Young man 'unexpectedly' becomes top scorer in dentistry and maxillofacial residency

Despite graduating with average grades in dentistry from Hanoi Medical University, Pham Quang Minh never expected to become the top scorer in the resident physician exam.

Pham Quang Minh secured his residency in dentistry and maxillofacial surgery with 27 out of 30 points, as announced by Hanoi Medical University a few days prior.

"I had calculated my approximate score but never imagined I'd be the top scorer", Minh stated. "This marks the first time in my life I've achieved such a ranking."

Initially aiming for a top 5 position, Minh felt pressure due to his undergraduate GPA of 7,38/10, considering the highly competitive resident physician exam attracted many top students from medical universities nationwide.

Pham Quang Minh. Photo: Duong Tam

Minh, a former chemistry student at Bien Hoa High School for the Gifted in Ha Nam, was the first in his family to pursue medicine. His parents had always encouraged him to become a doctor. The pivotal moment arrived when his maternal grandfather visited a private dental clinic. Impressed by the professional environment and the meticulousness of the medical staff, his grandfather expressed a desire for Minh to become a dentistry and maxillofacial surgeon, solidifying Minh's career choice.

In 2020, Minh gained admission to Hanoi Medical University, boasting an honorable mention in the national chemistry Olympiad and a score of 28,65 on his high school graduation exam (B00 combination: mathematics, chemistry, biology).

Initially an introvert, Minh found interacting with professors and peers challenging. However, the university's distinct learning style and intense pace soon prompted him to become more open and actively engage in group studies.

Furthermore, self-study skills became crucial, a departure from his previous reliance on teachers.

"Without pre-reading before class, it's impossible to fully grasp the lectures due to the sheer volume of information covered in each session", Minh explained. This necessity led him to read ahead to identify key concepts.

After each class, Minh meticulously reviewed the material. When encountering particularly engaging content, he would often talk through it aloud, re-explaining concepts or seeking additional resources for deeper understanding and retention.

Starting in his third year, Minh found combining theoretical knowledge with clinical practice highly effective. This approach allowed him to connect concepts to real-world scenarios and apply his learning to specific patient cases. It also broadened his understanding of dentistry and maxillofacial surgery beyond common perceptions of examinations, extractions, and orthodontics, revealing its scope in treating trauma, cysts, and even maxillofacial cancers.

Minh vividly recalls a patient suffering from a maxillofacial abscess, which posed a critical risk of airway compression if not immediately addressed. Being allowed to observe and assist doctors in the operating room intensified his passion for the field.

Concurrently, he interned at a private clinic where a senior resident physician mentored him, inspiring him to pursue the residency exam.

The residency exam comprised three tests covering 13 subjects, encompassing both foundational and specialized knowledge. Minh and his study group collaborated, focusing on individual strengths for specific subjects and conducting comprehensive reviews during the final intensive phase.

This period also coincided with his university graduation exam preparations, particularly the rigorous clinical "station-based" exam. At each station, students had 10 minutes to demonstrate a practical skill on a model, such as filling, extracting, or aligning teeth. These procedures mirrored real patient scenarios, performed under the watchful eyes of professors.

Minh noted the intense pressure of completing all 10 stations. Failure would mean retaking the exam months later and losing eligibility for the resident physician program.

Juggling two concurrent exams occasionally left Minh feeling mentally exhausted, struggling to focus despite having his books open. During these moments, he would pause to listen to music or call his family for relaxation before resuming his demanding study schedule.

Ultimately, Minh expressed satisfaction with his achievements. He views the top scorer title not as a destination, but as a starting point. The newly qualified doctor anticipates the next three years as a crucial period to fully integrate into the hospital environment, gain experience in patient care under the mentorship of professors and senior residents, and engage with modern technologies and advanced dental procedures.

"I plan to maximize this opportunity to refine my knowledge and skills", Minh stated.