A first-generation college student is a student whose parents have not completed a four-year degree or higher. Such students often have numerous characteristics that are highly desirable in dental students—self-motivation, grit, and understanding the complexity of health disparities in dentistry, among several others.
Nevertheless, many students who are excellent candidates lack access to dental education. According to a U.S. Department of Education report, students who have one or more parents who earned a bachelor’s degree were 2.5 times more likely to enroll in a doctoral or professional program than were first generation college students.
Some of the challenges that first-generation students face in dental school often include financial challenges, finding community at school, balancing familial and school obligations, and/or establishing the social and cultural capital that are conducive to success post-graduation.
Iowa is proud of the successes of our first-generation students and we are committed to ensuring that first-generation dental students, like all our students, have access to the resources to ensure their success in dental school and in their dental careers.
Destiny Ho, Class of 2026
Tell us about your family.
I grew up in Dallas, Texas, raised by my single mother. My family is my support system, especially my mom. She worked three jobs to help me get through college and continues to help me through dental school. I would not be where I am without her.
Where did you go to college?
I graduated Magna Cum Laude from Texas Tech University with BS in Nutrition and Biology and Chemistry minors.
What barriers did you have to overcome as a first-generation college student?
Navigating dental school application and financial aid was challenging, since I had to start from the ground up, not knowing anything.
Why did you choose Iowa?
I chose Iowa because it felt like it would a home away from home. The people I met through the Summer Health Professional Education Program (SHPEP) and during my application and interview process made me feel extremely welcomed. Finding an inclusive and welcoming community was one of my top priorities.
Future goals?
I want to practice as a general dentist after graduation.
Sara Buysman, Class of 2026
Tell us about your family.
I grew up in northwest Iowa on my family’s dairy farm run by my father, Leroy. My mom, Kolette, introduced me to dentistry and has been a receptionist at a local dental office for the last 40 years. My husband, Nick, has supported me through all the highs and lows of dental school, while working fulltime and supporting my dentistry dreams.
Where did you go to college?
I graduated from Bethel University in Minnesota with a BS in Biology and minor in Chemistry.
What barriers did you have to overcome as a first-generation college student?
Understanding the financial side of higher education was a completely new experience for my whole family, and it was quite complex the first couple of years. Given that experience, I know that I’m on a good path to handle the debt I will have accumulated after dental school.
Why did you choose Iowa?
Iowa stood out among the rest with the way their curriculum was set up to get you lots of diverse experiences. I want to leave dental school knowing I was set up to succeed and I know Iowa was going to be do that for me.
Future goals?
I want to be a private practice general dentist where I can grow and see a variety of patients, preferably moving closer to our families in northwest Iowa
Class of 2026 First Gen Students shown with their support networks
This story originally appeared in the Spring 2023 edition of the Dental Link.