title: On becoming a surgeon.
abstract: A dentist who has just completed eight years of oral and maxillofacial residency training reflects on what drew him to the specialty and how it changed him. He notes three characteristics of his training that differed from predoctoral education and help define a surgeon: patient-based learning, learning from constant discussions with colleagues, and the habit of facing unexpected outcomes as a source of learning.
authors.affiliation: grsst18@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Greg
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Sarka
mesh_terms: D002321:Career Choice; D003162:Competency-Based Education; D004497:Education, Dental / Q000379:methods; D006126:Group Processes; D006801:Humans; D007396:Internship and Residency; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D013515:Surgery, Oral / Q000193:education*