Perspective of a resident doctor at AIIMS on INI-CET Exam

Having attended a paramilitary school where most of his peers were gearing up for the National Defence Academy (NDA) examination after high school, Dr. Dammuilung Pamei too had an inclination towards it but he found himself on a different trajectory as his parents wanted him to study medicine.

After completing primary and high school in his hometown Haflong and Golaghat in Upper Assam, Pamei did his intermediate education from Assam Rifles Public School, Shillong, Meghalaya, before earning a Bachelor of Dental Surgery degree from Regional Dental College, Guwahati, in 2017. He served as a resident surgeon at the same institution after completing his internship and went on to crack the Institute of National Importance Combined Entrance Test (INI-CET) exam for All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, in his first attempt in 2020.

Pamei, who is currently serving as a Resident Doctor in the Department of Pediatric and Preventive Dentistry at the Centre for Dental Education and Research in AIIMS, said that he also loves football, running, angling, and sleeping.

In an exclusive interview with Eastern Mirror, the 31-year-old doctor shared about the INI-CET exam and offered tips for aspiring candidates. 

Do you think getting admission at AIIMS through the INI-CET exam is crucial for dental students?

Although a majority of us have a calling, such as working as a clinician in a dental clinic or setting up our own clinic after graduation, getting a post graduate seat is what some of us aspire for. Joining AIIMS through INI-CET is a very good opportunity due to its reputation for high-quality medical education and training. While at AIIMS, we are exposed to a lot of clinical scenarios, research opportunities and experienced faculty. Residents often benefit from the prestige associated with AIIMS, which can open doors for career advancement and specialized training.

Could you share your study techniques, resources, and other specific strategies that worked well for you during your preparation for the exam?

First of all, it is essential to establish a strong foundation in the subject matter and then opt for one or two MCQ books for preparation. I enrolled in a coaching institute to receive guidance, which benefited me greatly with the study materials provided. Even though I followed the general pattern which was advised, certain changes had to be made so that the topics could be completed faster. Throughout the six-month preparation period, my primary strategy was to thoroughly cover the MCQ books and re-read all the topics multiple times, with a minimum of five revisions. Additionally, I consulted materials from select authors which I thought would be important besides revising the study materials provided by the coaching institute. As for my study schedule, I maintained flexibility, ensuring that I did not exceed 12 hours of study on productive days and taking breaks every 3-4 hours to avoid burnout. Also, I minimized distractions by adopting a reclusive lifestyle. There were a few days when I did not study at all, but that is a different story.

What guidance would you offer to prospective candidates who have never taken the exam and are uncertain on how to begin?

The only thing I would like to say to prospective candidates is, “go for it”. Get the study materials, get a place to read without any distractions and start reading.

How did you manage your time and create a study schedule to balance the demands of your Bachelor of Dental Surgery studies and INI-CET preparation?

To be honest, during my BDS, I was only concentrating on my BDS finals. I only started preparing after my house job (a period of post-medical study that medical doctors must complete before becoming a full-time professional practitioner).

Can you share us any specific tips or advice for aspiring students who want to write INI-CET exam and study at AIIMS?

 Specifically for AIIMS, you will have to have knowledge about the exam pattern which is quite unique compared to the NEET pattern. Additionally, consider joining a reputable institute with a track record of helping students secure admissions to AIIMS. Take regular mock exams so as to gain confidence and to improve time management and be consistent in your efforts.

What are the career opportunities and scope for someone who completes an MDS programme? 

After completion of the MDS programme, there are ample career opportunities. Individuals can set up a dental clinic and start working as dental surgeons within the specialization, consultants in other dental clinics, academic faculty in dental colleges, specialists in multi-specialty hospitals or even as research scientists.

Can you share us some specializations within MDS that have good career prospect?

There are many different specializations within MDS besides pediatric and preventive dentistry that can lead to good career prospects. Some of the most popular and lucrative specializations include:

Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery: Specializes in the surgical treatment of the mouth, jaws, and face. Procedures range from surgical tooth extractions to jaw surgery and facial reconstruction.

Endodontics: Focuses on treating the root canal system of the teeth. Root canals and other procedures are performed to save infected or damaged teeth.

Periodontics: Revolves around treating the gums and supporting structures of the teeth. Periodontists treat gum disease with procedures like scaling and root planning, and they also place dental implants.

Prosthodontics: Involves replacing missing teeth and restoring damaged teeth. Dentures, bridges, crowns, implants and other dental appliances are created by prosthodontists.

Orthodontics: Corrects misaligned teeth and jaws. Braces, Invisalign, and other appliances are used by orthodontists to straighten teeth and improve the bite as well as improve facial features.

Can you give us an insight into the clinical and academic aspects of your course of study as a resident doctor?

As a resident doctor in the department of Pediatric and Preventive Dentistry, our responsibilities include gaining an in-depth understanding of pediatric dental care, including hands-on clinical experiences with younger patients. We also specialize in treating children with special health care needs, with our primary focus being on providing comprehensive care aimed at improving our patients’ quality of life and ensuring their healthy development into adulthood. Additionally, we engage in academic pursuits such as research, seminars, journal clubs and case studies within our field so that we are able to help provide the best possible care to our patients.

How do you balance the academic demands of MDS with your practical clinical training at AIIMS?

Multitasking is key. Our clinic is open from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with a lunch break from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. During those hours, we are focused on our clinical duties. In between seeing patients, we try to work on their records. Otherwise, most of our academic work, record maintenance or preparation for the next day is done after hours.

What advice would you offer to students who are facing challenges passing the exam?

If you have done thorough preparation, I would think that the INI-CET question pattern is not particularly difficult. The problem is that, with thousands of applications, there are only roughly 10 seats available each session, making admissions extremely competitive. I would like to ask students who are facing challenges not to be too hard on themselves. Take a breather, unwind, get more organized and try again. The NEET exams are another option.

RAPID INSIGHTS:

Time-Travel Wish

Back to the 90s where life was much simpler, people were nicer and neighbourhoods were safer.

A life lesson from angling

Perseverance is key, but also be prepared to bring your own bait, as there may not be earthworms at your fishing spot.

Favourite way to unwind and relax after a long day at AIIMS

Rewatch all episodes of “Family Guy”.

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