Why do you want to be a dentist?
My interest in dentistry has developed from multiple events in my life. Through shadowing and personal experiences, I have seen firsthand how dentistry has the ability to improve the well-being of patients both physically and mentally. Additionally, through the predental club at my university, I have learned how oral hygiene impacts overall health and can lead to complications in the rest of the body if not taken care of properly. I have been inspired by this to share the importance of dentistry with my future patients as well as through organized dentistry. Dentistry provides the ability to serve others in a capacity that can positively impact their lives in so many ways. Because of this and my experiences, I truly cannot imagine pursuing any other career.

What are you most excited about for dental school?
I am most excited for the community aspect of dental school. As president of the predental club at my university, building community was our main priority as it helped us navigate the undergraduate journey to dental school together. Continuing this in dental school on a greater scale with individuals with similar goals and interests is exciting to me. Community and teamwork bring out the best in people, which is why I am excited to grow into the best version of myself in dental school.

Why do you think you’ll make a good dentist?
I believe I will make a good dentist through my empathy and trustworthiness. It is natural for patients to feel anxious and apprehensive about going to the dentist, which is why a good dentist should understand this and make their patients feel as comfortable as possible. By having integrity and empathy, I will be able to effectively build these relationships so that patients trust me to help them and provide them with the treatment they need. While doing good dental work is vital, I will not have the opportunity to do the dental work on a patient if they are not comfortable and trusting of me. Therefore, I believe these interpersonal skills are what separates a good dentist from a great dentist.

What excites you most about ASDA?
What excites me most about ASDA is the opportunity to be exposed to organized dentistry while still in school. ASDA plays a vital role in dental advocacy by providing numerous lobbying events, national meetings, and other events that help educate students on ways to improve the field. While the actual dental work provided to our future patients is extremely important, a second side to the profession exists in lobbying for those same patients and learning how to provide the best care possible. As a lifelong learner, ASDA is a wonderful resource and organization for me to be a part of.