Dr. Nichapat Panatyothin, or Dr. Mint, a 38th generation dentistry graduate, received her diploma in 2566 with her success in receiving the award “Outstanding Dental Graduate” in the year 2566 from the Somdej Phra Mahitalathibet Adulyadej Vikrom Foundation, is the 6th dental graduate of Khon Kaen University to receive the highest award for dental graduates in Thailand, following Dr. Kittipich Srisanoi, who received the same honor in 2565. Today, let's listen to Dr. Mint's perspective with an interview about this success.
Question: Do you expect to receive the Outstanding Dental Graduate Award?
Dr. Mint: I never expected it because this award is considered the highest award for dental graduates. Each year, there will only be one person. As for me, when I went to the interview, I prepared myself according to my duty. No matter what the result is, it doesn’t matter because I considered that I did my best. There is nothing to regret or regret later. If we don’t expect anything, we will not be disappointed. In the past, Mint used to be someone who would give it her all and had quite a lot of expectations. But as I grew up and encountered more things, I realized that not everything will be as we expected. Or what we think is right may not be as we thought. Therefore, not holding on to anything will prevent us from suffering from things that do not go as we expected.
Question: Doctor, do you have any techniques that will help you study hard and become successful?
Dr. Mint: This question is hard to answer. I don’t even think that I am a good student. But if you ask me about my past studies in the faculty, I like to look at what benefits I am studying and how I can develop it further. When I know why I am studying something, it will make me want to read and be more interested in what I am studying. In addition, knowing my own memory technique is also important. I have read that humans can remember by listening, speaking, reading, and writing. Each person has different memory skills. Some people may remember well when listening to the tape repeatedly. Some people may remember well when reading aloud. You have to try this out yourself. But for me, the way I remember best is to read or listen until I understand it and then write a summary. For some subjects, I have a whole notebook.
Question: What are your principles in life and professional career?
Dr. Mint: Actually, many principles are used together. If we are to connect it to Buddhist principles, it can be compared to the Four Noble Truths, which consist of suffering, its origin, its cessation, and the path.
Suffering is the existence of suffering.
Samudaya is the cause of suffering.
Nirodha is the cessation of suffering.
The path is the way leading to the cessation of suffering.
Because these things make us aware of our own thoughts and can lead to solutions to problems without having to suffer for a long time. As for professional use, it cannot be denied that we use this principle every day in our work. Let me give you an example of toothache to make it clearer. In this case,
Suffering, the symptom that makes you go to the dentist is toothache.
Samutthai The cause of the symptoms is tooth decay that has penetrated the pulp cavity.
Nirodha The treatment method is tooth extraction or root canal treatment.
The way to prevent it in the future is to take good care of your oral health.
It can be seen that this is a principle that follows a sequence of steps and can be applied in many situations.
Question: In your opinion, between being a good person and a smart person, what should you choose?
Dr. Mint: It's hard to answer. A talented person who uses their talent in the wrong way, taking advantage of others, that's not good. As for a good person, if they're good without knowledge, such as wanting to help but the result is worse than before because they lack the correct knowledge, that's not good either.
In conclusion, I don't want to choose either one. Even if you're not very good, but have basic knowledge, you don't have to be very good, but you don't have to be too bad. It's okay. These things are in the gray area because the definition of good and good is different for each person.
Question: For you, how important was your family in pushing you to reach this point?
Dr. Mint: My family has helped me in many ways. They are good advisors. Whenever I encounter something bad, they are always there to listen and support me when I ask to go to activities.
Question: In your opinion, what should the duties of dentists in Thailand be?
Dr. Mint: The main duty is to diagnose oral and dental diseases, treat dental diseases such as tooth extraction, tooth filling, scaling, provide knowledge about oral care, restore and rehabilitate oral organs, including examination and treatment of oral lesions, jaw and facial areas. According to the Dental Profession Act B.E. 2537, the definition of “dentistry” is a profession that deals with humans in the examination, diagnosis, treatment or prevention of dental diseases, diseases of organs related to teeth, diseases of organs in the mouth, diseases of jaws and facial bones related to the jaw, including surgical procedures and any procedures to treat, restore and rehabilitate oral organs, facial bones related to the jaw and dental work in the mouth. It can be seen that dentists or dental doctors do not only look at teeth, but also gums, surrounding organs, including jaws and related bones. For example, if we want to make it clearer, such as oral cancer screening, Mint agrees with the statement that dentists are oral doctors. Dentists do not only take care of teeth, we take care of more than that. Currently, there are still many people who think that dentists only look at teeth.
Question: How do you feel on the occasion of receiving your degree?
Dr. Mint: I feel very happy. It is a time when I get to meet my teachers, friends, juniors, and many people who have passed through my life as a dental student. Even though it is a tiring time, it is also an important time in my life.
In addition, this year, Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn represented His Majesty in the graduation ceremony, which made us feel very proud and grateful for His Majesty's kindness.
Final question: What message would you like to give to young dentists across Thailand?
Dr. Mint: I understand that the life of a dental student is hard and difficult, especially due to uncontrollable factors. I would like to encourage everyone. Our lives are not strewn with rose petals. There are happiness and sadness mixed together. It is the color of life. And no one has never made a mistake. I have made mistakes many times. But those things will teach us not to make the same mistake again. The person who has never made a mistake is the person who has never done anything. A teacher once told me that everything that happens is always good. Yes, no matter what happens, good or bad, when you get through it, it will teach you. When you look back, you will be proud that you have grown up and become more mature from that day's events. What you experienced that day was only a fraction of the real events in your life. Finally, I would like to encourage all future dentists again. If you need any help, please contact me. I would be more than happy to help.
The Faculty of Dentistry would like to thank Dr. Mint, DDS. Nichapat Panatyothin, for sacrificing her time to be interviewed this time, which was beneficial to everyone and also gave encouragement to the students to be patient and persevere in their studies to achieve success. The Faculty would like to congratulate the excellent doctor on the occasion of receiving his royal degree this time.