It takes time, practice and consistency to break out on social media—but the same is true of becoming a dental professional. These 10 prominent student influencers find the time between lectures and labs to document their lives and their educational journeys for their own benefit—and that of many others.

BY ALANAH SIMENKIEWICZ

Rana Totonchi Afshar

Second-year, Temple University Maurice H. Kornberg School of Dentistry
Content: “Dental insights and a glimpse into the lifestyle of an international dental student.”

“As my audience expanded, I realized that the authenticity of my content resonated deeply. I noticed a gap in the portrayal of student life online—one that often left students feeling isolated and inadequate. By embra­cing the full spectrum of experiences, I hope to bridge that gap, fostering connection and letting others know that imperfection is not only acceptable but relatable and human. Social media is not just a platform; it’s a passion project. The community I’ve cultivated feels like an extension of my own social circle. With their encouragement and engagement, I’m contributing to a space where authenticity reigns and meaningful connections thrive.”

@thetoothfairyblog(16,900 followers)
@thetoothfairyblog (48 followers)
@thetoothfairyblog (26 followers)

Daniella Borukhov

D2, Stony Brook School of Dental Medicine
Content: “A digital dental diary documenting dental school.”

“I come from a community where it’s uncommon for a girl to venture outside her home for higher education. My goal is to showcase that pursuing a career in dentistry doesn’t mean sacrificing other aspects of life. Attending dental school doesn’t limit one’s opportunities but opens doors to endless possibilities. By inspiring and supporting young women, I hope to empower them and instill confidence. Through social media, I’ve discovered strength and positivity through the challenges of dental school. Despite its difficulty, I wake up excited each day, choosing to romanticize the experience. This mindset shift has empowered me to offer aspiring dental students a genuine glimpse into the realities of dental school.”

@thedailydds (7,829 followers)
@thedailydds (5,287 followers

Tina Fadel

Third-year, University at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine
Content: “Day-in-the-life posts and helpful videos tailored to predentals and incoming dental students.”

“Coming from a background with no prior knowledge of or family members in health care, I valued the content shared by others and wanted to do the same. My aim is to provide a genuine portrayal of dental school life. Each day presents an opportunity to pursue balance and productivity. My motivation stems from a blend of my passion for dentistry and the supportive community I’ve discovered through social media. I’ve connected with individuals from various dental schools, offering me insights into the diverse experiences and approaches across the U.S. It has all taught me the transformative power of leveraging digital platforms like Instagram to foster connections and advance in the field.”

@smilesofwisdom (15,300 followers)

Elias Hilaire

D3, Boston University Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine
Content: “Vlogs of my daily life as a dental student and videos with advice for predental students.”

“I created my YouTube channel to inspire undergraduates in my position. I expanded on this by starting the Student Doctor Eli Pre-Dental Scholarship, where I use the earnings from my YouTube channel to help pay for predental students’ dental school applications. Upon graduation, I plan to use my channel as a vessel to humanize dentists and to expand my predental scholarship to a dental school scholarship. One of the most important things I’ve learned is that people like me are needed. I get messages about how much my videos have helped a person along their journey at least once a week. It’s very fulfilling.”

@StudentDoctorEli (11,800 followers)
@_bookofeli (7,771 followers)
@_bookofeli (3,992 followers)

Annel Lueth

D3, University of Iowa College of Dentistry
Content: The dentistry lifestyle.”

“When I was predental, I had so many questions that weren’t talked about on social media, so I wanted to be that resource for predents looking for answers. Some days or weeks are more challenging than others, but people are interested in those times—when I have a really busy clinic day I find it an opportunity to vlog and showcase what my day looks like. One of the most important things I’ve learned is how to use social media to network and connect with other dental students or dentists, as well as educate those who aren’t in the dental community. There are so many incredible health care creators out there, and there’s so much we can learn from one another.”

@its_annel (13,200 followers)
@annellueth (4,428 followers)

Ethan Nguyen

D3, University of the Pacific Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry
Content: “Daily vlogs and dental student interviews.”

“My goals have changed over the years, but I started my page to help give prospective dental students an insight into what dental school is like. I had a general understan­ding of what it entailed as a predental student, but there were still so many gaps in my knowledge about the curriculum. Getting my classmates involved in some of my content has allowed me to get closer to them. One important thing I’ve learned is to take everything on social media with a grain of salt. It’s hard not to compare yourself to other dental accounts you see, but remember that in a field as rigorous as dentistry, there are bound to be some difficult moments that won’t be shared.”

@dr.teethan (8,214 followers)
@dr.teethan (4,815 followers)

Karsen Springfield

First-year DDS candidate, the University of Tennessee Health Science Center
Content: “My life as a dental student and how I’m able to use my love for art and creativity to find success in school.”

“I started posting just for fun. Then, during my first week of dental school, I posted a video of a waxing project that got over 15 million views. Most people had no idea that dental school was so hands-on or involved any design aspect. I’ll record clips of whatever I’m working on, edit it and add a voice recording explaining the what and the why. It forces me to make sure I really understand how it applies clinically. I’ve been able to share what I’m passionate about and give others interested in dentistry the confidence that if I can do it, they can too.”

@karrrsen (41,200 followers)
@karsensp (1,719 followers)

Cykyra Thomas

D1, Meharry Medical College School of Dentistry
Content: “Life in dental school.”

“I aim to strike a balance between being informative and engaging. Once I finally achieved my goal of getting into dental school, there was no question whether I’d document it. What drives me are the messages and comments from followers expressing how my videos have encouraged and inspired them. My journey to dental school, and navigating dental school itself, has been far from perfect. Having experienced firsthand the daun­ting challenges of striving for admission, I take pride in building a platform on honesty and transparency. I’m honored to be a resource and beacon of authenticity for aspiring dental students, providing them with a realistic portrayal of the journey ahead and the support they need to navigate it successfully.”

I’m honored to be a resource and beacon of authenticity for aspiring dental students, providing them with a realistic portrayal of the journey ahead and the support they need to navigate it successfully.” —Cykyra Thomas

@toothfairykyra (13,100 followers)
@toothfairykyra (1,858 followers)

Razel Zapanta

D2, A.T. Still University—Arizona School of Dentistry & Oral Health
Content: “Inspiring and motivating students, and showcasing my journey toward my dream of becoming a singing dentist—dentist by day, singer at night.”

“As a predental student, I battled self-doubt—which drives me to share the uplifting aspects of dentistry. As a Filipina-American, I’ve observed a lack of representation in dental social media, so I aspire to fill this void. One important thing I’ve learned is the value of being myself. Starting my social media accounts has allowed me to raise awareness about dentistry and positively affect others by sharing my experiences and insights.”

@razelindentistry (41,900 followers)
@razelindentistry (13,100 followers)
@razelindentistry (96 followers)

Ansen Zhi-Han Lai

Second-year, University of California, San Francisco, School of Dentistry
Content: “Creative, cinematic videos about balancing life and dentistry.”

“My goal is to showcase how I navigate a life with school commitments alongside personal pursuits. While dental school is important, I’m determined not to let it overshadow the richness we should celebrate during these formative years. I aim to highlight both spheres in my life, aspiring to motivate others to attain their own balance. While I appreciate the engagement some of my posts receive, my true happiness stems from creating work that I’m proud of. My guiding principle: to let my actions be driven by my own desires, and not the expectations of others.”

@ansen.lai (1,754 followers)