DMD Student Stories

Why did you decide to pursue a DMD program, and why did you choose to study at UBC's Faculty of dentistry?

Growing up, I was always fascinated by how the world around me worked - from the human body, to astronomy, to ecology. When I wasn't reading and learning, I was always finding a new arts and crafts project to take on. Dentistry allowed me to combine my curiosity with my passion for helping others, all while using my hands. UBC Dentistry was an obvious choice - BC's mountains and ocean are my home, and I was not ready to leave!

What aspects of your life/career before have best prepared you for the DMD program?

My background in Biology at UBC prepared me for the robust nature of the DMD program, while my experience as a Researcher at BC Cancer helped me pursue Pediatric Dentistry research within the Faculty.

What aspect of your DMD program do you enjoy the most or are looking forward to with the most curiosity?

So far, I love both pediatric and restorative dentistry, but I am also extremely excited to learn more about endodontics in the upcoming year!

How do you envision your life after school?

I hope to graduate and work in the Lower Mainland, but I am definitely open to considering further training in the area of pediatrics... the thought of wearing Disney scrubs to work every day really excites me!

What advice do you have for new students?

Try to balance your time well. Academics are definitely important, but I have taken most of my biggest learning moments outside of the DMD classroom. Get involved in Class Council, research, and take every opportunity you can to make great memories with your classmates because the years will fly by!

Why did you decide to pursue a DMD program, and why did you choose to study at UBC's Faculty of Dentistry?

As a dentist, you see patients throughout the entire course of their life, allowing you to build trusting and compassionate relationships through effectively delivering a variety of dental procedures. From eliminating pain to improving aesthetics, a dentist has the privilege and joy of positively transforming a patient’s life through restoring oral health and maintaining a beautiful smile. Dentistry is truly the perfect balance of art and science; daily work exercises both creativity and critical thinking. The latter reasons, combined with the potential for flexibility and independence in my career, have always drawn me towards dentistry. I chose to study at UBC’s Faculty of Dentistry because UBC is known worldwide for its outstanding curriculum and innovative contributions to the field. Studying at UBC also allows me to stay close to home with my family, so it truly is the best of both worlds!

What aspects of your life/career before have best prepared you for the DMD/DH program?

I completed my undergraduate studies in Health Sciences at Simon Fraser University, which allowed me to build a strong foundation in the sciences, as well as develop the work ethic needed to succeed in a program as rigorous as DMD. I was also heavily involved in leadership roles, research initiatives, and volunteerism within many diverse communities during my time at SFU. Both experiences helped me learn how to manage my time effectively and to develop a talent for communicating comfortably and compassionately with diverse populations - all of which are transferrable skills to the dentistry field. Prior to entering the program, I had the privilege of shadowing a dentist for several months, which affirmed my interest in dentistry as a long term career.

What aspect of your DMD program do you enjoy the most or are looking forward to with the most curiosity?

When talking to other students in the DMD program, the one thing that stands out the most is the sense of community we feel when we are here. The faculty, staff, and students are a tight-knit community who are always willing to help whenever someone is in need. During my time as the Academic Representative and Vice President for the 2023 class, and the faculty was always very responsive and accommodating towards any of the concerns or suggestions students had regarding the curriculum, which is always very appreciated. Having just completed 2nd year, we have only had a limited number of patient care sessions, but so far they have been the highlight of my time in the DMD program. I am looking forward to the increased patient care sessions in year 3 and 4, as we can apply the knowledge we have learned in our first two years to actual patients. It will be a challenging, but rewarding, learning curve, ultimately helping us grow as clinicians and learn important patient management skills.

How do you envision your life after school?

Soon after completing dental school, I hope to master the skills of a general dentist by working in private practice, as well as taking continued education courses to broaden my skillset. I have not decided yet whether I want to pursue a specialty or not, but I hope that through the patient care experiences I will have in year 3 and 4 of the program, I will be able to discover if there is a certain branch of dentistry I fall in love with or if I would prefer the route of general dentistry. I have always had an interest in public health and advocacy, so I hope to eventually become involved in governance, policy making, and teaching within the field of dentistry so that I can make a broader impact on the profession and help alleviate the many barriers of access to dentistry that still remain.

What advice do you have for new students?

Practice makes perfect! Don’t be discouraged if your hand skills aren’t where you want them to be at first. Sometimes it’s easy to compare yourself to others, but I promise that with enough practice, you will get there. Dental school is your time to make mistakes and ask questions, so don’t be afraid to do so and make sure to take advantage of all the different learning opportunities you have at your disposal. The curriculum can be challenging at times, but the key is to never give up - as long as you keep doing at it, you will be successful and will achieve your dreams. Most importantly, remember to take breaks, practice self-care, and have fun! Dental school will be over before you know it, so make sure you take the time to build those lifelong friendships! 🙂

Why did you decide to pursue a DMD program, and why did you choose to study at UBC's Faculty of dentistry?

I chose to pursue the field of dentistry because I have always been drawn to the sciences and had aspirations towards a career in a medical-related field. From a young age, I have had a wonderful relationship with both my dental hygienist and family dentist. Understanding my interest in health & wellness, they suggested I consider dentistry as a career path. Based on this recommendation, I began to shadow dentists in the Vancouver area and started to gain an appreciation and interest for the field. Seeing dentistry in action lead me to become excited about general dentistry, different dental specialities, and cosmetic work! The guidance of my dental health care team had such an impact on where I am today - I can truly say it's a field I love and am so excited to continue my education!

UBC was my first choice because I wanted to study and practice in the same city where I was raised. To me Vancouver is home, so it seemed like the perfect fit to apply to the UBC Faculty of Dentistry!

What aspects of your life/career before have best prepared you for the DMD program?

I believe the aspect which best prepared me for the DMD program was volunteering within the community. This was not solely focused on dental-related experiences, but instead on a wide spectrum of activities ranging from serving meals to low-income individuals to children's programs. These experiences have allowed me to form relationships with people from all walks of life. Building these relationships with people in the community who come from all ages and backgrounds has enhanced my ability to listen and observe with compassion and empathy. These are the individuals my classmates and I will be treating upon graduation, so I believe it is of the upmost importance to begin these relationships within the community now!

What aspect of your DMD program do you enjoy the most or are looking forward to with the most curiosity?

Having completed my first year, I look back fondly on the friendships I have made, and the amazing professors I have met! First year would not have been half as exciting and fun without this aspect of the program. My class had to build these relationships mostly online, since COVID-19 prevented us from having classes in person; however, it just goes to show how close you can become with people through this experience! I'm excited for what second year has in store for us!

How do you envision your life after school?

My hope is to continue to live and work in Vancouver, since this is the city I love and call home. I look forward to working in private practice, before considering any additional schooling if I were drawn towards a specialty. Following graduation, I would love to continue to give back to the field in an academic capacity as a clinical instructor, or as a volunteer dentist in a community setting.

What advice do you have for new students?

Balance! In the beginning, school may seem a little overwhelming with the volume of information that is given to you, however, everyone will succeed! It's important to prioritize making friendships and enjoying the full dental school experience. It will make all the difference to enjoy all aspects of being a dental student!

Another piece of advice is that practice does make perfect! When you begin your clinical work, it's important to keep in mind that the goal is to become familiar with the instruments and to develop your hand skills. I know it can be frustrating when a preparation or restoration doesn't go your way, but just know that with time your clinical skills will improve! I was looking back on some of my first preparations and all you can do is have a good laugh! Dentistry is a completely foreign world in the beginning, but just know that you will see exponential growth in your skills!