Alexi Wenzel is a world traveler, a music fan, a dedicated clinician, and a proud gopher. After graduating with her Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene, she knew continuing her education with a DDS from the University of Minnesota was the right decision for her. “As a Dental Hygiene student, I had the opportunity to interact with dental students and faculty during my education,” she explained.
That team-based, interprofessional education is something Wenzel has continued to see in her time as a dental student. “I think it is really cool when students are able to learn from each other and figure out how to best serve our future patients,” she said.
And providing excellent patient care is nothing new for Wenzel. In fact, it stands out as one of her favorite facets of a University of Minnesota education.
“From our first day in dental courses, we are primed for clinical excellence,” Wenzel explained. “Faculty work to ensure students understand proper anatomy, material choice, and ideal restoration type prior to seeing patients in the clinics. Even more importantly, students are taught how to develop relationships with our patients.”
Wenzel is proud of the way she and her fellow students “allow patients to make informed decisions about their dental treatment.” In fact, she recalled patients who have sought dental care at the School of Dentistry for over forty years because of the quality of care and they have received and the relationships they formed.
That same quality of care followed Wenzel on her Outreach experience, another highlight of her dental studies. “Community outreach helps bridge what I learned about oral health disparities in class with actual patient cases,” she explained. “The Senior Outreach Experience has helped broaden my perception of the disparities present throughout Minnesota, and has allowed me to see first-hand how my skills as a provider and patient educator can benefit communities.”
Wenzel is proud of her excellent, rigorous education--but what makes her proudest is the way she makes her patients feel. “A patient recently asked me if I could continue as their provider after I graduate. It continues to astonish me that I have already gained such a high level of trust and respect from my patients. This helped remind me that I chose the right career path, and hopefully have a bright future ahead of me.”
involvement
Dental Student Representative, School of Dentistry Alumni Society and Dental Hygiene Mentorship subcommittee
Member, American Academy of Developmental Medicine and Dentistry
Member, American Dental Education Association
Member, American Student Dental Association
Member, Student Academy of General Dentistry
Member, Pediatric Dentistry Club
Participant, Virtual Global Exchange
Pre-Clinical Tutor
Volunteer, Alumni Weekend
Volunteer, Give Kids a Smile
Dental Student Ambassador
hometown
White Bear Lake, MN