ASDA Dental Dose Blog

A Message from Claire Tran:

When entering college, it is easy to get overwhelmed by the many things thrown at you as an incoming student. Finding guidance or direction in your career path can also be hard with pressures built up around you. Through the many outlets of shadowing and volunteering within ASDA, I have been able to involve myself so much more in this amazing community. Being in this organization, I wanted to surround myself with others who aspire to be in this field, cultivating stronger bonds and building a family of support as we strive toward our common goal.

In this blog, our current officer team will be answering some questions you may have coming into this organization, about the pre-dental track or our personal experiences within ASDA, with the hope that we can help ease you as you go through your pre-dental journey. I guess you could say that we want to help crown some of your curiosities! There will be times of confusion and difficulty as this field can be challenging, but it is also incredibly fulfilling.

We want to be a part of your support system and let you know that you will be well-prepared through it all.

What advice has someone given you that you have taken with you throughout your pre-dental journey?

Lily Huynh: The best advice someone has given me is definitely to be passionate and enjoy what you do. Do not force yourself to pursue something for the sake of dental school apps or constantly stick your nose in a book. Enjoy the journey and make the most out of experiences. These tips have helped me continue my hobbies and find balance between my life and academics.

Joseph Trapolino: With the advice from Dr. Bar, from Adventure Orthodontics, to enjoy the process, I genuinely believe that having a clear goal or destination in college provides more purpose and a solid foundation, rather than feeling lost and panicking about not knowing what you are doing.

Zenah Khatib: One piece of advice that I have taken with me throughout my pre-dental journey was given to me by a previous ASDA officer. I was discussing my frustration of feeling as if I was 'behind' compared to my peers because I began the pre-dental journey much later in college, which was making me feel not confident in myself. I was told that to remember that everyone's journey is different and that comparison is the thief of joy. It has helped me remember that there is no 'perfect' timeline and that it is okay if your path looks different from the others around you. At the end of the day, we are all working towards one goal, and that goal will one day be accomplished if you put your mind to it; regardless of what it took to get there.

Hanna Tran: Do not compare your journey with others! I know being in a competitive field makes you want to look at all the stats of people applying or those who got in, and I think it is fine in moderation so you get a feel for what everyone is doing. However, comparing yourself to what they are doing will only make you feel worse. I am guilty of it myself but just know that it is okay to do things in your own time. Focus on yourself and do the best you can! Keep up the volunteering and shadowing hours. Everything happens for a reason. Do not be afraid to ask for help or guidance because you never know what advice and opportunities you are going to get.

Mattin Rastgar: Explore other avenues and make sure dentistry is what you want to do.

Claire Tran: I owe it to my family, friends, and the relationships I have built in ASDA that I am where I am today. My family has always told me to make sure I do not discredit myself or downplay my accomplishments, and these are words that I have ingrained in myself. It is so easy to compare what you have done to those around you, but learning to appreciate your efforts and see how far you have come is much more rewarding. Everyone brings something to the table, which adds to what makes us all unique, and we will all get to where we want to be in the end.

Helen Flores Salas: Never believe you cannot reach a goal of yours no matter how big or challenging it may seem. Acquire the right mindset and keep going.

Nima Bahrani: Take it one step at a time! There is a lot to think about when pursuing the pre-dental pathway, but it becomes a lot easier to manage and perform better if you compartmentalize your goals into small wins. Over time, it begins to add up and you will look back at all you have accomplished with pride.

Jamey Duong: Enjoy the journey.

What study habits/tips have you adopted that have helped you through your college courses?

Lily Huynh: My best study tip would be to have a good mindset while studying! Do not be frustrated if you cannot figure it out right away. Look toward studying as a means of improvement and growth!

Joseph Trapolino: Please understand that, in college, your professors will not always teach you everything - you have to take charge of your own learning sometimes. Be aware of the external resources available to you, such as workshops, tutoring sessions, and programs like the Student Enrichment Program (SEP). These can be incredibly valuable for your success (and also YouTube).

Zenah Khatib: One study habit that has genuinely changed the trajectory of my performance in certain classes would be to do a little bit every day. Although many people like to study X amount of days before an exam, it is not always the best strategy, especially for content-heavy classes like organic chemistry, microbiology, and anatomy & physiology. Making sure you review content the day of lecture or weekly leading up to the exam, helps ensure that you are mastering material as you go, and by the time you get to exam week, the majority of your preparation is review!

Hanna Tran: I started off with some really bad habits, but adopting good studying habits is more of a "how well you know yourself" sort of thing. Before I start my work, I like to time block and write down a to-do list of the tasks I want to accomplish during that time. As someone who gets distracted easily, the Pomodoro method works well for me. I usually work for 50 minutes, do a 5-10 minute break, and then repeat. I also like studying with people around me to motivate myself to focus on my work, but if I am alone, a "study with me" Pomodoro method does the trick!

Mattin Rastgar: My entire life is on Google Calendar. Every event, meeting, class, and assignment is scheduled there. This way, I never worry about forgetting things and I can make time for myself, too.

Claire Tran: Having a more positive mindset when you are about to study makes a big difference in how you tackle it! Personally, studying with my friends has helped me expand my learning styles. My main learning style is visual learning, but from studying with them, I have better developed my auditory learning. When studying independently, listening to a calming playlist after allotting a good amount of time to study through scheduling helps me greatly in honing in on my tasks.

Helen Flores Salas: Having an accountable study partner has always helped me make sure I stay on task and get my assignments done. My personal favorite study techniques of mine include using a Pomodoro timer, active recall, and the 5-minute rule.

Nima Bahrani: Study a little bit at a time and be consistent! It is much more beneficial for you to study efficiently by reading your lecture notes after your class and trying to understand concepts rather than trying to understand every single concept all in a couple of days before an exam. A good way to keep yourself accountable for studying daily is to treat it like a game and reward yourself with small breaks in between. For example, implementing the Pomodoro technique by studying a concept for 30 minutes and then taking a break for 5 minutes before coming back to it helps to space out your study time and avoid fatigue.

Jamey Duong: Using the online Anki tool has helped me study and learn more effectively.

What about ASDA made you want to join as a member?

Lily Huynh: I really enjoyed how organized everything was and the ample amount of opportunities ASDA gives you! I also liked how welcoming the ASDA community was and have made a lot of friends since first joining!

Joseph Trapolino: I wanted to join ASDA because of the numerous opportunities it offers for professional development, networking, and advocacy in the dental field. ASDA provides access to valuable resources, workshops, and events that help students stay informed about the latest trends and advancements in dentistry. Additionally, being part of a community of like-minded individuals who are passionate about dentistry fosters collaboration and support, which is essential for both personal and professional growth. Build your family!

Zenah Khatib: ASDA is a very well-organized and structured club that lays out the materials of what is expected and required from you as a pre-dental student. As someone who joined with little to no idea what of what classes, exams, and experiences I needed to take for applications, ASDA served as the perfect guiding light. ASDA provides so many resources and has the answers to virtually any question you could have as a pre-dental student trying to navigate college and make future plans!

Hanna Tran: As a freshman, ASDA stood out to me because it seemed like a fun and professional organization that I could see myself growing with. I stayed for the amazing friends, mentors, and opportunities!

Mattin Rastgar: The ASDA community is the most helpful and genuine one I have met throughout college. Everyone is so encouraging, friendly, and resourceful, and you are constantly surrounded by people who are passionate about the same thing.

Claire Tran: ASDA has so many opportunities laid out for you! The Dental Shadowing Program was what I looked forward to the most because I needed guidance on where to ask to shadow, and this program helped me put my foot through the door. Along with this, there are many volunteer events and community outreaches prepared that are easy to sign up for to gain hours and become more exposed to the dental community while making lifelong friends!

Helen Flores Salas: To me, ASDA has not only provided rich resources such as volunteering, shadowing, and academic/dental advice but has helped me make connections to amazing people in the dental field as well.

Nima Bahrani: The Dental Shadowing Program was an incredible tool for me to be more serious in pursuing the pre-dental pathway and I cannot stress enough how helpful it was for me as a member. This was what originally made me consider joining ASDA in the first place and I am happy to say that joining was worth it!

Jamey Duong: The amazing opportunities they provide with the Dental Shadowing Program, volunteer events, etc.

After joining this organization, which ASDA event has impacted you the most?

Lily Huynh: My favorite ASDA event was definitely TMOM! I really enjoyed volunteering alongside friends, meeting new people, and learning more about dentistry.

Joseph Trapolino: After joining ASDA, the events that have impacted me the most have been the volunteering opportunities, such as helping out at the Houston Food Bank and the chance to volunteer at Healthcare for the Homeless (HHH) in Houston. These experiences go beyond the general meetings; they are the moments that truly bring us together as a community. Through these activities, I have not only made meaningful connections with my peers but also felt a deeper sense of purpose and fulfillment in giving back to the community.

Zenah Khatib: I would definitely say that the event that has made the largest impact on me was TMOM in Marblefalls, TX. This event showed me the direct impact that we as volunteers, and as individuals pursuing dentistry, can have on the health, happiness, and confidence of our community! The sheer scale of TMOM events is something that would leave any individual impressed and amazed. TMOM was such a great reminder that the career we have all chosen to pursue is one that is so fulfilling and life-changing. TMOM also made an impact on me in terms of my experience in ASDA. I met some of my closest friends in TMOM, and the positive shared experiences we had are now memories that will last a lifetime and are moments I look back on to keep me motivated in my journey.

Hanna Tran: In terms of my pre-dental journey, I would say TMOM impacted me the most since there were so many things happening all at once from sterilization and greeting patients, to watching dental students and dentists perform procedures in close proximity with the resources they had. It solidified my love for dentistry. As for the ASDA socials, the karaoke social holds a special place in my heart since it was such a bonding experience with everyone singing, laughing, and having a jolly good time together. I <3 ASDA!

Mattin Rastgar: The general meetings have impacted me the most. Aside from interacting with my peers, they have changed my pre-dental journey entirely. I came into college knowing nothing about getting into dental school, and now I mentor others on their paths. This is solely due to the amazing guest speakers, past officers, and mentors who gave me the wisdom and opportunity to take action.

Claire Tran: I went to my first TMOM in Lumberton last year and it truly was such a rewarding experience. Here, I was able to witness the togetherness that dentistry encapsulates, seeing the form of care and trust that exists between doctors and patients. It was evident how the dentists wanted to help as many people as possible, those people being patients and us pre-dental students. Many of them shared stories of their backgrounds, highlighting how each person’s diverse gifts unify to make a difference. They spent time talking with and encouraging us so we can do the same in the near future.

Helen Flores Salas: ASDA’s volunteering events have led me to the most personal growth I have had in college. Volunteering with ASDA allowed me to grow out of my shell and enjoy the pre-dental journey with new friends I have made along the way.

Nima Bahrani: Texas Mission of Mercy in Lumberton was my first TMOM and I had the pleasure of going with the ASDA 2023-2024 team. I learned all the moving pieces that go into patient care and that event made me build confidence in myself for assisting and helped me network with renowned dentists from across the state. Not to mention, the stories of patients really have a special place in my heart because of how many people in the community we were able to help. Also, shout out to ASDA for bringing an insane amount of people to the event!

Jamey Duong: Texas Mission of Mercy was a very impactful event for me as I was able to see happiness in dentists outside of their practice and how it spread to the patients there.



What made you want to become an officer, and how has it benefited you personally thus far?

Lily Huynh: I wanted to become an officer because I really enjoyed talking to people about being pre-dental and giving advice! Without ASDA, I definitely would have had trouble figuring out what I needed to do as a pre-dental student, so I wanted to pay back and help others find their passions in dentistry as well! So far, being an officer for ASDA has connected me to so many people in the field who share the same passions.

Joseph Trapolino: I wanted to become an officer because I saw it as an opportunity to contribute more actively to the organization and to help shape its direction. Being an officer has allowed me to develop my leadership skills, build stronger relationships with my peers, and gain a deeper understanding of how the organization operates. Personally, it has been incredibly rewarding to see the impact of our collective efforts and to be part of a team that is dedicated to making a difference. The experience has also boosted my confidence and given me valuable connections that will benefit me in my future career.

Zenah Khatib: I would say that previous officer teams played a huge role in my wanting to become an officer myself. They have become such important people to me in the sense that they are now lifelong friends and mentors. These individuals took me on and did everything in their power and abilities to help me navigate any questions, struggles, and roadblocks I faced. They kept me motivated and encouraged me to take advantage of opportunities that this organization provided, which led me to achieve many of my goals. I became an officer to pay it forward to all future members who need guidance the way I did, and I hope to make the same lasting impact on this year's members! Being an officer has helped me tremendously with my confidence and personal skills such as public speaking, which had previously been very challenging for me!

Hanna Tran: The closeness of the officer team and having a supportive group of people who all understand the struggles, yet push each other to be better, encouraged me to pursue an officer position. The mentorship, support, and advice I have received from people with more experience has been extremely valuable to me.

Mattin Rastgar: Last year, the officers made a large impact on me. I joined the club late and I sat down not knowing anyone in the club. I felt anxious, but the officers immediately befriended me and made me feel welcome. Additionally, they guided me throughout the club and gave helpful advice for dental school. Now, I feel knowledgeable enough to provide the same opportunity to other members. I became an officer to help make other members' journeys eventful, but I have also ended up learning a lot about myself. Already, I work better as a team, have learned to be more confident, and am more eager about working alongside such a great team.

Claire Tran: I have met amazing people in ASDA who have played such a large part in my pre-dental journey and I want to be able to be a comfortable and safe outlet for others as well. From everything that this organization encompasses has given me, I wanted to be able to help build atop that and share my knowledge and experiences to those around me as well. Being an officer now, I am still constantly learning and growing, but I have so far been able to develop even more skills of collaboration and build more confidence.

Helen Flores Salas: Becoming an ASDA officer has been a personal goal of mine since my freshman year in college. I wanted to overcome my fear of public speaking and prove to myself that I am capable of overcoming my self-set limitations. Through the process, I have learned to be more brave, hardworking, and appreciative of how much more enjoyable life is without fear controlling my path.

Nima Bahrani: I became an officer because I wanted to improve my knowledge regarding the field of dentistry and I also wanted to offer advice and mentorship to the members just as I was able to receive from previous officer teams. I am grateful to be part of this team (best team of all time by the way) and I owe a lot of my personal growth to this club and pursuing dentistry as a whole.

Jamey Duong: I wanted to grow my character and make a change in ASDA. It has benefitted me personally through learning how to be an overall better person, especially in a teamwork environment.



What other resources have you used or sought out to help guide you along your journey?

Lily Huynh: Joining pre-dental communities on Instagram and GroupMe has been surprisingly helpful! I was able to attend workshops, listen to dental students and dentists speak, and learn about others' pre-dental journeys.

Joseph Trapolino: I find myself in a unique position as a transfer student. At Texas State, I was fortunate to become a Dental Early Acceptance (3+4) Program finalist and even had the opportunity to interview with the faculty at UT San Antonio's dental school. Additionally, I interned with HHH over the summer, where I gained hands-on experience by observing every general dentistry procedure and witnessing some of the most challenging cases a general dentist might encounter. I have also leveraged ASDA to connect with individuals who have participated in the Summer Health Professions Education Program (SHPEP), which has allowed me to learn from their experiences and insights.

Zenah Khatib: Other resources I have sought out and used would definitely be the Mentor/Mentee Program and Family Program at ASDA. Having the avenues to create personal relationships and friendships with people who are going through the same experience as you will make all the difference in your journey as a pre-dental student. Never underestimate the importance and impact that making connections will have on your future. A sense of community is one of the most important aspects of your experience in college and in our future profession. It is a never-ending gift that will continuously help you and surprise you in ways that you cannot begin to imagine!

Hanna Tran: Dental influencers and upperclassmen who have been through this have great advice on the classes you should take, as well as how to prepare for the DAT. Especially upperclassmen, since they went to the same school and have gone through the same things you have and will, so they understand the ins and outs, being able to help you more easily. Also, take everything with a grain of salt and do what you think will benefit you. For volunteering, I look up "Houston volunteering" online and so many events will pop up. I find Reddit to be pretty helpful too.

Mattin Rastgar: Just talking to other people is the best thing you can do for yourself. Learn what others are doing, pick their brains, and make it a habit to share tips with each other. We are all on the same team and are helping each other grow. Other than that, get at least one mentor, talk to your pre-dental advisor, and go to a bunch of dental school events. The most important part is not being afraid to put yourself out there.

Claire Tran: Not being afraid to ask questions to those around me has helped guide me along my pre-dental journey. I became part of the Mentor/Mentee Program and Family Program through ASDA to create more connections and friendships. The support and guidance of those around you go a long way and can truly help you in your goals toward your success.

Helen Flores Salas: The NSM Mentor/Mentee Program has provided me structure in managing my way through college, and has also given me the opportunity to help others as a mentor as well.

Nima Bahrani: The Dental Connections Network (DCN) and just networking with dentists and like-minded individuals outside of ASDA, in general, compounded the benefits of being in the club for me.

Jamey Duong: Other pre-dental students and my mentors have greatly guided me along my journey.



Written by the American Student Dental Association Pre-Dental Chapter officer team at the University of Houston

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