Dentistry exam topnotcher from Southern Leyte shares childhood dental anxiety

MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte, Jan. 22 (PNA) – The topnotcher of recent dentistry examination from Southern Leyte used to have fear of visiting a dental clinic.

Motivated by her parents, Rosette Gaditano Pagpaguitan, 24, a resident of Bontoc town took up dentistry in college to conquer that fear.

She took the top spot, besting 446 other passers in the 2015 December Dentistry Board Exam with a score of 84.40 percent. There were 900 examinees nationwide.

“At the age of six, I had this fear of dentists that my first scheduled tooth extraction was not pushed through. That memory motivated me to take up the course to help children love dentists and dental care,” Papaguitan said.

“I am still speechless with the results. I can’t still believe it. I am overwhelmed. I only prayed I passed the board because it was really tough, passers comprised roughly 50 percent of all the takers, but God gave me so much more,” Pagpaguitan shared.

The topnotcher is the daughter of retired teachers Alginia and Rogelio of the Southern Leyte State University in Bontoc town.

She graduated cum-laude in Southwestern University, Cebu City. Got the salutatorian and valedictorian honors in high school and elementary, respectively. She has two siblings who are both physicians.

She only reviewed for two months at the University of the Philippines, Manila, then self- review for four months prior to the national board exam last December.

She recalled that she was crying when she took the exam. On the third day of the exam, she was feverish.

“I prayed a lot though. I had a devotion to St. Jude Thaddeus. On most Thursdays, I attended mass at the National Shrine of St. Thaddeus.”

A member of the dance troupe at the university, Pagpaguitan advised those taking the dentistry to not only focus on their studies but to take extracurricular activities to relax.

Pagpaguitan recalled that when she started reviewing in Manila last year, she would sometimes take breaks and watch soap operas on television.

She initially had plans to start a private practice in her hometown but for now, she wants to work as an associate dentist in Cebu to gain experience. (PNA)
RMA/SQM/VICKY C. ARNAIZ