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Service with a Smile: How Volunteering Shaped My Dental Journey
When I first began volunteering, I viewed it as an opportunity to receive experience and to learn
about dentistry. Surprisingly, I did not realize how much of an impact it had on myself. As a
pre-dental student, I never walked into a hospital, clinic, or community event and had many
questions about what I was walking into and whether I would be able to truly help. As I
continued to volunteer, I became more comfortable in these environments and I grew in terms of
communication, staying calm in stressful situations, and understanding what it truly means to put the patient first. However, the biggest benefit of volunteering were the interpersonal skills I
developed. I became more patient, more aware of other’s hardships, and learned that being a
future dentist is not solely about procedures, but about becoming the type of person your patients can trust.
Entering a World of Service
As I participated in more service projects, I realized that service teaches you things you will not
learn from lectures or textbooks. It places you in front of actual people with actual needs and
requires you to express yourself clearly, read the environment, and demonstrate compassion.
Professionally, volunteering provided me with opportunities to engage with different aspects of
healthcare and build confidence interacting with patients and healthcare providers. Personally, it
challenged me to look beyond myself and develop ways to show up regardless of how I may
feel. Volunteering taught me how to stay present and supportive, even when I could not change
what someone was going through. Each volunteering experience added to my personal
development and crucial skills that I intend to use as a future dental professional.
Comfort in Care
One of the most rewarding aspects of my journey has been volunteering at Texas Children’s
Hospital on the oncology floor. I spend my time in the playroom with children and their families,
creating a space for laughter, play, and for children to be children for a short period of time.
This experience has taught me far more about human connections than I ever anticipated. There
are times of high energy and times of great weight. Both have taught me that comfort is often
found in the small things, such as having a normal conversation, laughing together, playing a
game, or completing a simple craft.
Professionally, it taught me how to interact with families that are stressed and how to be sensitive
to emotions in the room. Personally, it taught me how to be still and be with others during difficult times without needing to say anything at all. It taught me that simply being present is
one of the greatest forms of care, and that care is not only what you do, but how you make others
feel.
Creating Healthy Smiles
In addition to working with patients, I have also volunteered at various oral health education
events, specifically those focused on children. These events were among my favorites because
of how quickly children learn when the material is presented in a fun and interactive manner.
They ask questions, want to partake, and leave proudly knowing how to properly care for their
teeth.
As the daughter of two teachers, I have always understood that learning can positively change
people's lives. Through this experience, I have come to see that dentistry closely aligns with
teaching. It is preventing problems, establishing trust, and educating people about why their oral health is important.
Professionally, participating in these events helped me practice communicating health
information in simple ways. Personally, they reminded me of the positive effect encouraging
someone, particularly a child, can have on their confidence. They helped teach me to lead with a positive attitude and patience, even in small interactions.
Witnessing the Need First Hand
One of the most memorable parts of volunteering for me has been participating in free dental
events like Texas Mission of Mercy (TMOM) and other free clinics. I witnessed the need for
dental care firsthand, as well as the number of families living with dental pain and unanswered questions regarding their dental needs.
On one free oral health day at a local clinic, I volunteered to translate for Spanish-speaking
patients. Helping the patients understand what was going on during each process, answering their questions, and helping them feel secure in their native tongue was truly one of the most
rewarding experiences I have ever had.
As a professional, it made me appreciate how crucial communication is within healthcare. On a personal level, it reminded me that a person's dignity is essential. A person deserves to be
heard and treated with respect, especially when he or she is in a state of vulnerability. That day made me proud of where I came from, and grateful that I could make someone feel less lonely in an overwhelming moment.
TMOM also demonstrated to me the importance of working together as a team. Witnessing
dentists, hygienists, assistants, and volunteers all working toward the same objective was
inspirational. It made me consider the type of environment I would like to be a part of in the
future, one in which service is strongly encouraged.
Call to Action and Conclusion
Volunteering has shown me that service develops you from the inside out. It builds your skills,
but it also builds your character.
I would recommend that you locate volunteer opportunities that allow you to surround yourself with people and grow as a professional and as a person. Participate in organizations such as ASDA, show up to events, and select service opportunities that mean something to you.
Professional growth is important, but personal growth is what stays with you long after the
service opportunity concludes.
This Article was written by Josiara Hernández Torrado:
The subject of this article is extremely personal to me because it represents how volunteering has
affected my journey to becoming a dentist and who I am today. I believe that service should be
used to develop yourself as a professional, but also as a person. I value developing relationships
and providing services to others, and I hope that my story will motivate you to search for
meaningful volunteer opportunities that help you grow in both ways. To me, service is what
shapes you into the kind of provider people can trust, and that growth stays with you far beyond
any one event.
