a basic understanding of practice management, conversations about costs and workflow. 

Prepare your resume and cover letters with key details including your clinical interests, goals for the future and what you would like to get out of the role.

Understanding your finances and employment agreements is also important. Talking to a qualified accountant or lawyer can help you to understand different contractor agreements, recommended insurances, set up your Australian Business Number (ABN) and financial planning to help the transition into professional life easier. 

To protect yourself, ensure your professional requirements are up to date and set calendar reminders for renewals, in particular indemnity insurance, first aid and CPR, Australian Health Practitioners Regulation Agency (AHPRA) registration, radiation licence, immunisation checks, blood-borne disease screening, criminal history checks and working with children/ blue cards. There is variability of practice requirements throughout Australia, so it is important to be aware of screening and documentation required of medical professionals in the state/territory where you practice.

Strengthen your communication skills and professionalism 

A good rule for practice is to treat every patient walking into your surgery as if they were your mother or family member. As a student, and after graduation, how you communicate and conduct yourself is just as important as your clinical skills. Clear, respectful communication with patients, supervisors, and your peers helps build trust and makes clinical sessions run more smoothly. This includes explaining procedures in simple terms, managing patient expectations, learning how to manage anxious or difficult patients, documenting thoroughly, and being honest when you are unsure or need guidance. Shadowing and observing how experienced clinicians communicate and handle challenging situations can be helpful.

Professionalism also shows in how you handle feedback, navigate stressful clinics, and respond when things do not go to plan. You are still learning so approach your interactions with openness, accountability, and willingness to improve. Professionalism, empathy, and clear communication will set you apart as a future practitioner. 

Document everything properly 

Final year is the ideal time to develop strong documentation habits and learn how to maintain accurate records, use consent forms, and document radiographs to protect both you and your patients. Developing good documentation habits now will save you from serious problems later. If it is not in the notes, then it didn’t happen. Your notes should include findings, diagnoses, consent discussions as they happened in real life, treatment provided, and any complications or deviations from the plan. Write objectively, using clinical language and ensure entries are completed as soon as possible after the appointment. For radiographs, always record the reason for taking the radiograph, assess and report on its quality, and provide a written interpretation of the findings. Your clinical records should support continuity of care, protect you in complaints or legal claims, and reflect your competence and professionalism. Have your supervisors regularly review these for comprehensiveness and ask for feedback.

If a misadventure occurs, ensure to have open disclosure with the patient. Apologising demonstrates empathy and does not admit liability. Document the discussion and clarify next steps for the patient. 

Always remember to keep asking questions, stay humble, take care of yourself, and lean into the opportunities ahead.

Dr Bridget McGowan is a general dentist who graduated from Griffith University in 2020. She began her dental career in private practice in Darwin before returning to Brisbane in 2024. Bridget enjoys all aspects of general dentistry and has particular interests in paediatric dentistry, preventive care, and oral medicine.