Page 81 - DP Vol 20 No 3

EDITOR HAS THE LAST WORD
REUNIONS ARE REJUVENATING
DR. SUSHANT UMRE
Professionally,
conversations with
dental and medical
school friends
might introduce
you to new
courses or training
opportunities
that you hadn’t
considered before.
Sharing patient
cases and treatment
strategies can
improve your
practice and patient
outcomes.
Having recently soaked myself in the collective outburst of the passionately charged
memory called a golden jubilee reunion of my school, I cannot help but ponder on the
nature of the institution itself and the need it satisfies in our life. In the last few years,
I have had reasons to attend several of these. As one grows older and the number of
celebratory occasions multiply and in each case, the emotion is surprisingly intense and
often more crystallized and definite than it was the first time around.
When friends meet, exchanging thoughts and ideas is a fundamental part of the interaction.
These exchanges can be incredibly enriching and cover a wide array of topics, reflecting
the diverse experiences and perspectives each person brings to the table. While chatting
with a group of friends from my dental school at a recent reunion, I wondered how our
discussion has changed over time. As we have grown, our discussions have shifted from
our professions to our marriages, to children, their education and vocations, and finally
now, our retirement plans.
Each stage reflects our evolving priorities and the changing dynamics of our lives. It’s a
beautiful journey of growth and shared experiences, illustrating how our discussions have
mirrored our personal and professional development over the years. Personally, friends
provide a valuable support system. Emotionally, helping you navigate personal challenges
and celebrate successes. Hearing different viewpoints can broaden your understanding
of various situations and help you see things from new angles. Positive feedback and
encouragement from friends can boost your self-esteem and confidence.
Professionally, conversations with dental and medical school friends might introduce
you to new courses or training opportunities that you hadn’t considered before. Sharing
patient cases and treatment strategies can improve your practice and patient outcomes.
Discussing how others manage their personal and professional lives can provide practical
tips for achieving better balance yourself. Further discussing work-related challenges with
friends lead to innovative solutions and new approaches. Learning about your friends’
professional achievements can inspire and motivate you to pursue your own goals with
renewed vigour.
I personally have benefitted because I have managed to meet my friends from our dental
school quite regularly. Besides many personal benefits, professionally these meetings have
really contributed to my growth. When you interact you exchange ideas and experiences
that keep us updated on the latest.
My school reunion brought about a feeling that did not quite exist. We discovered a sense
of oneness with others who shared our past with us. At a school reunion, everyone is a
treasured friend, even if we did or did not really have too much in common. The need for
nostalgic reunions comes, in part, from a desire to make sense of one’s own life. We see
reflections of ourselves in the others who knew us then and we understand changes we
have undergone through their eyes. And while the pleasure of reunions comes from the
bond we renew with others, in some way what we are really seeking is a deeper bond with
our own selves.
I would strongly recommend that you should not lose any opportunity to meet up with
your friends from school and college. Schedule regular get-togethers and encourage
open honest communication to foster deeper connections and don’t limit conversations
to professional matters. Remember human beings are inherently social creatures and
socializing especially with those who knew us in our growing years plays a crucial role in
our overall wellbeing and development. n
Dental Practice I May-June 2024 I Vol 20 No 3 79