Humans of TUSDM

Samantha Rivera (D24)

“Since my early childhood, I’ve carried a deep ambition that continues to shape my journey. Becoming the first dentist in my family fills me with immense pride. In just a few days, I’ll be starting as an associate dentist in Orlando, near my hometown of Clearwater, after graduating from Tufts. This opportunity feels like a culmination of all the hard work and dreams I’ve nurtured.

I chose general dentistry for its diverse skill set – encompassing implants, endodontics, pediatrics, prosthetics, and more – which captivates me. My ultimate goal is to establish my own practice, but I understand the importance of patience and continuous learning. Beyond my career aspirations, maintaining connections with my closest friends from dental school is a priority.”

Babak Senfi (D24)

“In dental school, you are engaged in an education that includes didactics, patient care, professional development, and, on top of that, hands-on skills. Balancing all of that is a lot!

The hardest part of dental school for me was finding a balance between being able to do your work well, but also finding time for yourself and finding ways to lean on your support network. It is so important to reenergize yourself because burnout is real in dentistry. You want to be proactive and oversee it before it happens. I realized that it’s also about the simple things. Go out to dinner with friends, try new spots, explore different areas of the city, go salsa dancing, or go walking. It doesn’t matter what you do, it matters that you do something.”

Jasmine Perry (D25)

“My son, Kenneth, is 6 and he’s such a great kid. He loves drawing so I like to take him to places where he can be creative. We actually went to the museum recently. I realized we’re not always going to live here (in Boston). Even though in that moment I was stressed out and thinking that I should be at home studying for my stuff, it was worth it. Somehow, I’m trying to act calm because he just wants to spend time with his mom.

When you’re a parent, you have a different kind of brain. Even if I wanted to go home and sleep now, I have somebody who’s looking to eat tonight. If I sleep and I don’t want to eat, that’s fine. But he’s still hungry so I have to think about someone else.”

Grace Davis (D26)

“After undergrad, I packed up my bags and moved 11 hours away from my closest family to a small town called Boone, North Carolina where I knew nobody. I had gone through some really hard times. Both of my parents passed away during my first year of undergrad. I really struggled throughout undergrad trying to figure out who I was after that loss, so I took a year off school and moved out to the middle of nowhere.

I had this amazing apartment where the balcony overlooked this beautiful mountain. In the mornings I’d wake up and go do yoga, sit there, and look out at the mountains and breathe, as simple as that.”