• An Indian dentist with added skills in global public health, Poojan has always striven for exponential development in public relations and innovation. He moved to the United States with an aim to understand public health determinants across the globe. This brought him to Boston University to receive his Master’s degree training in public health before his transition to Henry M Goldman School of Dental Medicine. A great listener, being approachable is one of his imminent skills. In anticipation of a holistic growth, Poojan is elated about his commitment to ASDA and seeks to propagate a similar attitude in his colleagues and aspirants. Advocating for the cause and the nobility of his profession has always been his passion and as such, it is of his great interest to guide others who intend to serve the community. Currently, Poojan is serving an integral role as the Chair of the ASDA AS/IDP advisory committee, both locally and nationally. In his free time, Poojan is an avid cook, likes to hike, attend social events, and meet new people of diverse backgrounds.

• Coming back to the United States where I was born, to fulfill my dream to train as a dentist, was more of a determination than just mere fate  I was in Egypt – my home country for almost a little over two decades, where I grew up and finished my dental school training. Moving back to the States, I lived in California for 2 years, volunteering at the University of California - San Diego pre-dental society. During my time there, I had invaluable experiences that helped me a lot to get to know more about the health care system in the United States and how to be an effective role player in my community. Subsequently, I applied to the International Dentistry Program (IDP) at Rutgers School of Dental Medicine in New Jersey and I am currently a fourth-year dental student here. My current professional goal is to pursue Pediatric Dentistry Residency program after finishing my DMD training. I always believed that prevention is the key to a healthy life especially with dentistry, and it should start as early when one’s born. Educating our patients and our children about the importance of their oral wellbeing play an imminent role in helping them maintain their oral health for the rest of their lives. Get involved, get out there, volunteer and find your passion because there's no better driver for self than your determination, your passion.

Amanjyot Kaur Bains

• I was born and raised in Punjab, India. I have earned my Bachelors of Dental Surgery from Punjab, India, and Masters in Clinical Research from the University of California, San Diego. I have worked as a research assistant at Loma Linda University for 2 years before getting into the dental school. 

• Everything started with a dream. 5 years ago, I stepped onto the American soil, like many of you, with a dream - to become a dentist. When I first started writing, I was exactly 3 days away from my DDS degree and now that I just graduated, I’d like to share with you my story to hopefully inspire you in all your personal endeavors.
  Although I currently live in Seattle, I am originally from Moldova - a small country in the East of Europe. It is here in Seattle, where I took my National Boards, volunteered in Dental Clinics, got involved in different research projects, led community events and so on - all with an aim to be doing my best to build that “perfect CV” that will open the doors for me to a Dental School. And it did. All because I continued to believe in myself.
  One month after my interview for the DDS program I got that magical call which changed my life. I was granted admission to the University of Minnesota, a school with a solid reputation formed over the course of 130 years. The 2.5 years of this program were definitely a real life “roller coaster ride” - with many ups and downs but with the best opportunities I could've ever wished for. 
  Good luck to all out there thinking about pursuing their dentistry here. Always remember - believe in your dream no matter what.”