When Cortney Radulescu began her community-based dental rotation in Cleveland, Tennessee, she expected to sharpen her clinical skills. What she did not expect was how much the experience would reshape her confidence as a future dentist.
Radulescu, a fourth-year student at Lincoln Memorial University-College of Dental Medicine (LMU-CDM), spent several weeks working in a high-volume pediatric practice as part of the university’s Community-Based Dental Education program. There, she treated children with a wide range of dental needs while adapting to the pace and demands of real-world clinical care.
“The experience exceeded all my expectations and has been one of the most formative parts of my dental education,” Radulescu said.
At Kids Dental Center in Cleveland, Radulescu completed hundreds of procedures under the supervision of Dr. Blain Reynolds. The fast-paced environment pushed her to improve efficiency and clinical judgment while gaining hands-on experience with advanced pediatric techniques.
Beyond technical growth, Radulescu said the mentorship she received played a defining role.
“The support and encouragement I received helped me build confidence in areas where I initially struggled,” she said. “The team created an environment that allowed me to grow while still feeling supported.”
The experience reflects LMU-CDM’s mission to provide high quality dental care to underserved areas using a community-centered education program while helping students gain both professional experience and empathy for their patients. For Radulescu, the impact was both professional and personal. Each day in the clinic reinforced her growth as a clinician and strengthened her readiness to enter practice.
“I left each day knowing I had gained skills and confidence that will shape me into a better dentist,” she said.
The LMU-College of Dental Medicine, located in Knoxville at the recently renovated LMU Tower, offers Doctor of Medicine in Dentistry and Dental Hygiene programs. For more information, contact collegeofdentalmedicine@LMUnet.edu.
