Student-led program introduces prospective learners to the reality of dental school

Members of the School of Dentistry’s American Student Dental Association (ASDA) have created a new program to encourage interest in and preparation for dental school.

Justin Ho, DDS ’26, loves the University of Minnesota, and wants other prospective students to know how great it is.

“When I was mentoring pre-dental students, I found many of them never considered Minnesota, just because they didn’t know much about it,” he explained. With his own experience of programming and preparation as an undergraduate in mind, Ho worked with his fellow ASDA members to bridge that gap.

His solution was Mini Dental School, an eight-week hybrid program meant to introduce pre-dental and undergraduate learners to dentistry and the University of Minnesota. In its inaugural year, Ho and his classmates journeyed with 85 students, “letting them dip their toes into the water and see what dental school is like.”

Each week, Justin and other ASDA members introduced students to a key topic in dental school—from oral anatomy to operative dentistry to various specialty options. The program culminated with a full-day in-person session at the School of Dentistry. Attendees heard case-based lectures from faculty, learned about the application process from the Office of Admissions and participated on hands-on preclinical activities, such as drilling and filling a cavity prep, taking impressions and touring the school.

"I think this in-person experience made our program particularly special," Justin reflected. "Many of the participants said they haven't had an experience like this at other dental schools, and it encouraged their interest in the University of Minnesota."

Justin hopes the experience has provided insight and clarity to students interested in dental school, who may not have ever experienced what school is truly like.

“A lot of pre-dental students focus on their applications, but don't know what’s beyond the paper and pen of dental school,” he explained. “I wanted to provide them with an introduction to what it means to go to dental school.”

Knowing that their main experience with dental school thus far has likely been through admissions and interviewing, Justin strove to build connections between pre-dental clubs and the school, including current students, ASDA members and faculty and staff. He’s proud to have included students from across Minnesota, Wisconsin and Iowa in the first cohort.

“It’s been a very positive experience so far,” he reflected. “This isn’t just another task, or another box for them to complete. It's an opportunity to explore their interests, get involved and get to know other students.”

Though this year has acted like a trial for the program, Justin has been excited to witness the growth and excitement of the participants, and hopes he can continue inspiring them and others.

“Even after the first lecture, the students had so many questions, and their interests grew,” he said. “It’s been very rewarding to see students move from having a spark of interest, to that turning into a flame that motivates them. By developing their interests, this program gives them the motivation to do well in academics, to give back to the community or to find their ideal career path. That’s what I want them to accomplish—to find their own mission for what they want in life.”