Next Gen of the Month is a monthly Q&A with a dental student or new dentist where we ask them about their experiences and accomplishments thus far in their dentistry journey. This month we are featuring Olga Loggale, a dental student and first-generation immigrant who is deeply involved in community work, volunteering, and mentorship, striving to uplift others who share similar backgrounds.
Why did you decide to pursue dentistry?
Growing up, my access to oral health care was extremely limited. I didn’t visit the dentist until I was 8 or 9 years old, and it was only because I had a cavity so bad I couldn’t focus in class. I don’t remember visiting the dentist much more after that until my first year of university when I received my own health benefits. I think throughout the years I had some benefits through my parents, but there were other barriers, such as time constraints and lack of oral health education, that prevented us from accessing dental care in a preventive way. I can’t say I have always wanted to be a dentist, especially considering how little representation of it I had in my life, but I did know by the time I was in high school that my passion resided in advocating for access to healthcare and livelihood of immigrants and low-income communities—both groups which I belonged to. I explored medicine in high school but for some reason, it didn’t feel like the right fit, even though I appreciated the opportunity to create change through medicine. When dentistry was brought to my attention, it kind of set off a lightbulb. Although all streams of healthcare could benefit from advocacy, dentistry stood out to me because I hadn’t even initially considered it. Upon reflection, I came to realize the overall insignificance of dental health that existed amongst members of my community.
In my continued efforts to learn more about dentistry, I quickly recognized how paramount to our overall health it was. This confused me even more because I wondered how it could be viewed with such apathy and disregard when it matters so much? Of course, I eventually came to the realization that what I viewed as disregard from my parents, and others in my community, did not solely stem from a lack of education on the matter or apathy for it. Rather, the lack of access to dental care, largely due to socioeconomic factors, was equally pertinent. Simultaneously I realized that dentistry could be a way for me to employ said advocacy while also utilizing my penchant for handwork and creativity.
As time went on and I learned more about dentistry through personal research, conversations with my dentist, and shadowing, my desire to pursue dentistry only grew stronger. This was additionally reinforced by conversations about dentistry with members of my community that highlighted the continued perspective of inaccessibility. I guess to sum it up, I saw a gap in my community that needed to be filled and I decided to go for it. I think oral health is of the utmost importance and I hope that I can contribute to absolving the barriers that prevent others from sharing this perspective with me or accessing the care they need.
Who is your biggest inspiration?
I have thought this question over multiple times, and I can’t decide between a few answers so I will explain them all.
Cliché, I know, but my parents are the first. We came here as refugees, which means that my parents lost a lot—their family, community, sense of belonging, all of it. Even through all of that, they never missed a step when it came to providing for my siblings and me. I remember my parents rotating between night shifts, watching the kids, and taking classes during the day just so we could stay afloat. The sacrifices my parents made are definitely the biggest contributor to the position of privilege I am in now, and the reason I remain grounded.
Additionally, I am well aware that my story is not unique, which is why pursuing dentistry is more than just receiving the Doctor of Dental Surgery title to me. It is about creating space for others who share similar childhood experiences to believe in the opportunities that exist and fulfill the potential they hold within them.
My next inspiration are my friends and colleagues who are creating change for us as first-generation immigrants, and for the generations after us, through all their hard work and dedication. They, too, as refugees and immigrants, are creating space in law, clinical psychology, medicine, social work, engineering, nursing, business, everything. I am in continued awe of the ceilings they continue to smash and draw much motivation and inspiration from them.
Finally, I have to mention my fellow dentistry colleagues. I had the pleasure of attending the FCDSA Canadian Dental School Conference in early January and, wow, did I meet some phenomenal people. Everyone was so kind, and welcoming. You could see their dedication to pursuing great dentistry through interactions during our workshops. It was so exciting to meet some of the people I will be experiencing my career with and while I am obviously biased, I must say that I think the future of dentistry is in great hands.
What do you like to do for fun?
This question somehow always forces me to think the most because I have been a university student with limited free time for so long. Nonetheless, whenever I get the opportunity, I love to paint, watch anime, do puzzles, or dust off my guitar and learn a new song. I also love to stay active and try to play some recreational sports whenever I get the chance (I don’t play rugby anymore though if my disability insurance asks) or do a quick trip to the mountains for some hiking!
Favourite dental people/accounts to follow?
Currently dentalschoolprobz on Instagram keeps me going. Always gives me a much-needed post clinic laugh and reminds me that I’m not alone in all of this.
You are very involved in your community, even winning the Edmonton Community Foundation (ECF) award a few years ago. What inspired you originally to start volunteering and getting involved?
My experience as a person in need of volunteers is why I started. Although the programs run by volunteers that we accessed didn’t solve all of our problems, their positive impact cannot be dismissed. My first ever official volunteer gig was in 7th grade, and I remember how obvious saying yes felt. Volunteering has given me so much, including the opportunity to connect with outstanding, inspirational people. It is genuinely such a privilege and pleasure to get to know people from every walk of life imaginable. I can’t really explain it, but volunteering has always just felt right to me. The perks of making lifelong friends, seeing progress in real time, and sharing happy memories are all just bonuses.
Of all of the different projects you have been involved with, is there one experience that sticks out to you as the most rewarding?
This is a really difficult question because I feel like I have been rewarded with a strong sense of community in every initiative I have been a part of, but I will mention being a mentor in the Black Youth Leadership and Mentorship program in 2021 because of a recent experience I had.
This project involved me mentoring a group of high school students interested in pursuing science related education or professions. Our main project was doing literature review on the factors that contribute to the mental health of Black Canadians, but we also had workshops and opportunities for professional and self-development. I spent a lot of time with this group, and I remember at the time feeling unqualified to give advice because I was still figuring life out myself. Nonetheless, I shared tips and tricks that I wish had been shared with me when I started university.
After the program ended, I had some of my mentees reach out to me to ask about university applications, programs, job and volunteer opportunities, to be a reference, and sometimes even just to talk. It was overwhelmingly wonderful to think that I had made a lasting impression, and I was excited to be a positive role model for them.
Fast forward to 2024, I recently ran into one of my mentors on campus and she is in her last year of university with the most hopeful outlook for what the future has to bring. She mentioned that she was proud of me and is so grateful that she had the opportunity to be a part of my group. The idea that I positively impacted even just one individual just by being present is so unbelievably rewarding, I am not sure there are words in the English language. I had to navigate undergrad, dentistry applications, writing the DAT, volunteering, working full time, etc., all on my own, and it got to be exhausting and lonely at times—an experience I would not wish on anyone. I am so ecstatic that I can help mitigate that for some upcoming trailblazing youth, even if just a smidge.
You can find Olga on Instagram (olgalowgalay_) or LinkedIn (Olga Loggale)!
