JAGUN 6: Review on Second Year Subjects and Book

Greetings. I have written this post half way before going on a vacation with my parents. I had been pretty busy ever since I came back. I was only reminded to post this up yesterday when Cheryl asked me “What books we need for second year ah?” Ops~!

Ok, let’s roll~

 Pathology

The study load of this subject is relatively fair. I spent less time on this subject than the rest. We did not touch all the system; only those that is important to us. The lecturers of this subject explained things very clearly and they take it at a slow pace. The class notes are lesser compared to other subject.   

The textbooks are quite thick. We are using the same books as the MBBS students. Since we don’t use the whole text book, some of us Xerox the pages required, some opt to buy the books. I prefer to have my own book because the colored photos inside really helps in understanding. Underwood is good for the basic concepts; we used it more in block I and block II. This book is really simple and straight forward. Another book, Robbins for me was good for block III and IV. For this book, you need to digest the information slowly; a little tougher than Underwood. Most of the spotter’s photos were also taken from these two textbooks. Again, class notes are very important. It’s good if you can add up the extra information from the textbooks every time after class that day.

Microbiology

In 2^nd year, most of us suffer most on 2 subjects; microbiology and pharmacology. I only got to like it when I was preparing for unis’. It’s a subject you have to read from various source, link them together and try your very best not to mix up the pathogenesis, clinical symptoms and lab diagnosis. Every organism might look similar but they really differ in many ways. The first block was really confusing. I remember we had an SDL session on the classification of various forms of bacteria where the lecturer asked us to give examples of each group. I just don’t know any of them yet and have to even purely memorize the names of the bacteria for exam. Immunity chapter is actually interesting and I only sorted out CD 4 and CD 8 function during my study break. I was really confused about the whole picture throughout the year. Things started to become more stable from block 2 onwards.

The textbooks for microbiology are plenty. Certain books are good for certain topics. Mims was the standard textbook. It runs a system based arrangement which differs from other textbook. Other textbooks are organisms based i.e. Bacteria, virus, protozoa. Mims is sometimes detail in certain topic and sometimes really brief on others. Levinson is good for immunity. Another book call ‘Arora for Dental Student’ is good for chapters like bacteria genetics, malaria, oral microbes. This book is a must buy for 2^nd year because it really concentrate more on the microbe of the mouth and those that are of significance in the dental profession. There is another 2 books which are quite similar in content. Ananthanarayan and Baveja. Baveja organizes the information in notes like order whereas Ananthanarayan does it in paragraphs. They both are good for the individual organisms learnt in block 2, 3 and 4. Except for Arora, I suggest you just take a Xerox of the information you need in the other books, or else you really have to spend a lot on the books.

Pharmacology

It’s the subject I dislike the most. I don’t like things without understanding. It was a real pain memorizing those drug names. The first two blocks I was merely chanting away in my room and always end up forgetting everything the next day. It nearly cost me to fail my block II exam. I find the best way to tackle this subject is by group study. Do a thorough reading on the day the topic was taught. And yes, it will take up a lot of time, maybe almost 2-3 hours. Later, gather with a friend or two during the weekend and bombard each other with question. It really helps. Just so you know, block 2 is terrible, so don’t even dare slack a bit then!

The good news, we just require one textbook, that is ‘Tara V. Shanbhag for Dental Student’. (There is also another version for MBBS, so make sure you buy the correct one.) It’s quite complete and easy to read. Class notes is still important but do also read the textbook as MTF also cover whatever is in the book. Occasionally, the lecturer will recommend Tripathi, a deeper textbook. It’s not necessary to have this one though.

Dental Materials

I must say, credits to our good lecturers for this subject, it was really easy going. I still remember first year where we don’t pay attention and was totally clueless what does strength or ductility means. Dr. Arul face will spell out the total disappointment in us. Things were much clearer in second year. It’s not hard, just a little effort and interest can help you do well in it. The topics sometimes overlapped with conservative dentistry and prosthodontics. What I find most important is to apply whatever we learnt in the other fields of dentistry. An advice, always do your revision a day before Dr. Arul comes in, he always conduct Self Assessments before starting class. You actually benefit a lot from it, so don’t put it to waste.

Philips is a good book but I will recommend to start off with Shama Bhat first. Class notes are important but it’s good to read up the textbooks.

All in all, I suggest consistency in your revision.  Whatever you learn, try to apply it in dentistry, especially the basic science subjects (Patho, Microb, Pharmac). For practical wise, just try not do slack too much in prostho and cons. You will really regret it if you do so.

That’s all from my side. All the best for 2^nd year.

(Ps: Sorry for not posting any photos. I don’t have the books with me currently, couldn’t take a photo of them) 

JAGUN 4: BOOKS anyone?

THIS SERVES AS A GUIDE TO GET YOUR FIRST YEAR BDS BOOKS.

How could medical students live without books; I know some live off notes, but notes comes from the books so it’s still the same. Hey, it’s tertiary education already! No more spoon feeding, you got to extract everything out from the books. The most common phrase after every lecture would be “Go back and read your textbooks. What I taught on the slides is just to make you understand.” And so more than three quarter of your time will be dating them, that is if you want to pass. Let me introduce you to the first year books. Take note of the author name I mention, you would have to yell their names in the bookstore later. (*) for special note

Anatomy

Charasia (pronounced Chau-Ra-Sia) vol.3 and general handbook

Inderbir Singh (pronounced In-Der-Bir Sing) embryology

*You might need Chaurasia vol 1 later in 4^th block. You can purchase it then.*

Physiology

Venkatesh (pronounced Ven-Ka-Tesh)

*I don’t know about you, but I hardly touch the textbooks for physio. The notes from lectures are more than enough. Maybe you want to consider not buying this book. You can just photocopy (Xerox is the term use for photocopy/Photostat in India.) the pages you need in the library. There is one more book call Lippincott’s used by the medical students. It gives a very detail explanation. Some chapters are good to refer to it. Just so you know.*

Biochemistry

Satyanarayana (pronounced Sat-Ya-Na-Ra-Ya-Na)

*Try pronouncing the name over and over again, a real tongue twister. Careful to buy the correct one because there are two versions for biochem. The other version is for medical student. Remember green cover and you won’t go wrong.*

Oral Biology

Orban (pronounced Or-Ban) dental histology

Ten Cate dental histology

Wheelers dental anatomy

*All three is a must. Yes, you will have to read a lot for this subject. Not easy people~*

Dental Materials & Prosthodontics

*I recommend not to buy first. Firstly because you won’t be opening the book for more than 5 times in year one. Secondly, do let the seniors to get ours as we will be needing it much much more than you. These two are non-exam going subjects and if needed, you can refer it at the library.*

That's all about your books. :D 

JAGUN 1

Finally, I’m done with my block 3 examination. It wasn’t easy as the last block especially DADH paper. I respect those seniors who managed to earn a distinction in that subject. I’m just merely trying to wiggle through. It’s actually my favourite subject; but we are under constrained to learn and memorize all the information in a limited time making it less appealing. Now, let’s put aside those sad past, think ahead.

 Hmm, I had been thinking to start a series in my blog for a long time now. Idea started flowing in but I wasn’t really into some of the things I thought of. At first I wanted to go around MANIPAL-MANGALORE-UDUPI hunting for nice food to share, but that has been done. There are many write up about the food here, so I didn’t bother to pursue it. Next, I thought about sharing places to go and do around here; that is also common. A few days back, Sonia and I were on our way to get bubble tea, and I saw a herd of cows by the road side, and I suddenly got the idea. I ask kak whether she agree on it, she said “ya, why not”. I have decided; I shall do a JAGUN series. For those who don’t understand the word “JAGUN”, it means being VERY surprised, somehow in a state of shock at something new that you will eventually get used to.  I wonder whether you get what I mean; but it’s mainly to introduce life here in Manipal/India as a BDS student.

Ok, I will start with the environment around Manipal, then maybe in the next few coming post I will introduced some other stuff. (Teaser: Instruments for carving?)

First thing you will notice once you reach here, is the honks. Honks from motorcycles, trunks, cars, auto fills the air around Manipal. Even as I’m writing this now, I can hear non-stop honking from outside. Well, you can say Indian people drive with their honks and not their brakes. Most of them don’t even use their signals and it’s extremely frustrating when you are waiting to cross the road; because you just don’t know where they want to turn. Honking here it’s not like back home; they actually have a variety of sounds to choose from. The weirdest honk sound ever was the monophonic “It’s A New World After All” song.

It’s not surprising to walk side by side with cows when you’re on your way to class. I mean, it’s India, where cows roam freely. Yes, they are wild cows, as in no one owns them. They go wherever and whenever they want. If the thought of being chased by a cow comes into your head, well, think again because they’re actually human-friendly. They might look scary due to their huge bodies but they usually just mind their own business and continue they daily routine (munching grass 24-7).

Don’t be surprise to get lots of poop on the roads here.  The cows’ poops can be found frequently along the road. They do it everywhere and anywhere they want. If you’re so lucky, you might even step on one. The chances are quite high as the average size of the shit is about the size of a roti canai. Yup, it’s huge~

Normally the ones on the road are squashed by vehicles; just watch out or the ones at the side of the road. The birds around Manipal also do it everywhere as well. The floors, especially the area under trees are full of white dried up bird shit which stinks badly. It’s advisable to carry an umbrella as you walk around because you never know when these birds feel like pooping.

Back in Malaysia, the crow are relatively tame and under control. Here, it’s a different story. As food is scarce, these crows will do anything to feed their hunger. You will never thought that these birds actually will snatch your food while you’re having your breakfast as you walk to class. Yup, it actually happens to a few of my classmate. Some even receive a peck on their head for not give up their food. 

The telecommunication companies in India are weird. I never get the idea of promoting something through spam calls. Yup, spam calls are extremely frequent in India. It’s weird to NOT get any in a day, especially if you signed up for Vodafone service. So often we get to hear some weird women voice over the phone singing or speaking like news caster. As compared to my friends, I receive less number of these calls. Airtel’s spam calls are fewer and it will be easy to detect them if you save the number in your phone. The trick is they always used back the same number over and over again.

Indians are quite good in utilizing space. You’ll be amazed at the amount of things they can stuff in a small room which have the size of a London telephone booth. From pails and brooms to stationaries to potatoes chips and snacks to shampoo and perfumes to biscuits and bread to fruits and candies to ladies accessories, you just name it, they have it.

One of the few “communication skills” you will get used to will be the infamous India’s head shakes. It’s not the usual nodding when we agree; it’s more like moving you head sideways, in a wiggling movement. At first you will feel weird but slowly you will get adapt to the practice here and in no time you will even shake along with them.

I think I will stop here for now. I have many more things to share, but I really need to return to my studies. (sounding like a nerd, oh well…)