From CSULB
to DDS
My Journey to Becoming a Dentist
Dr. Kendra Brooks, DDS
General Dentist · Wicorek & Brooks Family Dentistry · Los Alamitos, CA
Former VP, CSULB Pre-Dental Club
About Me
CSULB Alum
UCLA School of Dentistry
Dental Assistant
General Dentist
My Journey
A non-linear path — and that's okay
CSULB
Undergrad · Biology · Pre-Dental Club
DA
Dental Assistant · Built clinical knowledge
Application
DAT · Shadowing · Personal Statement · Outreach
UCLA DDS
Dental School · Four years of intense growth
Practice
General Dentist · So Cal · Harbor Dental Society · Predental Pathways
What Helped Me Get Into Dental School
Clinical Shadowing
Hours in a real dental office showed me the day-to-day—and showed admissions I was serious
Dental Assisting
Hands-on chairside experience set me apart. I knew the instruments, the patients, the flow.
DAT Preparation
Consistent, structured studying. Treat it like a part-time job starting months in advance.
Pre-Dental Club
Leadership as VP demonstrated commitment, community, and soft skills beyond GPA.
Personal Statement
My "why dentistry" was authentic and specific. Committees can spot a generic essay instantly.
Research & Extracurriculars
Showed intellectual curiosity and initiative beyond coursework.
The Application Journey
01
Build Your Hours Early
Shadow multiple specialties. Get dental assisting work.
02
GPA & Science GPA Matter
Aim for 3.5+ overall. Additional coursework can help if you struggled early.
03
Nail the DAT
18+ is competitive. Focus on Bio, Gen Chem, Orgo, and PAT. Used DAT Bootcamp
04
AADSAS — Apply Broadly
Include reach, match, and safety schools. Apply early — it's rolling admissions.
05
Secondaries & Interviews
Practice your story. Be specific. Know why each school, not just why dentistry.
TIPS
★ Start shadowing before you think you're ready.
★ Dental assisting is the #1 differentiator nobody talks about.
★ Your personal statement is your voice — don't let someone else write it.
★ Apply to more schools than you think you need to.
★ Admissions committees remember how you made them feel in an interview.
★ GPA is just a door-opener — your story closes the deal.
Life in Dental School
The real, unfiltered version
Year 1–2: Preclinical
→ Heavy science curriculum — biochem, anatomy, physiology
→ Simulation labs: waxing, drilling on typodonts
→ Study groups become your lifeline
→ It's a full-time job (+ overtime)
→ Imposter syndrome is universal — push through
Year 3–4: Clinic
→ Real patients, real stakes
→ Your first extraction, root canal, crown — you'll remember them forever
→ Time management becomes everything
→ Faculty feedback can feel harsh — use it
→ Start thinking about what you love and don't love
Surviving & Thriving
→ Find a community early — classmates become colleagues for life
→ Mental health is non-negotiable — burnout is real
→ Embrace the struggle; it builds the dentist in you
→ Stay curious about the "why" behind procedures
→ Sleep > an extra hour of studying (usually)
Life After Dental School
The Realities of Private Practice
Associateship vs. Ownership
Associating first gives you clinical volume and business insight before taking on the financial risk of ownership.
Student Loan Reality
Most dentists graduate with $300K–$500K+ in debt. Financial planning starts day one.
The Business of Dentistry
Insurance, billing, HR, marketing — dental school barely scratches the surface. Seek mentorship.
Continuing Education
CE never stops. New techniques, technologies (like Invisalign) keep practice exciting.
The Rewards
Patient relationships that span generations
Creative problem-solving every single day
Financial independence with discipline
Watching someone smile after years of hiding it
Becoming an Invisalign provider — expanding care
Potential to own your own practice & build something
What I Wish I Knew
01
Your path won't look like everyone else's — and that's a strength.
I was a DA, I went to community college, I had my own timeline. Own your story.
02
Rejection is information, not a verdict.
I had setbacks. Every dentist you admire has a story they don't post on Instagram.
03
Learn the business of dentistry now.
Take a business class, talk to dentists about overhead, PPOs, and what they'd do differently.
04
Mentorship is priceless — find a dentist who will answer your real questions.
Find a mentor for all stages of your journey.
05
You're already doing the right things by being here.
Curiosity, preparation, community
Questions?
I'd love to hear what's on your mind.
A few things I want to leave you with:
❝ You belong in this field if you work for it.
❝ Find your people — your dental community will matter more than you think.
❝ Don’t let setbacks determine your dreams.
Dr. Kendra Brooks, DDS · Wicorek & Brooks Family Dentistry · Los Alamitos, CA