GET INVOLVED
Develop Yourself Outside of The Classroom.
Being a superstar dentist is multi-faceted. Not only does it take strong clinical skills but also those honed away from the chair. All together, these skills make the well-rounded clinician. One that can deliver superb patient care. Here is a list of extracurriculars to develop yourself and invariably, quench your thirst for 'Resume Boosters.'
Besides, who doesn't like a dentist who knows their way around a cocktail menu? Explore your interests through clubs, organizations, various opportunities and sports teams.
What are the differences between clubs (including sports teams), organizations and groups? Click here
CLUBS
There's a club for every flavour of toothpaste.
Dental Entrepreneurship, Business and Innovation (DEBI)
Dental Entrepreneurship, Business and Innovation (DEBI) is an initiative aiming to
provide:
1) students the opportunity to learn fundamental business competencies they will need in their future line of work;
2) a platform from which they can learn to be an entrepreneur who can take their ideas/innovations and scale them to a business and;
3) to provide a valuable networking opportunity with other professionals in the field
DOCSKids
DOCSKids is a community outreach program aimed at providing preventative oral health care education to children in the London community. Our volunteer-run program provides Schulich Dentistry students with the opportunity to give back to the community, interact with children and adults alike, and share their knowledge with others. Our volunteers visit community centers, libraries, and other local organizations, engaging children in interactive activities and games that teach them about oral health.
Schulich Women in Dentistry Student Association
Women in Dentistry is a grassroots initiative that aims to promote inclusion and diversity. We hope to generate discourse and learning at the intersection of dentistry and gender by creating a collaborative and interactive environment.
UWODSS Mentorship Program
The UWODSS Mentorship Program is a student-led volunteer program that connects students from different classes within Schulich Dentistry. Our goals are to support students throughout their dental education, build a strong community across all classes, and improve student wellbeing and experience. All of our mentors are volunteers who have kindly committed their time to help ease the transition and journey of their mentees throughout dental school and beyond.
ORGANIZATIONS
Give a little, give a lot (of smiles).
The Federation of Canadian Dentistry Student Associations (FCDSA) is a congregation of all 10 Canadian Dentistry Student Associations at accredited Canadian DDS/DMD programs. The federation will provide services and organize activities which are beneficial these member associations.
The mission of the Federation is to connect Canadian dentistry students in order to foster the sharing of common interests and challenges, advocate as a unified national student voice for the promotion of accessible, optimal dental education and patient care, and provide an avenue to introduce and involve students in organized dentistry.
SPEA Schulich
Mansha Nayyar
The Student Professionalism and Ethics Association in Dentistry is a national, student-driven organization that was established to promote and support students’ lifelong commitment to ethical behaviour in order to benefit the patients they serve and to further the dental profession. The Schulich chapter of SPEA hosts events and provides resources to promote education and awareness of ethical and professional standards and issues relevant to dentistry.
Dentists for Humanity Schulich
Stella Peng
Dentists for Humanity Schulich aims to provide Schulich Dentistry students with the opportunity to obtain knowledge and experience that pertains to working with vulnerable populations within our community, to uphold the objective to be of service. This club will focus on vulnerable populations within our communities, touching upon the unique challenges and special needs required, and how we as dental professionals can provide them with better care.
Dental Environmental Committee
Rachael Johnson
The Dental Environmental Committee is a student-run club aimed at seeking ways in which the amount of pre-clinic, clinic, and general waste produced at the Schulich School of Dentistry can be reduced, as well as empower dental students with knowledge on ways they can have a green practice. As a club we work together to keep the entire dental student body accountable for how much waste we are producing and encourage classmates to follow through with new guidelines to help keep the changes we are making permanent. We have an annual trivia event to make learning about the environment and green dentistry fun.
OPPORTUNITIES
Broaden your clinical and non-clinical horizons.
The Bridge Society
The Bridge Society stands for: Bridging Real practice. Inspiring Dentists. Growing Education. It seeks to provide educational support, resources, tutoring, and teaching opportunities to dental students, bridge the gaps between practicing dentistry in dental school and transitioning to dental practice, and improve dentists' communication skills in all professional interactions. If you are passionate about education or you just want to feel more comfortable with dentistry before graduating, we would love to have you join us!
Canadian Society for Disability and Oral Health (CSDH)
The Canadian Society of Disability and Health (CSDH) is dedicated to promoting inclusive oral healthcare for patients with disabilities and special needs. Our mission is to encourage student involvement in addressing oral health disparities through education, advocacy, and hands-on experience. CSDH organizes seminars, workshops, and volunteer events to raise awareness about the unique challenges faced by individuals with disabilities and to equip future dental professionals with the knowledge and skills necessary to provide quality, compassionate care.
SPORTS TEAMS
We talkin' about practice...
The Mighty Dents Hockey Team
The Mighty Dents represent the SSMD Dental faculty as the official dentistry hockey team, sponsored by the Continuing Dental Education (CDE) department as well as the Ontario Dental Association (ODA). The team plays in the intramural league at Western throughout the academic year, and every year participates in the annual ODA Cup against the University of Toronto Dental Hockey Club.
GROUPS
Learn about other cultures...
JDSA (Jewish Dental Student Association)
The Jewish Dental Student Association (JDSA) is a cultural club for students who identify as Jewish to meet fellow Jewish-identifying colleagues and celebrate Jewish holidays together, as well as develop social and educational cultural programming for our larger Schulich community. We also offer support to Jewish students through connections to Jewish organizations in the London community. Our organization aims to celebrate, educate, and collaborate with other organizations at Schulich and the greater Western community as we shed light on the multiple facets of Jewish identity!
Schulich Black Dental Student Association
As the diversity of patients in Canada continues to grow, so too should the diversity of their providers. The BDSA provides mentorship, professional development, and support for Black dental students and professionals. We aim to promote diversity in the dental field, engage in community outreach, and create networking opportunities to help members succeed academically and professionally. Through workshops, events, and advocacy, we address the unique challenges faced by Black individuals in dentistry while fostering an inclusive and supportive environment at Schulich Dentistry. All students and allies are welcome to join.
Schulich Muslim Dental Association (MDA)
The Schulich Muslim Dental Association (SMDA) is a club focused on building a supportive and inclusive community for non-Muslim and Muslim-identifying students , faculty, staff, and alumni within Schulich Dentistry. The club’s primary goal is to organize events celebrating important Islamic holidays such as Eid and Ramadan, creating a space where members can come together in faith. Additionally, SMDA emphasizes mentorship and professional collaboration, providing opportunities for dental professionals to connect and support each other. By blending faith-based activities with dental career development, SMDA offers a unique platform that enhances both spiritual and professional growth.