Parenting as students brings balance to life

Every learner who comes to the School of Dentistry brings with them passion, excitement and a full life outside of school. For some students, that life involves being a parent—and though it’s challenging, these student parents wouldn’t have it any other way.

Over the past several years, students in each clinical program have raised—and sometimes even given birth to—children during their academic tenure.

Vanessa Shinwen, DDS ’24, started her dental school journey when her son was four years old. She studied alongside him during the early days of the pandemic. Today, he’s a seven-year-old who’s embracing his independence. 

For Samuel Samaro, DDS PASS ’24, a move to the United States from Canada made for a world of transitions for his daughters, now four and eight years old. However, they’re thriving—participating in swim classes, enjoying school and getting to know other kids with parents in PASS. 

Andrew Nguyen, DDS ’23, became a parent during dental school. His daughter, Aubrey Joy, is now two years old. 

All three learners chose the University of Minnesota because they knew it would be a place where they could thrive and receive a great education. Shinwen first became a dental hygienist at the University of Minnesota, working for four years before returning to widen her scope of practice and achieve her long-time goal of becoming a dentist. Samaroo saw the supportive community the school offered, as well as opportunities for leadership—opportunities he’s embraced fully, from joining the academic fellowship program to advocating with ADEA on Capitol Hill to participating in committees and specialty clubs. Nguyen “knew that I would receive a world-class dental education because of the faculty and clinical instructors” and was excited to become a dentist, which he calls “the best of both worlds between a primary care practitioner and a surgeon.” 

The journey has certainly been challenging for these parents—early class times, intense study loads and the pressure to achieve as a student and as a parent are no small feat. All three parents credit the support they’ve received in making it possible.

Shinwen is greatly appreciative of her spouse, who works from home and supports her when she needs to be at school for many hours of the day. “Having a supportive husband makes it easier,” she said. “Having someone that has the same vision as you makes all the difference.” 

Samaroo is appreciative of the administrators and his fellow students in the PASS program, who have made challenging situations easier to handle. Playdates, meet-ups and more have made his daughters feel like the PASS program is their family. “Having a program that supports you, and colleagues that you connect with, is key,” he said. “It’s going to be busy, and you have to plan well, but knowing that I have a community to support me helps a lot.” 

And for all three, the experience of being a parent and a student has allowed them to maintain a great perspective and focus on what matters most. 

Shinwen recognized her own drive and desire to excel in school, and realized that would look different as a parent. “I had to remind myself that I don’t always have to be the best at everything,” she said. “I need to learn as much as possible, and also spend time with my family. That’s more important than getting an A in every course. That’s the realization I had to come to, and it’s worked out well so far.” 

Samaroo has found exams and coursework to be a point of connection with his girls, especially his eight-year-old who’s beginning to take exams of her own. And the amount of planning and proactivity that’s required to be a parent has worked in his favor. “It’s super busy, but in a sense, that hyper-vigilance makes it easier to navigate and balance time.” 

And for Nguyen, that realization came when his daughter was born and he had to decide how to balance his time. “I had to make sacrifices in both areas, but I knew if I made too many as a parent and husband, I would regret that for the rest of my life,” he said.” 

“Before, I was focused on trying to ace every exam. But I now focus on how to balance being a great father and husband, as well as being a great dentist,” he said. “Because of Aubrey, I have learned to become more empathetic and patient, which are characteristics that I have brought to the dental chair.” 

For the students who become parents, or the parents who become students, no part of dental school is simple. But despite the challenges, they wouldn’t have it any other way. 

“Becoming a parent has brought my wife and I so much joy, despite going through the stresses of dental school at the same time,” he said. “Becoming a father has been one of the most transformative experiences of my life. I hope my story shows that being in dental school does not have to be a barrier to starting or growing your family.” 

Main image: top left: Nguyen family, bottom left: Vanessa Shinwen, right: Samaroo family