At the beginning of my clinical journey, there was so much I had to learn and it felt like a huge challenge. The new environment felt intimidating yet exciting as I prepared to embark on my clinical journey at the National University Centre for Oral Health Singapore (NUCOHS).

However, with my mentors' guidance and their patient teaching, my worry and anxiety eased as they structured and planned my clinical journey into one of organised learning and continuous improvement.

One particularly memorable experience was when a supervisor took extra time after a shift to break down a complex case, ensuring I understood not just the 'how' but also the 'why'.

On another occasion when I hesitated to perform a procedure, my supervisor sensed my trepidation and gently guided my hands, offering words of encouragement until my confidence was restored.

It was moments like these that really made my clinical experience fulfilling and gave me the motivation and impetus to develop my skills.

My mentors at NUCOHS created a nurturing environment with their genuine care and support. They celebrated my victories, however small, and turned every setback into a constructive lesson, never allowing discouragement to taint the learning process. Their support fashioned a safe learning environment where questions were welcomed, and curiosity was nurtured. This has been vital to my growth and development as an oral health professional.

As I reflect on my experiences with the clinical staff at NUCOHS, I am filled with gratitude. I couldn’t have had better supervisors and mentors than them. These exceptional mentors have not only imparted their professional wisdom and skills but also instilled a profound sense of resilience and compassion in me. They have made the initial daunting clinical practice journey to one that was structured, organised, and clear. It was due largely to them that I have the confidence to stride forward in my ongoing oral health therapy journey.