Lauren Salomon chose Touro University’s Lander College for Women (LCW) for her undergraduate degree because of its “excellent education, warm environment, and being surrounded by liked-minded peers,” but she wasn’t quite sure which career field she wanted to pursue. Then, she read an email that Touro was opening a new dental school. “I began shadowing a dentist around the corner from the dorm, and soon after, I knew it was wanted to do,” she explains.
She was well prepared for the next stage of her educational journey and one reason is that at Lander, even the dean was invested in her education. “She took time out of her busy schedule to discuss my ideas and connected me with my faculty mentor. It is very rare for the dean of a college to even know your name – and much less for them to check in on your progress and help edit your paper – but that is what makes Touro special!”
Now a student at Touro Dental, Lauren attends lectures and treats patients in the dental clinic, where she has the opportunity to work on complex cases and get hands-on experience with the latest technology. She also appreciates learning from incredibly attentive professors who are experts in the field. “The faculty cares about every student and wants them to succeed. Although the program is rigorous, students are happy to be at school – which is apparent when you walk through the halls.”
After graduation, Lauren hopes to become a general dentist who treats patients of all ages – including those with special needs. “At Touro, I had the opportunity to work on the Smiles United project to increase access to dental care for people with special needs,” she says. “I hope to continue to make a difference in that work.” This has long been an area of interest for her future career and even as an undergrad, she wrote her senior honor thesis on the topic of using virtual reality to treat dental anxiety in children with autism.
No matter where her career path leads, Lauren’s excited to do work that she knows will improve her patients’ lives. “As a dentist, you have the opportunity to make an impact on others – whether it’s by creating long lasting relationships, taking them out of pain, or giving someone the confidence of a new smile.” With everything she’s learned at Touro, it’s a future she’s well-prepared to embrace!
Learn more at touro.edu/poweryourpath
