In the feature 5 Questions With..., we shine a spotlight on various ADEA members, asking them five questions (both professional and personal), giving us all a chance to get to know one another better. Recently we interviewed Ms. Jessica Poon a fourth-year dental student at University of Illinois Chicago College of Dentistry. 

1. If you hadn’t gone to dental school, what other profession would you have chosen for a career?

If I hadn’t gone to dental school, I would have pursued law school. When I was thinking about career options, I knew that I did not want to be limited in terms of what I would be able to do with my education and degree. Just like how there are many specialties in dentistry to choose from, there are many different kinds of lawyers who “specialize” in a certain field like immigration, family or even real estate.

2. Tell us about one of your “big wins” recently?

Matching into a prosthodontics residency! With such a vast and advancing field of dentistry, I am humbled and honored to be able to be a part of it. I will be attending Harvard School of Dental Medicine in July 2023 for a three-year prosthodontics residency after dental school!

3. What’s the best academic- or school-related advice you ever received?

Do not ever be afraid to say, “I don’t know.” My elementary school teacher said this to me when I was struggling to learn English as my second language, and I have always stuck by this. Especially in dentistry, it’s extremely important to understand your own limitations. As a heavily observant learner, not being afraid of asking questions while observing has definitely helped me throughout dental school.

4. What’s something you think you’ll never understand?

Why people think dental school is easier than medical school!

5. If you could be in any movie, what part would you want to play?

Hermione Granger! Wouldn’t dental school be so much easier if we could just use a Time-Turner?

The original feature was published in the April 2023 edition of the ADEA Bulletin of Dental Education.