Vanessa Shinwen, DDS ’24, had an excellent experience as a dental hygiene student at the University of Minnesota, which prepared her well for her first career.
“My employers were impressed by my skill set right after graduation,” she said. So when she decided to pursue her dental degree, the school made perfect sense. “I knew I would get just as good of an education as a dentist.”
In addition to the excellent education Shinwen has received in the classroom, she has been impacted greatly by community outreach experiences.
“Despite the availability of dental offices in a given location, a percentage of the population still face limited access to care,” she explained. “This could be because of insurance, transportation, work hours or limited dental literacy. Community outreach helps bridge this gap and makes a big difference in improving the quality of life of those individuals.”
Shinwen counts her experiences on Outreach as one of the best parts of her dental school experience. In fact, they have had such an impact on her that they will inform what she does after graduation.
“I hope to work at a community health center, serving those in need,” she said. “Outreach experiences have exposed me to communities in need, and given me an idea of what it would be like to work at a community clinic.”
Shinwen also appreciates the school’s commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion and the diversity of the school. “In our careers, we will encounter people from different backgrounds, cultures and upbringings,” she said. “It is important to provide culturally sensitive care and connect with individuals who are different for us. It is also important for everyone to feel represented where they seek care—so having diversity of providers is key.”
INVOLVEMENT
Member, American Student Dental Association
Member, Perio Club
Student Ambassador
HOMETOWN
Bamenda, Cameroon