Ponder the Conclusion Initially: Dr. DiDonato's Guidance for Residents
Dr. Joseph DiDonato: A Dentist, a Teacher, and a Fossil Hunter
In the world of dentistry, Dr. Joseph DiDonato, DDS, MBA, is a name that resonates with dedication, wisdom, and a unique approach to teaching. Born and raised in Lake Ronkonkoma, a hamlet on Long Island, DiDonato's journey began at New York University Langone Health School of Dentistry and Eastman's GPR program, where he graduated in 1982.
After his residency, DiDonato joined two practices in Rochester and began teaching part-time at Eastman. His natural inclination towards teaching shone brightly, and he quickly established himself as a respected figure among his peers. Today, most of the residents call him 'Coach.'
Dr. DiDonato is a fossil hunter at heart, having embarked on expeditions to various countries like Morocco, Turkey, Eastern Europe, Brazil, and China. However, in most countries, any fossils found are the property of the country and cannot be kept. Despite this, his passion for paleontology remains undeterred.
In the realm of dentistry, DiDonato's teaching style is as unique as his hobbies. He encourages residents to write their own obituary, a tool designed to make them think about the long-term value of each day in their career, representing 20 days a month, times 12 months a year over a 40-year career. This exercise, along with his other methods, is aimed at building self-confidence and encouraging residents to think about the end before the beginning.
Dr. Sangeeta Gajendra, professor and clinical chief, EIOH Community Dentistry, attests to DiDonato's impact on the residents. She states that he is extremely helpful to GPR residents and often found in treatment rooms discussing cases with them. His unique teaching method, which includes withholding answers to get residents to search for information on their own, and his use of tools like cockpit resource management, which encourages residents to subdue their ego and take full advantage of everyone's skill and contributions in the operatory, have made him a beloved figure among the residents.
DiDonato's legacy hopes to be all about patient care and teaching. His obituary, which he wrote several years ago, reflects this dedication. He believes that the benefits of teaching go two ways, as he often learns things from the residents. His hobby of learning random science facts, such as the weight of an electron or the speed of light, is a testament to this.
In his free time, DiDonato enjoys his Fridays and interacts well with the residents, feeling like he is still 32 years old. Despite his busy schedule, he consistently seeks out new science-related information to fuel his passion for learning.
Dr. DiDonato's teaching style challenges residents to think critically in the context of both public health and private practice. His main goal is to build their self-confidence and encourage them to think about the end before the beginning. With his unique approach and unwavering dedication, DiDonato continues to inspire and shape the future of dentistry.
- Dr. Joseph DiDonato's teaching philosophy extends beyond dental practice, instilling an emphasis on health-and-wellness, fitness-and-exercise, and personal-growth in his students.
- His approach to community health goes beyond the dental clinic, caring not just for individual patients but also promoting education-and-self-development in his pursuits, such as paleontology.
- Dr. DiDonato's unique teaching techniques include career-development strategies, like his exercise of having students write their own obituary, to remind them of the importance of long-term growth in the field.
- In sharing his own love for learning and science, Dr. DiDonato encourages his students to foster their personal growth and development, ultimately contributing to a well-rounded professional career in patient care.
