Beyond The Smile with Dr. Laila Hishaw

Sonia Chopra, DDS, is a tooth saver. She’s a board-certified endodontist, TEDx speaker, Forbes contributor, author, endodontic instructor, and founder of Ballantyne Endodontics in Charlotte, North Carolina. 

On top of running her thriving practice, Dr. Chopra provides groundbreaking digital education and community support to general dentists and endodontists who want to uplevel their technical skills, patient experience, and practice efficiency. Through her thoughtfully-designed courses and in-person programs, such as her award-winning E-School, she is revolutionizing endodontic continuing education through the simple, tangible lessons rooted in her own diverse experience.

Beyond the Smile (Huddle) is a podcast of the nonprofit, Diversity In Dentistry Mentorships, Inc., where we bring together our Mentees with successful dentists of color to get the winning game plan & be encouraged and inspired by their stories of leadership, perseverance, and resilience!

We talk about:

How to prepare and succeed in dental school

Financing dental school your career goals

Leadership Development

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging

Business & Entrepreneurship

Boundaries & Work-Life harmony

Our goal is to build a diverse, equitable pool of candidates for dental school and help our mentees to succeed in dental school and beyond!

If you are a pre-dental student, you don't want to miss an episode!  Please register now at info@diversityindentistry.org to receive our newsletter and be the first to know about any Giveaways or Scholarships!

Dr. Oluwo is a proud Houston native and lifelong resident. Her parents are immigrants from Nigeria who have called Houston home for almost 40 years. She received her bachelor’s degree in biology (with a minor in public health) from the University of Houston, and then went on to attend Texas A&M College Dentistry for her doctorate of dental surgery (DDS).

She is an active member of the Academy of General Dentistry, American Dental Association, International Association for Dental Research, and a variety of other local organizations. Dr. Oluwo prides herself on staying on top of the latest advances, research, and technology in the field of dentistry. She is constantly learning better ways to serve her patients, whether it’s teaching preventive practices to her patients or making them feel calm and comfortable in the dental chair.

Beyond the Smile (Huddle) is a podcast of the nonprofit, Diversity In Dentistry Mentorships, Inc., where we bring together our Mentees with successful dentists of color to get the winning game plan & be encouraged and inspired by their stories of leadership, perseverance, and resilience!

We talk about:

How to prepare and succeed in dental school

Financing dental school your career goals

Leadership Development

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging

Business & Entrepreneurship

Boundaries & Work-Life harmony

Our goal is to build a diverse, equitable pool of candidates for dental school and help our mentees to succeed in dental school and beyond!

If you are a pre-dental student, you don't want to miss an episode!  Please register now at info@diversityindentistry.org to receive our newsletter and be the first to know about any Giveaways or Scholarships!

Dr. Jouzy is a proud member of the American Dental Association and California Dental Association and is a Board Member of the Hispanic Dental Association and Peruvian American Dental Association. Dr. Jouzy prides herself on her ability to easily communicate the most complicated dental procedures in a fun, accessible, and easily understood manner. Being bi-lingual in both English and Spanish allows her to do so effortlessly in both languages. Her sense of humor and gentle care make her patients relax and feel more comfortable. When not practicing dentistry, Dr. Jouzy enjoys spending time with family, watching her son play basketball, reading, and listening to music. 

Beyond the Smile (Huddle) is a podcast of the nonprofit, Diversity In Dentistry Mentorships, Inc., where we bring together our Mentees with successful dentists of color to get the winning game plan & be encouraged and inspired by their stories of leadership, perseverance, and resilience!

We talk about:

How to prepare and succeed in dental school

Financing dental school your career goals

Leadership Development

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging

Business & Entrepreneurship

Boundaries & Work-Life harmony

Our goal is to build a diverse, equitable pool of candidates for dental school and help our mentees to succeed in dental school and beyond!

If you are a pre-dental student, you don't want to miss an episode!  Please register now at info@diversityindentistry.org to receive our newsletter and be the first to know about any Giveaways or Scholarships!

In this episode, Dr. Arlene Asante opens her quest, desire, and dedication to lifelong learning to ensure that she provides the best quality dental care for her patients - who listens and responds to her patients to meet their expectations and provide them with comfortable experiences. During her spare time, she is the Visionary Founder and President of Enhancing Adolescent Girls for an Evolving Resolution, Incorporated (EAGER, Inc.) a mentoring program that has served the Baltimore City community for over 13 years. Passionate about uplifting and mentoring the next generation, Dr. Asante has lead multiple professional workshops to inspire college students at Morgan State University, Howard University, and Coppin State University.

Beyond the Smile (Huddle) is a podcast of the nonprofit, Diversity In Dentistry Mentorships, Inc., where we bring together our Mentees with successful dentists of color to get the winning game plan & be encouraged and inspired by their stories of leadership, perseverance, and resilience!

We talk about:

How to prepare and succeed in dental school

Financing dental school your career goals

Leadership Development

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging

Business & Entrepreneurship

Boundaries & Work-Life harmony

Our goal is to build a diverse, equitable pool of candidates for dental school and help our mentees to succeed in dental school and beyond!

If you are a pre-dental student, you don't want to miss an episode!  Please register now at info@diversityindentistry.org to receive our newsletter and be the first to know about any Giveaways or Scholarships!

In 2018 Dr. Meiners was one of the first 10 under 10 Awardees of the ADA honoring the top 10 dentists in practice 10 years or less who are making a mark on the profession. Her leadership and dedication to the community has helped her become the recipient of HDA’s National Service Award and receive nominations for the Texas New Dentist of the Year Award. Dr. Meiners is a fellow in the Academy of Dentistry International and the International College of Dentists. She has participated in the ADA Institute for Diversity in Leadership and serves on multiple committees at the local, state, and national level of various organizations. Dr. Meiners currently serves as the President-Elect for the Hispanic Dental Association and serves as the Service & Outreach Committee chair. 

She helped found the Building our Leaders in Dentistry (BOLD) program to provide mentorship to underrepresented minority pre-dental students. The award winning BOLD program presents hand-on activities and lectures to inspire a career in dentistry to high school and college students throughout South Texas, and has recently been adopted nationally by the Hispanic Dental Association (HDA). Learn more about her values and inspirational stories in this episode.

Beyond the Smile (Huddle) is a podcast of the nonprofit, Diversity In Dentistry Mentorships, Inc., where we bring together our Mentees with successful dentists of color to get the winning game plan & be encouraged and inspired by their stories of leadership, perseverance, and resilience!

We talk about:

How to prepare and succeed in dental school

Financing dental school your career goals

Leadership Development

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging

Business & Entrepreneurship

Boundaries & Work-Life harmony

Our goal is to build a diverse, equitable pool of candidates for dental school and help our mentees to succeed in dental school and beyond!

If you are a pre-dental student, you don't want to miss an episode!  Please register now at info@diversityindentistry.org to receive our newsletter and be the first to know about any Giveaways or Scholarships!

In this episode, Student Dr. Isaiah Sampson shared an intriguing article written by Saundra Dalton-Smith, MD about 7 types of rest that every person needs so we can truly feel restored. We also dive into topics with our predental mentees on the call on his journey in dentistry, the diversity of dental students at UCLA School of Dentistry, how to work towards a sense of belongingness when you are one of the “few & only” in dental school, and so much more. 

Beyond the Smile (Huddle) is a podcast of the nonprofit, Diversity In Dentistry Mentorships, Inc., where we bring together our Mentees with successful dentists of color to get the winning game plan & be encouraged and inspired by their stories of leadership, perseverance, and resilience!

We talk about:

How to prepare and succeed in dental school

Financing dental school your career goals

Leadership Development

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging

Business & Entrepreneurship

Boundaries & Work-Life harmony

Our goal is to build a diverse, equitable pool of candidates for dental school and help our mentees to succeed in dental school and beyond!

If you are a pre-dental student, you don't want to miss an episode!  Please register now at info@diversityindentistry.org to receive our newsletter and be the first to know about any Giveaways or Scholarships!

Dr. Lagreca is the Director of Faculty Education, at Tufts School of Dental Medicine where she leads faculty onboarding, training, and development efforts by the Office of Academic Affairs. Additionally, she is the co-director of the Dental Education Learning and Teaching Academy (DELTA) Fellowship and Mini-residency at TUSDM, and Founding Director of The International Dentist® Bootcamp, a program recognized by the Provost Office Mini-Grants for Global Engagement. She is also the host of The International Dentist Podcast. In this episode, Dr. Lagreca discusses how she overcame challenges as an international dentist in the U.S. and is now mentoring others coming after her while educating our future dentists and prosthodontic specialists. 

Beyond the Smile (Huddle) is a podcast of the nonprofit, Diversity In Dentistry Mentorships, Inc., where we bring together our Mentees with successful dentists of color to get the winning game plan & be encouraged and inspired by their stories of leadership, perseverance, and resilience! 

We talk about:

How to prepare and succeed in dental school

Financing dental school your career goals

Leadership Development

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging

Business & Entrepreneurship

Boundaries & Work-Life harmony

Our goal is to build a diverse, equitable pool of candidates for dental school and help our mentees to succeed in dental school and beyond!

If you are a pre-dental student, you don't want to miss an episode!  Please register now at info@diversityindentistry.org to receive our newsletter and be the first to know about any Giveaways or Scholarships!

In this 2nd episode, our special guest is Dr. Shanna R. Warner. She received a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Southern University and A&M College and Doctor of Dental Surgery degree (DDS) from Meharry Medical College. After Dental school, she returned to Baton Rouge, LA  and is an Associate Dentist at a Federally Qualified health Center (FQHC).

Beyond the Smile (Huddle) is a podcast of the nonprofit, Diversity In Dentistry Mentorships, Inc., where we bring together our Mentees with successful dentists of color to get the winning game plan & be encouraged and inspired by their stories of leadership, perseverance, and resilience!

We talk about:

How to prepare and succeed in dental school

Financing dental school your career goals

Leadership Development

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging

Business & Entrepreneurship

Boundaries & Work-Life harmony

Our goal is to build a diverse, equitable pool of candidates for dental school and help our mentees to succeed in dental school and beyond!

If you are a pre-dental student, you don't want to miss an episode!  Please register now at info@diversityindentistry.org to receive our newsletter and be the first to know about any Giveaways or Scholarships!

Dr. Nidhi is a board-certified pediatric dentist, with a mission to eliminate dental fear and anxiety for every child. She is an advocate of prevention-focused, minimally-invasive dentistry.  In 2020, Dr. Nidhi received the prestigious honor of America’s Top 40 under 40 Specialist Dentists by Incisal Edge Magazine. This award recognizes doctors renowned for their medical innovations, volunteer work, philanthropy, and commitment to outstanding patient care.  Dr. Nidhi specializes in treating children and individuals with special needs, those suffering from dental anxiety/fear and parents seeking alternative and functional approaches to oral health. She was a dentist in India before moving to the United States in 2012 to train at UCLA’s School of Dentistry.  Dr. Nidhi has spent more than a decade in dentistry helping thousands of children experience positive dental visits. She has published her original research in peer-reviewed journals on barriers to dental care for children with autism. Dr. Nidhi has a passion for empowering parents and caregivers with preventive education to make dentistry more mindful and minimally invasive.  

Beyond the Smile (Huddle) is a podcast of the nonprofit, Diversity In Dentistry Mentorships, Inc., where we bring together our Mentees with successful dentists of color to get the winning game plan & be encouraged and inspired by their stories of leadership, perseverance, and resilience!

We talk about:

How to prepare and succeed in dental school

Financing dental school your career goals

Leadership Development

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging

Business & Entrepreneurship

Boundaries & Work-Life harmony

Our goal is to build a diverse, equitable pool of candidates for dental school and help our mentees to succeed in dental school and beyond!

If you are a pre-dental student, you don't want to miss an episode!  Please register now at info@diversityindentistry.org to receive our newsletter and be the first to know about any Giveaways or Scholarships!

Dr. Taylor Jackson is from the rolling hills of Georgia and is currently a 1st year pediatric dental resident at The University of Illinois Chicago. She graduated from Fisk University with a B.A. in Biology in 2016 and from Meharry Medical College with her Master in Health Science in 2018. She then became the first doctor in her family and earned her Doctorate of Dental Surgery, from the best dental school in the country, Meharry Medical College in 2022. During her time as a dental student, she was heavily involved on campus in varying organizations by serving nationally as The SNDA liaison to the NDA Board of Trustees and locally as The ASDA president for the Meharry Chapter. 

Beyond the Smile (Huddle) is a podcast of the nonprofit, Diversity In Dentistry Mentorships, Inc., where we bring together our Mentees with successful dentists of color to get the winning game plan & be encouraged and inspired by their stories of leadership, perseverance, and resilience!

We talk about:

How to prepare and succeed in dental school

Financing dental school your career goals

Leadership Development

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging

Business & Entrepreneurship

Boundaries & Work-Life harmony

Our goal is to build a diverse, equitable pool of candidates for dental school and help our mentees to succeed in dental school and beyond!

If you are a pre-dental student, you don't want to miss an episode!  Please register now at info@diversityindentistry.org to receive our newsletter and be the first to know about any Giveaways or Scholarships!