A good impression

Dental student group shows undergrads the ropes

By Marissa Lyons

Second-year College of Dentistry student Ed Cronauer helps USF sophomore Hetty Hong wax teeth during the 2011 Impressions Program at UF. The program is held every summer to expose undergraduates from underrepresented minorities to dentistry./Photo by Maria Belen Farias

Aspiring dental students were given a glimpse into their possible futures July 15 as participants in the fourth annual Impressions Program, held by UF’s Student National Dental Association, an organization for minority dental students.

“The purpose of the Impressions Program is for college students who are considering dentistry as a future career experience a day in the life of a dental student,” said Abi Adewumi, B.D.S., an assistant professor in the College of Dentistry department of pediatric dentistry and faculty adviser of SNDA.

The all-day event at UF’s College of Dentistry included a tour, mock interviews, a student panel and hands-on activities, such as tooth waxing. The participants also learned about admissions.

The program aims to increase minority representation at the UF College of Dentistry by preparing potential students for the application process.

Sanjie Jackson, a 2007 graduate of the UF College of Dentistry, shared personal experiences and advice with the program participants, reflecting on her dental school days. There are so many important things to know that she didn’t know when she was in their shoes, Jackson said.

“I think it’s my duty to help students on their road to becoming dentists,” Jackson said.

USF senior Sherief Hussein attended to familiarize himself with the UF College of Dentistry, one of his top choices.

“It gave me a sense of what I will be doing after I graduate and am in dental school,” Hussein said.