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!
[MUSIC THROUGHOUT]
DESCRIPTION: Text, GO FURTHER WITH TOURO. TOURO UNIVERSITY.
DESCRIPTION: A brunette student wearing yellow medical protective equipment stands confidently in a dentist’s room and smiles at the camera. Behind her, there is a prominent X-ray of teeth on a screen. There are large windows showing a beautiful, green suburban area.
LAUREN SALOMON: My name is Lauren Solomon. I chose to come to Touro College of Dental Medicine because I would be getting a top dental education while not needing to compromise my Jewish values.
DESCRIPTION: Lauren sits for her interview in a maroon room with large windows seen on the right. She is wearing blue scrubs. Text, Lauren Salomon, Touro’s Lander College for Women. Touro’s College of Dental Medicine. The scene changes and Lauren sits with classmates in a lounge and they happily discuss something.
LAUREN SALOMON: I was in the honors program at Lander College for Women and the topic of my thesis was using virtual reality to help patients with autism overcome dental anxiety.
DESCRIPTION: Lauren wears yellow personal protective equipment while her and a professor examine a patient in a dental clinic. They review X-rays on a screen and discuss the patient.
LAUREN SALOMON: The transition from undergrad to Touro college of dental medicine was seamless. All my professors and classes prepared me really well.
DESCRIPTION: Montage of dental equipment in a clinic.
LAUREN SALOMON: Before coming to Touro College of Dental Medicine, my only experience with dentistry was cleanings, braces and fillings.
DESCRIPTION: Lauren uses a 3d scanner to scan a patient’s mouth. We see the scan forming in real time on a screen in the clinic.
LAUREN SALOMON: But here I learned there is so much more to dentistry. Besides, for all the technology, the scanners, 3d printing.
DESCRIPTION: Lauren walks into the Touro College of Dental Medicine campus.
LAUREN SALOMON: There's a big focus on giving back, treating all different types of populations, just really being exposed to everyone, and increasing access to care for everyone.
DESCRIPTION: Lauren operates on a patient’s mouth in the clinic.
LAUREN SALOMON: Touro has prepared me for my future career as a dentist, and I'm ready to take it on in the real world.
DESCRIPTION: Lauren stands confidently and smiles at the camera while wearing blue scrubs. In the background in the college’s signage. Text, GO FURTHER WITH TOURO. TOURO UNIVERSITY. TOURO.EDU/POWERYOURPATH
