Introduction to Dentistry at PUC: Shaping Students for Their Careers

For over 35 years, Pacific Union College has offered the Introduction to Dentistry taught by alumni dentists from Loma Linda University School of Dentistry and PUC. By testing their hand-eye skills and personality characteristics, this course has given pre-dental students early exposure to the field, preparing them for future careers in dentistry or dental hygiene.

Since 2012, PUC and LLUSD alum Dr. James Yoo has been the class and lab instructor. With eight students in his class this quarter, they have expressed their appreciation of this class being the first step into their careers. “The students are wonderful and eager to learn when they show up to class,” said Dr. Yoo. “It is very rewarding on a personal level to give back to PUC in this little way.”

In his experience, the most common challenge first-year dental students face that PUC’s introduction to dentistry class helps with is the wax lab, which is extremely helpful as they learn the anatomy of each tooth and start training their eyes to the details required in dentistry. While this course introduces students to the world of dentistry, they are encouraged to reach out to local or family dentists, volunteer on mission trips, and find shadowing opportunities to gain additional exposure and better understand the field. To help with this, PUC’s pre-dental program invites guest speakers for students to learn from and connect with. PUC students also have the chance to network with all LLUSD dentists in Napa Valley who are accessible to them, which is very important because it supports their dental school application process.

One student from this year’s class is senior biology and pre-dental student Andrea Maidan, who is also the teacher’s assistant for the class. This fall, she will be attending the School of Dentistry at Loma Linda University and shared that PUC’s introduction to dentistry class has been great for giving her a look into what dental school offers. “It covers various techniques, skills, and concepts that pre-dental students will experience in the future,” said Maidan. “Dr. Yoo is an incredible professor who aims to prepare undergraduate students for what professional or hygiene school has to offer to students.”

Since teaching this course, there has not been a year that has gone by when a former student of Dr. Yoo has not shared how the introduction to dentistry class made a difference in their education by preparing them for dental school and taking the Dental Admissions Test, instilling further confidence in their career choice.

Dean of The School of Sciences Aimee Wyrick feels lucky to have an alumnus of PUC and LLUSD teach this course. Hearing current students and alumni express their appreciation for this class, which helped them prepare for dental school and their careers, is an example of how impactful and immersive it is, offering hands-on experience and showcasing the realities of the field. “We are committed to providing this real-world experience,” said Wyrick. “We want our students to be well informed and thus ‘eyes wide open’ as they pursue dentistry.”