Reflections

Hometown:
Moseley, Virginia

Undergraduate school/degree:
Virginia Tech–Biological Sciences

Tell us a little bit about yourself:
My name is Alyssa Link, and I am elated to be a first generation dental student. My family is extremely proud of me, including my adorable cat named Maggie! My hobbies are pickleball, running, and cycling. I am passionate about dentistry, and excited to pursue my dreams to serve the underserved!

Why are you passionate about dentistry?
My teeth were described as looking like “someone threw them into my mouth”. My dentist was able to grant me my smile, and I vowed to have an enduring influence on others as she did to me. This passion was further solidified after volunteering at free clinics, and seeing the true impact of dentistry.

Hometown:
Round Hill, Virginia

Undergraduate school/degree:
Virginia Tech–Biology

Tell us a little bit about yourself:
Outside of school I enjoy building computers, creating digital music, playing video games, coding, and flying kites. This year, I got my first pet, a grey shorthair cat named Link! I have lived in Virginia my entire life and wish to practice here.

Why are you passionate about dentistry?
I hope to give other's the confidence my dentist helped me gain after I had been considered "the quietest kid in school". I am looking forward to making a positive impact in people's lives and want to share my knowledge with my patients to help them make healthy decisions and achieve their goals.

Hometown:
Buena Vista, Virginia

Undergraduate school/degree:
Southern Virginia University–Biochemistry

Tell us a little bit about yourself:
My wife and I met in college in a hiking group. Now we live in Richmond with our two cats, George and Leo. We loved our time in Southwest VA and spent lots of time camping and exploring the mountains, we also love beach volleyball and trying new restaurants in Richmond.

Why are you passionate about dentistry?
Living in rural areas showed how large an impact oral health can have on a person's quality of life. Whether physical wellness or confidence in one's smile I want to help people be happy with their life and and be pain free. Dentistry is my outlet do accomplish that.

Hometown:
Mclean, Virginia

Undergraduate school/degree:
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University–B.S. in Human Nutrition, Foods and Exercise

Tell us a little bit about yourself:
It is difficult to introduce myself without mentioning my involvement at my local church. I love to spend time with the youth, teaching them how to read the bible. I often volunteer at the local soup kitchen to serve the underprivileged with my church community.

Why are you passionate about dentistry?
Growing up, I must have visited the dentist every month. Every appointment, I remember walking out of the office fully relieved of whatever was bothering me. The profession of dentistry can make an immediate impact in the lives of those in need, and I want to share these gifts with my community.

Hometown:
Sterling, Virginia

Undergraduate school/degree:
University of Virginia –B.A. Biology

Tell us a little bit about yourself:
I am a first generation Afghan-American woman from a family of refugees who fled Afghanistan during the Russian War. I am the first in my family to go to college and even go to a professional graduate program. I love playing the violin, cooking, and painting.

Why are you passionate about dentistry?
Coming from a family of refugees, dental care was the least of many of my family's concerns. From a cousin born with CL/P who was unable to be treated until her late teens to an uncle with severe periodontitis who lost his teeth, I want to educate people on the importance of dental health.