Category Archives: Dental Students

What Black History Month means to me

February is Black History Month. During this time, the U.S. honors the contributions and struggles of African Americans throughout history. In recognition of Black History Month, Ms. Adediran participated in a Q&A for the New Dentist blog. Below are her responses. Q: Why do you want to become a dentist? A: As a first-generation college student from a… Read More »

Patient autonomy vs. patient-pleasing as a new dentist

The day we obtain our dental license, our role changes from student to doctor. After a lifetime of being told what to do by “grown-ups,” teachers and professors, the roles reverse. It can be challenging when confronted by patients asking us to do things we are not comfortable with doing, especially if we want to please our patients.… Read More »

My journey from Mexico to dental school

Gabriel Perez is currently a fourth-year dental student at the Tufts University School of Dental Medicine in Boston and Hispanic Dental Association trustee. He is originally from a small rural town in the state of Oaxaca, Mexico. Mr. Perez and his family migrated to New Jersey at the age of 11. He earned his bachelor’s degree in biology… Read More »

Why I decided to pursue dentistry, Part 3

It’s September, which means that many, if not most, dental schools are back in session, teaching, training and preparing the next generation of dentists. ADA News asked Danielle Silver, The University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine, Class of 2023 why she decided to pursue dentistry. “I have always wanted to be a dentist because I love working… Read More »

Why I decided to pursue dentistry, Part 1

It’s that time of year again, which means that many, if not most, dental schools are back in session, teaching, training and preparing the next generation of dentists. ADA News asked John Pelton, class of 2023 of the NYU College of Dentistry, why he decided to pursue dentistry. “My decision to pursue a career in dentistry has been… Read More »

50 Years: Former student leaders offer insight, lessons learned in retrospective series

In February 1970, a group of dental students met in Chicago to form an independent national dental student organization and named themselves the Student American Dental Association (SADA). The following year the ADA embraced this idea and organized a meeting of student representatives from each dental school in the country to help form a new organization called the… Read More »