Resident Spotlight: Dr. Elias N. Bogale, D.D.S.
Compiled by Dr. Priscilla L. Carpenter
Dr. Elias Bogale is currently wrapping up his first year as an endodontic resident at the University of Florida, where he will serve as the Chief Resident in his second year.
The Paper Point: Thank you so much for taking time away from your busy schedule for this interview, Elias! Tell our readers a little bit about yourself.
Dr. Elias Bogale: Thank you for the invite, it is a true honor! I am originally from Ethiopia and moved to the U.S. (Pennsylvania) at the age of 10. I stayed in the northeastern region and attended dental school at Howard University College of Dentistry in Washington, D.C. I made the move down to Florida with my amazing wife and fur-baby to attend this incredible program that I’m very grateful to be a part of.
The Paper Point: Why did you choose dentistry?
Dr. Elias Bogale: I chose dentistry because it is a field that would enable me to express my passion for science, engage in hands-on work, and interact with others. I shadowed a few dentists to see if it would be a good career match for me in 11th grade and never looked back.
The Paper Point: What influenced your decision to pursue endodontics? What do you most enjoy about endodontics?
Dr. Elias Bogale: An endodontic faculty in dental school, Dr. Lisa Slade, opened my eyes to the specialty with her vibrant teaching style during my D1 clinical rotation. From there, I learned that endodontics is the field of dentistry that epitomizes a systematic approach to patient focused problem solving. Ultimately, those are the aspects of dentistry that appeal most to me and I am blessed to be able to pursue the specialty.
I think what I enjoy the most about endodontics is the process of facing, overcoming, and learning from the challenges that the field presents day in and day out.
The Paper Point: That’s awesome! Which aspect of residency have you found to be most valuable (lit review, treating patients, seminar)?
Dr. Elias Bogale: I would say that the time spent in the clinic and treating patients has been the most valuable part of my residency. I feel fortunate to have such amazing faculty and co-residents to learn from, making this journey incredible so far. Literature reviews, seminars, and lectures have all contributed to making me a better provider for my patients. However, it’s hard to compete with the feeling of treating a patient who comes in with pain and ends up falling asleep in the dental chair during treatment.
The Paper Point: I definitely relate to that, I always tell my patients that them falling asleep in the chair is one of the highest compliments they can give!
One of my favorite things on your impressive list of accomplishments is the “Community Spirit Award” which, for our readers, is an award given out by the District of Columbia’s Dental Society to a member who has exemplified leadership and advocates for the oral health of the underserved community of D.C. That’s an amazing honor! What drives your passion for serving the underserved?
Dr. Elias Bogale: Thank you! It was an honor to receive that award. Howard University College of Dentistry is a big proponent of community service which allowed me many opportunities to lend a helping hand. Helping the underserved community has always been something I value. I realized that through dentistry. I had not only gained specific skills to improve others’ oral health but also the ability to provide knowledge to help them take charge of their own oral and overall health. The knowledge-sharing aspect of helping the underserved community is what drives me the most in this regard.
The Paper Point: I love that! Speaking of community, this year was the first AAE you attended as a resident. What were some highlights for you?
Dr. Elias Bogale: The AAE in Los Angeles was a great experience. It was wonderful to see residents from other programs, reconnect with colleagues, and make new connections in the community. I appreciated the opportunity to gain a higher level of understanding during the insightful lectures and research presentations. My co-resident, Kyle Lantz, and I had the honor of being presented with the Table Clinic Presentation Award for our research.
The Paper Point: That’s awesome! Congratulations! So tell us, in between the busyness of residency, what do you enjoy doing with your free time? Any hobbies?
Dr. Elias Bogale: Free time is hard to find these days! But when I do have some, I enjoy playing and watching sports. Soccer is my favorite and, unfortunately, I’m a Manchester United fan. My wife and I have a German Shephard/Husky mix that keeps us busy with going on long evening and weekend walks.
The Paper Point: As you go into your final year of residency, it’s impossible not to think about the future and life after residency. What is next for you?
Dr. Elias Bogale: That is a surreal thought as I get ready for the final lap of my educational career. My wife and I have been a big fan of the weather in Florida. During our time here so far, we’ve done some exploring and think that the Orlando area is somewhere we can see ourselves settling. We will see where our opportunities take us as we take it one day at a time.
The Paper Point: Thank you so much, Dr. Bogale for spending some time chatting with us! Do you have any final words for our readers?
Dr. Elias Bogale: Thank you, Dr. Carpenter! I appreciate you for hosting me. I commend you and the rest of the Resident and New Practitioner Committee for putting together great events, programs and the e-newsletter. It allows us residents to feel more connected to the AAE community as we prepare for the real world. I look forward to future events and connections with the more members of the AAE community.
Dr. Priscilla L. Carpenter is a member of the AAE’s Resident and New Practitioner Committee.