Aspiring Dentist Combines Love for Artistry, Community Into Dream Career

Sarah Santiago (B.I.S. ’24) has set her sights on becoming a dentist, with hopes of one day opening her own dental practice or leading the Division of Oral Health at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

ATLANTA — As a child, Sarah Santiago (B.I.S. ’24) didn’t have a consistent dentist because her father was in the military and her family frequently moved.

She also felt powerless when she learned that her mother didn’t feel comfortable going to the dentist, fearing poor treatment based on her past experiences as a Mexican immigrant.

When she was a senior in high school, Santiago visited a clinic with a predominantly Spanish-speaking staff and connected with a dentist who gave her the opportunity to shadow him. Also an artist, Santiago fell in love with dentistry as she watched her dentist sculpt composite fillings, match the proportions of crowns to the natural teeth, carve dentures to mold perfectly to the gums and gracefully perform root canals.

As she observed her dentist explain procedures to patients to ensure they were informed and comfortable, Santiago knew she had found a career that would allow her to build long-lasting relationships with the communities that matter to her.

“I strongly believe that nurturing such connections is key to bridging health disparities,” Santiago said. “I aspire to be a catalyst for change for those who face significant challenges in accessing dental care.”

She prepared for the competitive career by taking classes focused on both science and business at Georgia State, conducting dental-related research and even volunteering at a free dental clinic.

Her hard work has paid off, and after graduating this spring from the Biomedical Science and Enterprise bachelor’s program in the Institute for Biomedical Sciences and the Honors College, she’s heading off to dental school.

Santiago has been accepted into a number of dental programs nationwide, but she plans to attend The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Adams School of Dentistry to earn her doctorate of dental surgery degree. She also hopes to earn a master’s degree in public health from the university.

Then, her goal is to either open her own dental practice or become director of the Division of Oral Health at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

A native of Suwanee, Ga., of Mexican and Filipino heritage, Santiago said she chose Georgia State because its “diverse student population represents a microcosm of the global community.” She selected the Biomedical Science and Enterprise major because she believes it offers the ideal preparation for her career aspirations.

“My interdisciplinary major not only equips me with the scientific knowledge necessary for dental school and practice but also provides me with invaluable insights into the business side of dentistry, should I choose to pursue that path,” Santiago said.

The major allowed her to delve into topics such as business law, entrepreneurship and the fundamental principles of running a successful enterprise.

For her signature experience course and capstone project, she performed independent research under the supervision of Dr. Andrew Gewirtz.

“My project focuses on investigating the impacts of wheat fiber in the diet on the oral microbiome,” Santiago said. “I developed a novel experimental procedure for collecting oral microbiome samples, a venture previously unexplored within my laboratory.”

The project was inspired by her volunteer work as a dental assistant at Ben Massell Dental Clinic, a free dental clinic in Georgia. After serving as a social service assistant at the clinic, she learned how to become a dental assistant through hands-on experience. As fourth-year dental students rotated through the clinic, she assisted them with procedures.

At the clinic, a patient, a two-time stroke survivor, had seen a rapid decline in her oral health. The dentist emphasized the connection between her systemic health and oral health, Santiago explained.

“Driven to understand this better, I turned to research,” Santiago said. “I found Dr. Gewirtz’s lab, which studies the microbiome of the intestines and its role in the inflammatory response caused by metabolic syndrome. It was fascinating to learn that this field of study had its origins in research of the oral microbiome, particularly its influence on periodontitis. Through my research, I hope to deepen our understanding of the links between oral and overall health.”

Despite her busy schedule, Santiago also found time to serve in leadership roles in Georgia State’s Honors Student Organization (HSO), which provides opportunities to volunteer in the community. She also volunteered with the Bio Bus, a mobile laboratory at Georgia State that teaches science modules at different K-12 schools with an emphasis on reaching Title I schools.

“I worked hard to develop a dental care module that made oral care accessible to children of all ages,” Santiago said.

Santiago credits the Biomedical Science and Enterprise program with providing a strong foundation for her to achieve her dreams.

“The professors in the IBMS program are so incredible and truly have a dedication and commitment to instilling important skills and foundational knowledge within us,” she said.

— Story by LaTina Emerson