Community and giving back help define grad’s dentistry experience

DDS '24 grad Yiying Huang. Photo supplied.

Yiying Huang is all set to graduate this June with a doctor of dental surgery from the University of Alberta’s School of Dentistry. 

Drawn to the unique blend of interpersonal care and clinical precision, she found her calling in dentistry. "I knew I wanted to work in a health-care field that had both aspects, and dentistry was perfect," she shares. 

Staying in Edmonton for her studies was an easy decision, driven by her love for the University of Alberta campus and her hometown. "Edmonton is my home (Go Oilers!), and I couldn't think of a better place to enter the dentistry profession," she says with pride.

While her final year was packed with classes and coursework, it was her contributions to the community and the field of dentistry that stood out. 

Huang started a student-led dentistry podcast, chaired the Winter Charity Ball, and raised over $90,000 for dental charities. Most impressively, she led three Access for All Dentistry mission trips to rural Alberta and attended five, including Medicine Hat, Red Deer and Faust. The success of these trips and her leadership skills led to over $200,000 in grants being secured for the program.

"I am most proud of the number of people I was able to help during my experiences on the mission trips," Huang says. These trips provided free dental treatment to more than 450 patients from underserved communities, with a special focus on Métis and Indigenous populations. A particularly touching moment occurred during her last trip when one seven-year-old girl, inspired by Huang's work, expressed her desire to become a dentist.

Huang's journey hasn't been without challenges. Keeping her motivation high was crucial and she often turned to a favourite quote for inspiration: "When you get tired, learn to rest, not to quit." She credits her friends and family for their unwavering support. "I owe so much to my friends and family; I truly wouldn't have been able to accomplish everything without them," she acknowledges.

The most important lessons she learned from her time in dental school are adaptability and accountability, Huang says. “I had incredible mentors through dental school that exemplified these traits through situations over and over.”

For those considering the DDS program, Huang offers this advice: "Be proactive, take that first step, and don't live in the burden of unfulfilled possibilities. For those already on the path, don't give up. Take care of yourself, get the rest you need, and continue with renewed motivation."

As she prepares for graduation, Huang is currently travelling, having spent time in Japan and Scotland. She will soon move to Vancouver to begin a general practice residency program at the University of British Columbia, focusing on dental trauma, acute care and treating medically compromised patients.

“After my general practice residency, I will be applying to endodontic residency programs as I have a deep interest in endodontic treatment. Fingers crossed on this!”