Martha commented that the group shared a distinct set of values and manners. That made me reflect on what I learned at CBC and how it has influenced decisions I make every day in my practice. For example, I was part of the Precision Drill Team where my uniform was scrutinized, every inch of my rifle had to be cleaned and oiled and my very movements were drilled to precision. Dentistry is all about precision.

Winning championships in football and soccer required training that was so rigorous, even in brutal weather, that for years after I graduated I wanted nothing to do with exercise. Of course, I’ve since returned to it, but my point is I learned that in order to win and excel at what you do you have to dedicate yourself.

The standards of CBC – to win in sports, achieve high academic scores, become proficient in precision military exercises and even have impeccable personal grooming, all required a sharp mental focus. This has helped enormously as a dentist, since I’m narrowing my attention on millimeters every day. When I sit down at that chair to work on a patient’s mouth, my attention needs to be 100% there. Do schools today still demand those standards? I’d like to hear what you think.