When Savannah Fonkert chose a dental school, she knew what she was looking for: a community of dedicated, collaborative learners who could lead together. She also knew what she was not looking for: cutthroat competition. She found her fit at the University of Minnesota, and knew she had found the right place from the day of her interview.
“The School of Dentistry has a sense of camaraderie and teamwork,” she explained. “The faculty who interviewed me seemed to really care about my concerns and my input.” That feeling has stayed with her during her studies, and she has continued to see its effects in her studies.
“The school takes a teamwork approach to learning, rather than having a competitive environment,” Fonker said. “This increases your confidence, skill set, professionalism, and eloquence as a dental student.”
Her sense of community and friendship allowed Fonkert to branch out and try new things with her community, like attending the National Leadership Conference with the American Dental Student Association during her first and second years of school. “These conferences were standout experiences that made me appreciate my future career,” Fonkert recalled of the events, where she learned from dental professionals about business, ethics, leadership, and clinical skills. “It made me excited to become a dentist, and I met many new friends from different dental schools who I still keep in touch with today.” Fonkert is grateful for the community she found that inspires her to participate and say yes to any opportunity.
Once Fonkert graduates, she hopes to work as a general dentist, eventually owning her own practice. She is confident that her experience at the School of Dentistry has prepared her well for that path.
“As a student, we start working with real patients during our second year of dental school and are in clinic full time during our third and fourth years of school,” she said. “These clinical experiences are what prepared me the most to be confident in my skills as a general dentist. We work with multiple specialties to dive deeper into dental-related topics, and we work together to give our patients the best possible treatment.”
involvement
Member and Wellness Chair, American Student Dental Association
Member, Cosmetic Dentistry Club
Member, Delta Sigma Delta
Member, Oral Surgery Club
Member, Orthodontics Club
Pre-clinical tutor
Dental Student Ambassador
hometown
Buffalo, MN