The journey of Christina Philips, D.D.S., M.S.D. at Virginia Commonwealth University School of Dentistry has seen her transition from dental student to orthodontics resident to now a full-time faculty member. And she did it all in just a few years.

For Philips, the journey has been a time of finding passion, working hard and learning of her calling to teach the next generation of dental professionals.

When reflecting on her journey as a student and resident, Philips noted the mentors that helped guide her whether it be in the classroom, clinics, or research labs. Now looking ahead to her future as a faculty member, she hopes to pay that forward.

“To now serve on the faculty of the very program that molded me is both very humbling and deeply meaningful,” Philips said. 

Philips always knew she wanted to work in healthcare because of the opportunities to help others in need. Choosing dentistry and orthodontics was rooted in the ability to form relationships with patients.

“You get to go through a whole journey with your patients, especially in orthodontics,” Philips said. “I love getting to know my patients and seeing them grow over the years.”

After graduating from Washington and Lee University with a degree in biology, Philips started her dental education at VCU in 2019.

“I was first drawn to VCU because of this family feeling, camaraderie and spirit,” Philips said.

Her time at VCU School of Dentistry was shaped by the people around her. Philips recalled partaking in student organizations, spending time studying with her peers, and serving as the vice president of her class for all four years. However, it was her research efforts that stood out to her the most.

As a second year dental student, Philips received funding from VCU’s Commercialization Fund to develop her own invention. Her project, called the “Proxy-Flosser”, is a cleaning device for people who wear braces. Using the device, users can simultaneously floss and clean around their braces in one motion. The invention is currently patent pending.

“I had an idea and I was able to fully pursue it thanks to support from VCU and my instructors,” Philips said. “It is great to be able to explore innovation and research while still being a student. I would recommend that all students take advantage of the resources and opportunities they have while at VCU.”

As her time as a dental student was approaching its end, Philips knew she wanted to pursue an orthodontics residency. Matching at VCU was her first choice in a residency program and where she had found such close camaraderie. 

It was during her residency that she felt a spark towards teaching. Drawing upon her experiences as a dental student at VCU, she enjoyed giving lectures in various courses to second and third year dental students and giving chairside instruction to fourth year dental students. 

“I’ve always had a natural inclination for teaching and genuinely enjoy finding creative ways to make learning exciting and engaging,” Philips said. “Throughout my residency, I discovered that sharing knowledge and helping others grow in the dental profession is incredibly fulfilling and rewarding.”

Throughout her two-year residency, Philips developed close working relationships with her fellow residents and mentors. Among others, Philips noted the leadership of Steven J. Lindauer, D.M.D., M.D.Sc., Dr. Eser Tufekci, D.D.S., M.S., Ph.D., M.S.H.A., and Bhavna Shroff, D.D.S., M.D.Sc., M.P.A., as being pivotal in her orthodontics education. Lindauer serves as department chair while Shroff directs the residency program. 

“Every interaction I’ve had with the faculty at VCU I’ve taken something important away,” Philips said. “So many people contributed to my success and development of who I am as a dentist and a person.”

Compared to the D.D.S. class size of over 100 students in each class, the orthodontic post-grad program has only four students per year for two years. Therefore, the faculty in the department get to know the orthodontic residents very well. Towards the end of Philips’ residency, Lindauer observed that she had the qualities to make an excellent educator.

“Dr. Philips is very imaginative and thinks outside the box,” Lindauer said. “We often would go around the room asking everyone to express their opinions about a case being presented and the first person would say something and then the others would all agree, going around the room one by one. But Dr. Philips often would come up with original thoughts and ideas, forcing everyone else to think harder about what they originally believed or expressed.”

According to Lindauer, this is one of the qualities that makes a great teacher.

“The best teacher is not one who will stand up and tell everyone what the answer is but is one that will stimulate their students to come up with the right answer, or challenge them to think about what other answers might be correct. Dr. Philips is able to do this and enjoys doing it,” said Lindauer.

Upon completing her residency, Philips decided to go into teaching. 

Working in academia gave her the opportunity to not only continue working in the clinic, but also to help advance the mission of VCU. As the only dental school in the Commonwealth, VCU School of Dentistry strives to create the next leaders in oral health by teaching clinical skills, promoting community service, and innovation through technology. 

As a faculty member, Philips saw a chance to instill these values that shaped her into new students. She currently gives lectures on orthodontics to second year dental students, is an attending faculty member in the orthodontics clinics, and even sees her own patients in the Faculty Practice. According to Philips, no two days are ever the same and there’s opportunities to learn and grow at every corner.

“My continued commitment to the school reflects not only my respect for the academic and clinical environment and the people, but also my belief in its mission and vision for the future of dental education and dental health care professionals,” said Philips.