Our annual look at some of today’s leading scholar-influencers: tearing it up in dental school by day, posting straight knowledge for their eager public to devour by night.
By Alanah Simenkiewicz
Jenny Chin
Incoming D4, Arizona School of Dentistry & Oral Health
@gingivitis.jenny (1,689 FOLLOWERS)
What you’ll find: Dental student lifestyle and wellness.
How my social platform has meshed with dental school: It has enhanced my experience, as it’s a channel for me to document and share the highs and lows of my didactic and clinical journey—without any HIPAA violations, of course. My platform has been extremely gratifying, and I’ve gained a lifelong community of dental friends and colleagues.
My main message: I want to demystify certain aspects of my education and serve as the resource I wish I had as a predental student. I started this account to record my dental school memories for my own sake, but realized that sharing it with others, especially predental students, has helped them with their own dental journeys.
Book I could read again and again: Flowers for Algernon (Daniel Keyes, 1966).
Paola Felix Cuamea
Incoming D3, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center El Paso—Woody L. Hunt School of Medicine
@paolainloupes (4,020 FOLLOWERS)
@paolainloupes (554 FOLLOWERS)
What you’ll find: “Day in the life” vlogs, as well as specific clinical procedures and concepts I’m learning.
How my social platform has meshed with dental school: Creating content has become a creative outlet to help me de-stress, as well as a way to build a supportive community with other students where we can share encouragement, guidance and advice.
My main message: To remind students that whatever they set their minds to is possible. As a first-generation Latina who didn’t know anyone in the field, I had to seek out representation. Watching YouTube videos of dental students had a profound impact on me; I even found my mentor through TikTok. I hope to be that same source of encouragement for someone else.
Musician I’d spend big money to see live: Although I’ve already seen him five times, Bad Bunny is always fun.
Donya Kaveh
Incoming D3, USC Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry
@dentaldonya (7,328 FOLLOWERS)
@dentaldonya (1,069 FOLLOWERS)
What you’ll find: Lifestyle content.
How my social platform has meshed with dental school: It has connected me with an incredible community of amazing providers who are united by a goal to maximize patient care while supporting one another in a field that can get very lonely.
My main message: So much of the fear surrounding dentistry isn’t rooted in fear of painful treatments—it’s the fear of not being able to trust your provider, of being recommended unnecessary treatments and of being let down by professionals. My goal is to show my passion and my day-to-day life so my viewers can see good examples of dentists working incredibly hard, and trust us to comfortably and honestly provide for them.
Something people don’t know: I was born and raised in Iran, and I used to ski competitively.
Sebastian Momdjian
Incoming D3, Western University of Health Sciences—College of Dental Medicine
@smilewithseb (18,400 FOLLOWERS)
@smilewithseb (2,380 SUBSCRIBERS)
@smilewithseb (1,226 FOLLOWERS)
What you’ll find: Student lifestyle, advice and school-related humor.
How my social platform has meshed with dental school: Once I started school, I felt a strong urge to create content that felt meaningful and purposeful. I share the hands-on experiences that shape our training, and it has been especially fulfilling to meet predental students who have told me how much my videos have helped them.
My main message: More than anything, my goal is to encourage aspiring dental students while offering an authentic look into what dental school is really like and helping people better understand the profession. I love being able to show both students and the broader community the rigor, growth and excitement of dental education.
Musician I’d spend big money to see live: Frank Sinatra.
Melanie Rizkalla
Incoming D3, USC Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry
@melanieriz (1.2 MILLION FOLLOWERS)
@melanieriz (678,000 FOLLOWERS)
What you’ll find: Lifestyle wellness content packaged with a focus on
relatable routines.
How my social platform has meshed with dental school: Creating dental content gives me something to look forward to beyond just studying and clinic, while also holding me accountable in the best way—because when you’re documenting your journey, you naturally show up with more intention. Plus, now I have a digital archive of memories throughout dental school that I can always look back on and see just how far I’ve come.
My main message: I’m passionate about emphasizing balance, because
I want to challenge the narrative that succeeding in dentistry means sacrificing everything. I hope my content helps shift the perception of dentistry into something that feels both inspiring and attainable. I also feel a responsibility as a woman in this field to show that we belong here, we thrive here and we can do it while still being fully ourselves.
Something people don’t know: I turn my kitchen into a cookie factory at any given opportunity.
Suki Silwal
D4, Indiana University School of Dentistry
@smilewithsuki (6,443 FOLLOWERS)
@smilewithsuki (2,675 FOLLOWERS)
What you’ll find: Lifestyle, educational and motivational content for students interested in health care.
How my social platform has meshed with dental school: It has made my dental school journey more meaningful because it has pushed me to stay motivated, allowed me to reflect on how much I’m learning and growing, and connected me with other dental students from all over the country.
My main message: Dental school is not just about studying; it’s about friendships, patient interactions, personal growth and becoming the kind of dentist who truly cares about people. Dentistry is challenging but also incredibly rewarding, and it’s possible to work hard, have a life outside of school and still enjoy the journey.
Musician I’d spend big money to see live: Justin Bieber—I’ve been a Belieber since I was 16.
Gabrielle Tomeo
D4, LECOM School of Dental Medicine
@teethbytomeo_ (19,500 FOLLOWERS)
What you’ll find: Content with a balance between professionalism and personality.
How my social platform has meshed with dental school: After my D2 year, which is notoriously the most challenging year of dental school, I was feeling burned out. Whenever things felt repetitive or overwhelming, creating content allowed me to bring energy and creativity back into my day.
My main message: I hope to challenge the [notion] that doctors have to look, act and present themselves a certain way, and help redefine what it means to be a professional. When someone visits my page, I hope they see someone who is both passionate and knowledgeable about her career but also authentic, expressive and unapologetically herself.
Something people don’t know: I grew up playing competitive golf and got a full scholarship to the University of Wisconsin–Madison to play D1 at the collegiate level.
Isabella Trinh
Incoming D4, the University of Texas at Houston School of Dentistry
@_isabellatrinh_ (50,900 FOLLOWERS)
@isabellatrinhdds (1,855 FOLLOWERS)
What you’ll find: Lifestyle content that shows you can have a work-life balance even in dental school.
How my social platform has meshed with dental school: Back in my predental days, when I was a nontraditional student commuting during the pandemic, vlogging became my way to feel connected to a journey that sometimes felt isolating. Content creation keeps me grounded; it reminds me that this chapter is temporary, and worth fully embracing. Life moves fast, and making content helps me slow down, reflect and celebrate the little wins along the way.
My main message: I was the first in my family to earn a bachelor’s degree. I didn’t have someone to guide me; I learned everything firsthand. Because of that, I’m passionate about being a role model for anyone who wants to pursue this path. If I can figure it out, they can too.
My daily brush: Sensodyne Pronamel in the morning, and a prescription-strength fluoride toothpaste at night. I’m caries-prone, so having a strong preventive routine is essential.
Heydi Vanegas
Incoming D4, Texas A&M College of Dentistry
@heydivanegas (10,600 FOLLOWERS)
@heydi.dental (5,105 FOLLOWERS)
What you’ll find: Dental school lifestyle as a girl living in the city.
How my social platform has meshed with dental school: Making content has truly kept me afloat, as it almost romanticizes my day-to-day life, no matter how stressful the day actually was. I use it almost like a mini time capsule. I’ve also really enjoyed connecting with students from other schools, and it has been a way for me to help predental students with personal tips and guidance.
My main message: As a first-gen student, I want to highlight the importance of trusting yourself and the process, no matter how hard things get. Things won’t always be easy, and dental school can be tough, but trusting that you are more than capable of doing what you set your mind to is key.
Dream job other than dentistry: Interior designer. If I’m not spending on scrubs, I’m spending on home decor.
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