Vying for online influence is an extraordinarily competitive pursuit. These eight dental students rise above with an appealing mix of authenticity, relatability and burgeoning clinical knowledge.
BY ALANAH SIMENKIEWICZ
Kylie Carganilla
Fourth-year, Oregon Health & Sciences University School of Dentistry
Content: “Dental lifestyle.”
“My content fills a niche at the intersection of dental school lifestyle, education and representation.
I share the day-to-day reality of being a dental student—both the challenges and the fun—while offering guidance on the application process. I’m a female Filipino-American, and there aren’t many people in dentistry who share my background. Also, my school isn’t commonly featured on social media, so people are often curious about how my experience compares to theirs. I used to be more focused on static tips and advice, but my content has evolved into something more personal and visual—daily vlogs, reels and YouTube videos. That shift has helped me build deeper connections with my audience, and I love this niche because it lets me create content that’s informative and encouraging, while also helping others feel seen.”
@kyliecargz (5,057 followers)
@kyliecargz (795 SUBSCRIBERS)
@kyliecargz (248 followers)
Sarah Hsu
Second-year, Dental College of Georgia
Content: “Mini-vlogs about daily life as a dental student.”
“My goal is to share the fun, artistic side of dental school. Additionally, I enjoy sharing my life outside school for my friends and family, because life is more than just grades, and I want my social media to be a fun way for me to look back at how far I’ve come. What truly motivates me and makes me excited to create content tailored to dental students is getting messages from predental students, because I was once in their shoes. Starting out, I had little guidance. I reached out to a dental student from NYU who was creating videos about her experiences, and she was so kind to me, even offering to do a mock interview with me the weekend before my first interview at DCG. Social media has given me the community I so longed for, and now it’s my turn to do the same.”
@hsuperstardentist (6,689 followers)
Sasha Iraniha
Fourth-year, University of Southern California Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry
Content: “Primarily day-in-the-life content that blends clinical insight and education, the student experience and wellness.”
“I highlight the balance of being a dedicated dental student while still living a full and vibrant life—combining moments of studying, clinical work and personal wellness with the fun parts of life like fashion, fitness and social time. When I first began creating content, I focused mostly on academics—sharing study routines, educational content and the path to becoming a dentist. Over time, I began including more lifestyle, and this shift helped me connect more deeply with my audience. What excites me most about this niche is being able to show people—especially other students or aspiring health care professionals—that it’s possible to chase a demanding career while still nurturing your passions and individuality.”
@urlocaltoothfairyy (111,900 followers)
@urlocaltoothfairyy (62,700 followers)
Madina Malik
Fourth-year, Columbia University College of Dental Medicine
Content: “Oral health education, with some lifestyle and inspirational content sprinkled in.”
“What makes my content stand out is evidence-backed advice, rather than just selling dental products that have no research supporting their efficacy. My first oral health video that took off was about the dangers of trusting online misinformation, and it revealed just how much bad information is out there. Many people noted that I was able to break down these complex topics in a way that allowed them to better understand their dental care needs. This prompted my many series on sharing oral health tips, dispelling misinformation and simplifying dental discussions. It’s extremely gratifying to hear from so many that my advice has helped them in some way.”
@smilespending (28,000 followers)
@SmilesPending (2,200 SUBSCRIBERS)
@smilespending (1,294 followers)
Bonsa Nemera
Fourth-year, University of Maryland School of Dentistry
Content: “I explore the intersection of dentistry, creative storytelling and self-driven innovation.”
“I’d call my niche ‘aspirational realism’ for the next-gen dental professionals who want more than just letters after their name, because this version of dentistry—where you’re not just prepping teeth and studying anatomy but also designing a future around your values—isn’t talked about enough. I’ve always been inspired by founder stories, and that mindset pushed me to start documenting the building of my own dental product company—breaking down the startup process, blending personal struggles into professional insights. Content has become a tool for me to reimagine dentistry through my lens, and I love storytelling as a way to ask bigger questions and help others do the same. That’s what makes my content stand out; it’s less about what happened and more about why it matters.”
@bonsanemera (5,640 followers)
@bonsanemera (3,201 followers)
@bonsanemera (1,280 SUBSCRIBERS)
Simon Park
Third-year, University of Detroit Mercy School of Dentistry
Content: “Documenting the highs and lows of dental school, adding a bit of glam and humor along the way.”
“My niche is documenting dental school in a way that’s aspirational, lighthearted and real. I’m open about the struggles, but I also try to highlight that even the tough moments have meaning. Over time, I realized people were connecting with the more honest moments, and my content shifted to reflect more of the school experience through moments of challenge, gratitude and personal mission. Dental school isn’t easy, but documenting the experience reminds me why I started in the first place. My purpose is to become a provider who serves underserved communities. That mission shapes not only my work in the clinic, but the stories I share online; I’m sharing with the hope that it not only resonates but encourages future providers, especially those who want to serve communities that need it most.”
@simonpark.dds_ (24,400 followers)
I’m sharing with the hope that it not only resonates but encourages future providers, especially those who want to serve communities that need it most.”
Emily Barcenas Perez
Fourth-year, University of Southern California Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry
Content: “Dental humor, work/life balance, the first-generation experience.”
“What makes my content stand out is how I genuinely love documenting the ups and downs of my experiences—whether
that’s grinding through study sessions all week or adding a little humor to the everyday struggles we all face in sim lab or clinic. I’m also passionate about representing the Hispanic community in dentistry and inspiring other first-gen students to become the first doctors in their families. My niche has always been focused on anyone in the field of dentistry, but over the years I’ve had the chance to connect with students from fields such as pharmacy, medicine and even optometry. It’s so dope to interact with different disciplines, because in a sense we’re all part of the same team, and it’s amazing how a simple video can bring us together and remind us we’re not alone.”
@toothychica (3,924 followers)
@toothychica_ (2,402 followers)
Alexandra Sehne
Fourth-year dual-degree, the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine’s DMD, MPH program
Content: “Advocacy within dentistry, dental health education and student life.”
“Dentistry is a niche space online, but I’ve carved out room for advocacy and accessibility within that. I created my account to document dental school, but once I attended my first ADA Dentist and Dental Student Lobby Day, something clicked:
My background in public health met this new passion for advocacy. Not many dental students or dentists are deeply involved in public health, and it’s important to show that there are diverse paths that are about so much more than procedures or profits. My content stands out because it’s relatable and rooted in the belief that dentists can be change makers. Knowing that it can inspire someone, whether encouraging them to apply to dental school, speak up for a cause they believe in or just take better care of their oral health, means everything to me.”
@determineddentalstudent (4,375 followers)
@determineddentalstudent (2,092 followers)
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