Many are not as lucky as I am to be able to say that their entire career was decided by a glittery tooth, but mine was. I was at probate for my pre-dental roommate, holding a poster for her when a woman marched towards me, asking If I was a dentist. After explaining that I wasn’t , nor was I pre-dental, she urged me to strongly consider looking into dentistry as a career path. She spoke about her journey and told me, “You need to do this”. I thought the encounter was strange but her words resonated with me, and three years later, I find myself entering my second year of dental school, more certain than ever that this is my dream career. In this way, I like to believe that dentistry chose me before I even knew it. One of the key influences in my decision to pursue dentistry was shadowing Dr. Young, a Black, female dentist. She not only impressed me with her education and passion but also with her genuine kindness and ability to connect with her patients on a personal level. Seeing her patients at ease and enjoying their dental visits was a revelation for me, making me realize that dentistry was the path I wanted to follow. My first job in the dental field was as a patient and insurance coordinator, which altered my perspective on what it means to advocate for and serve a community. Working in a rural dental office serving pediatric patients with government-funded insurance exposed me to the challenges faced by underserved communities. Witnessing cases of severe dental trauma due to a lack of dental education and coverage underscored the urgent need for accessible dental care. I remember being on long calls with insurance companies advocating for patients and finding ways to maximize their benefits, but nothing compares to the heartbreak of that not being enough for treatment. Fortunately, Dr. Somefun would always devise a plan for those with financial restraints, but not all offices are always capable of doing the same. I strongly believe that dental care should be a fundamental human right. Unfortunately, not everyone has equal access to quality dental services, and socioeconomic disparities often reflect in oral health. Dentistry, for me, represents a means of providing second chances to individuals, regardless of their financial status. I am passionate about leveling the playing field and ensuring that everyone has access to dental care, which not only enhances oral and overall health but also boosts self-esteem. My journey into dentistry has been guided by unexpected encounters, inspirational mentors, and a desire to serve communities in need. This career path has chosen me, and I am committed to making a difference in the lives of patients, particularly those in underserved areas. Dental care should not be a privilege but a right, and I am determined to contribute to making it accessible to all, providing second chances and empowering individuals to lead healthier, happier lives with a confident smile.

“You are so tenacious!” My mother told me over the phone when I gave her the news that I had been accepted into my dream school, Howard University. This moment is imprinted in my memory because just a few weeks prior, I had received a rejection letter from this same school. I grew up in a small town, where not many people leave and the city is engulfed in violence. My highschool’s administration made a strong effort to get kids to enroll into the military as a safe option. I remember telling my advisor that I wanted to attend Howard, and to my dismay, he looked at me with contempt saying that I should consider someplace else, as Howard is difficult to get into and I’d be wasting my time. I was confused by his response, especially given that I was excelling academically and even accumulated college credits while still in highschool. Ignoring his discouragement, I applied anyway as I felt confident. Months passed and other kids were receiving acceptance offers and planning their next steps, while I hadn’t heard back from my dream school. After reaching out, they could only tell me that they were still reviewing applicants and to continue waiting. More time passed and senior year would soon be over, when I finally received an email from Howard! My heart was racing and I thought this was the moment I had been waiting for. I still remember opening it and feeling my stomach turn when I saw that I was rejected. This had been the only school I had applied to. I was inconsolable as my best friends attempted to comfort me. I felt defeated and embarrassed! I did everything right, just to not get accepted into college. I had a 3.8 GPA, college credits, held a position on student council, accumulated volunteer hours and served as cheer captain that year. After a few days of wracking my brain trying to figure out where I went wrong, I came up with one last idea. With a new-found determination, I spent the week drafting an email to the admissions office and the president of the university, explaining why I was an ideal candidate for admissions and how my values and work ethic aligned with those of the school. I referred to my accomplishments and how I knew that I belonged there. I had never advocated for myself on such a large scale, and hoped to finally receive some clarity for my rejection. I knew it was a chance in the dark, but it wouldn’t hurt to try. A week later, I received a call from a 202 area code. My stomach dropped as I answered the phone. “Is this Lauren Thomas?” the woman on the line asked. “Yes, it is. How are you?” I nervously replied. She told me that Howard received my letter and was impressed with my self-advocacy. She offered me a spot right away. I could not believe what was unfolding before me. She told me that they were unable to process my application because my highschool never sent over my transcript even though I had constantly reminded them to. The weight of the world was lifted off of my shoulders. I was still in disbelief until they sent me my acceptance package. When my mom used the word “tenacious” to describe my efforts, I had never heard that word before. Now, whenever I am asked to describe myself, it is one of the first things I tell anyone. This experience shaped me to push through the greatest setbacks without wavering.

“You are so tenacious!” My mother told me over the phone when I gave her the news that I had been accepted into my dream school, Howard University. This moment is imprinted in my memory because just a few weeks prior, I had received a rejection letter from this same school. I grew up in a small town, where not many people leave and the city is engulfed in violence. My school’s administration made a strong effort to get kids to enroll in the military as a safe option. I remember telling my advisor that I wanted to attend Howard, and to my dismay, he looked at me with contempt saying that I should consider someplace else, as Howard is difficult to get into and I’d be wasting my time. I was confused by his response, especially given that I was excelling academically and even accumulated college credits while still in high school. Ignoring his discouragement, I applied anyway as I felt confident. Months passed and other kids were receiving acceptance offers and planning their next steps, while I hadn’t heard back from my dream school. After reaching out, they could only tell me that they were still reviewing applicants and to continue waiting. More time passed and senior year would soon be over when I finally received an email from Howard! My heart was racing and I thought this was the moment I had been waiting for. I still remember opening it and feeling my stomach turn when I saw that I was rejected. This had been the only school I had applied to. I was inconsolable as my best friends attempted to comfort me. I felt defeated and embarrassed! I did everything right, just to not get accepted into college. I had a 3.8 GPA, college credits, held a position on student council, accumulated volunteer hours and served as cheer captain that year. After a few days of wracking my brain trying to figure out where I went wrong, I came up with one last idea. With a new-found determination, I spent the week drafting an email to the admissions office and the president of the university, explaining why I was an ideal candidate for admissions and how my values and work ethic aligned with those of the school. I referred to my accomplishments and how I knew that I belonged there. I had never advocated for myself on such a large scale and hoped to finally receive some clarity for my rejection. I knew it was a chance in the dark, but it wouldn’t hurt to try. A week later, I received a call from a 202 area code. My stomach dropped as I answered the phone. “Is this Lauren Thomas?” the woman on the line asked. “Yes, it is. How are you?” I nervously replied. She told me that Howard received my letter and was impressed with my self-advocacy. She offered me a spot right away. I could not believe what was unfolding before me. She told me that they were unable to process my application because my highschool never sent over my transcript even though I had constantly reminded them to. The weight of the world was lifted off of my shoulders. I was still in disbelief until they sent me my acceptance package. When my mom used the word “tenacious” to describe my efforts, I had never heard that word before. Now, whenever I am asked to describe myself, it is one of the first things I tell anyone. This experience shaped me to push through the greatest setbacks without wavering. This is perseverance.

What does Dentistry mean to you? I'm sure we can all agree that quality dental care should be a natural human right. Unfortunately, proper dental care is not accessible to all people. I was able to witness his firsthand while working in dental insurance and helping people try to get the best out of their policies. In a perfect world, everyone would have access to affordable care; However, that isn't yet the case. To me, dentistry signifies prevention and second chances. Dentistry provides patients with the opportunity to prevent disease, increase overall health, and to look and feel their absolute best. It is no secret that individuals are often treated differently due to status and class. Many times, one's financial status can be shown by their teeth. I believe that everyone deserves a chance to be treated fairly and to feel good about how they present themselves. Dentistry is a tool to level the playing field for people of all backgrounds as it can enhance one's oral and overall health as well as their self-esteem. Why did you choose the profession of Dentistry? Specifically, I love that dentistry is a blend of art and science. I knew that when deciding on a career, I didn’t want to compromise my personal creativity and the opportunity to have interactions with patients that build trust, resulting in lifelong oral health and aesthetic maintenance. Something I’m devoted to is finding beauty in everyday life. I have been doing this through my hobbies, including videography, crotchet, and being a hairstylist. Being that I have held these interests for years, I have developed an eye for beauty, a creative mind, and a heightened amount of manual dexterity. Dentistry is the only profession I’ve shadowed that encompasses both my creative and scientific interests, which is how I knew that I could have this career for a lifetime. What would you bring to the field? As black women, we make up about 3% of all dentists nationally. By entering the field of dentistry, I am doing my due diligence to increase that number and positively impact other young black girls to know that they too are capable. I believe my personal attributes will also allow me to be an exceptional provider. I am goal-driven, detail-oriented, and a true team player. I believe in putting my best foot forward at all times and thrive in social environments. I enjoy making everyone feel welcomed and I do not tire from crafting every detail in order to deliver above and beyond what is asked of me. I genuinely want happy and healthy patients, and to cultivate a community of well educated patients regarding oral health! What are your strengths and weaknesses and how are you planning on using them to matriculate the rigors of dental school? The road to getting accepted into dental school was nothing short of challenging, but I wouldn't have changed my journey because it allowed me to know myself better as a student by identifying my strengths and weaknesses. I believe that my greatest strength is my tenacity and endurance. I know that I am not easily discouraged and will try something new every time I fail. This will be of aid to me in dental school because I know it will not be easy and I will have to find ways to keep myself motivated. I learned that my weaknesses are self doubt and comparison. In order to work on these challenges and help my dental school matriculation, I have decided to strengthen my confidence by reflecting on all of my hard work that was successful up to this point because doubt cannot argue against facts. Regarding comparison, instead of worrying about what I do not have, I have begun using a collaborative mindset which has helped me create a supportive community within my entering class. We all help each other and these relationships have been truly beautiful so far! How would this scholarship help you reach your goal of becoming a Dentist? My father grew up poor, in a small city outside of Lynchburg, Virginia. He was raised by a widowed mom but recollects no childhood memories of any struggle. He told me that this was because his family knew how to do "a lot with a little". Although he is not in the same situation now, he still carries these lessons and has instilled in me the value of a dollar, how to use it wisely, and to invest in myself. This January, I got accepted into Howard University College of Dentistry Class of 2026! If I was awarded this scholarship, it would be extremely special as I have never won a scholarship before. It would set the tone for my dental school experience because I pushed myself to finish undergrad in 3 years due to financial restraints. I'd use the scholarship funds towards tuition and basic housing. It would be most important to me to ensure that I have a safe environment to rest at night, especially after long hours in classes. By having extra funds I would put myself ahead on any monthly payments so that I can focus on school without being concerned about how I will make ends meet. This opportunity would be extraordinarily encouraging to receive and would be a massive help in achieving my goal of becoming a Dentist! How does your personal code of ethics align with those of Dentistry? According to the American Dental Association, the dental code of ethics are patient autonomy, nonmaleficence, beneficence, justice and veracity. Patient autonomy is allowing the patient to make their own decisions about their healthcare regardless of your professional opinion. Beneficence is providing the absolute best care you possibly can. Nonmaleficence is the obligation not to inflict harm onto others. Justice and veracity are treating everyone with equal respect with no biases. I was raised to always show the same respect that I would show to a CEO to a janitor because they are both worthy of dignified, quality treatment. I believe in integrity, doing what I say I will do, and helping people achieve their own personal goals even if they differ from my own. I truly believe that the only way to provide high quality care is to lead with no biases and to evaluate each situation individually to ensure that the patient is in agreeance and satisfied with their treatment plan and results. What does leadership mean to you? Leadership, to me, means that you do what is right selflessly even when no one is looking. Leadership is integrity. Despite the dental office being a team, dentists often work alone. It is up to them to continue to do what is right, ethical, and in alignment with their patient's autonomous desires. A dentist is not only a health care provider but an educator and a leader in their office and community. The dental team must rely on the Dentist to make the executive decisions for the practice, therefore, they must keep each member's best interest in mind; And most importantly, the well-being of their patients. Leadership is the way you impact others and the impressions that you leave with them that will inspire them to be their best.

I remember the feeling of being lost and not knowing where to start or what to do when I got to college. Being 17 years old and hours away from home, it was challenging and scary to find a path that was right for me. I went 2.5 years bouncing from ideas of what I thought I wanted to do without any of them sticking, and I was beginning to panic because I would be graduating the next year with no idea what I wanted to do as a career. I ended up speaking to my academic advisor who put me in contact with my very first mentor. She was a cosmetic dentist in my hometown who agreed to allow me to shadow her for the day. Although I was apprehensive at first, this was the day that changed my trajectory forever. She took me with he to see all of her patients, gave me meaningful advice, and It felt amazing to hear from someone who was once in my shoes. By the end of the day, I knew that dentistry was the right career for me. Mentorship is easily one of the greatest acts of service because you are assisting someone else in discovering their full potential and actualizing it in real-time. Without my mentors, I would have never considered Dentistry. They impacted me to mentor other young girls from my high school who aspire to have careers in health care. I hope through my mentorship, I can inspire and uplift my mentees by helping them find themselves and prepare for their chosen careers early on so they don't have to endure the stress I went through before my mentors extended their arms to me. I hope to inspire a chain reaction of mentorship and service.

Many are not as lucky as I am to be able to say that their entire career was decided by a glittery tooth, but mine was. I was at a sorority probate for my pre-dental roommate, holding a poster for her when a woman marches towards me, asking If I was a dentist. After explaining that I was not, nor was I pre-dental, she urged me to strongly consider looking into dentistry as a career path. After speaking about her journey and her practice, she told me, “You need to do this”. Initially, I thought the encounter was strange, however, her words never left me. Two years later, I have been accepted into Howard University College of Dentistry, more sure than ever that I have found my dream career. In this way, I like to believe that dentistry chose me before I even knew it. Since pursuing my pre-dental journey, I have not allowed any situation to cause me to stray from my goal. I have had my fair share of challenges, specifically with my Dental Admission Exam. In the summer of 2020, I began studying amidst the pandemic and working. Unfortunately, the month before my exam, my high-risk mother contracted COVID-19 and I became her primary caretaker. Health is vital and my mother means the world to me, so I had to make the decision to put my studying on hold, push my exam back, and take care of her. Exhausted and overwhelmed, I found that I didn’t perform the way I had expected to the first time. I was devastated, but I took it again. I took it once more, each time, telling myself that this will be worth every hard day and every sleepless night, and that is what pushed me to persevere. Most pre-dental students do not take the Dental Admission Exam three times, nor pay their own tuition and fees while working, but there is an endurance that we find within ourselves when we know that what we are pursuing is meant for us. Since then, I have kept myself busy with volunteer work in Hospice, continuing shadowing, working at a dental practice, gaining knowledge through Dentistry related courses, and have gained certification in Dental Radiation. I believe one of my best and most valuable attributes is my tenacity and perseverance. This life lesson has awakened such passion and determination inside of me that I know will only be of assistance to not only myself but to the future patients, I will care for. Although my path has not been easy, I feel called to pursue dentistry wholeheartedly. I am grateful for every experience that has set my path, and I realize the stranger I met was right, I need to do this.