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 Emily Mundy, President of the Federation of Canadian Dentistry Student Association and member of CDSPI advisory panel.
How did you get involved in the FCDSA? What has the experience as President meant to you?
My journey with the Federation of Canadian Dentistry Student Associations began in my first year when I joined as an intern. I was particularly drawn to the FCDSA as a unique opportunity to connect with dental students across Canada. Under the mentorship of a former FCDSA member (and president!) and my now friend, Nima, I was inspired to pursue a more active role within the committee. I believe the insight I gained during my time as Vice President of Finance ultimately paved the way to my current Presidency.
Being elected President and having the opportunity to represent dental students nationwide has been a significant honour and an experience I am extremely grateful for. Over the past year, I’ve had the privilege of working alongside a truly dedicated and talented group of students, and I am particularly proud of the successful Canadian Dental Student Conference we hosted in Vancouver this past January 2025. As an entirely student-run organization, advocacy naturally presents its challenges, but I am genuinely optimistic about the FCDSA’s continued growth and positive impact in the dental community for years to come. I am eager for the next President and committee to learn, connect with new people, and enjoy the experience as much as I have.
You are on the Advisory Panel for CDSPI. What have you learned from this experience?
Serving on the CDSPI advisory panel has been an exceptionally rewarding experience and certainly one of my fondest dental school memories. Our recent panel meeting in Toronto offered a valuable opportunity to connect with experienced professionals from various stages of their careers within the industry. I found this group to be remarkably engaged, insightful, and genuinely interested in understanding the student perspective. Every member seemed to have a different outlook on each discussion point and the conversation had me thinking for days to come. For me, the biggest take home was the power of collaboration. I’d be ecstatic to join the panel again in the future!
What’s been your favourite and least favourite course to take so far?
I honestly don’t think I can pinpoint my least favourite course. Dentistry is fantastic in the way that it is so applicable, so studying tends to pay off quickly and makes everything feel worthwhile.
My favourite course, on the other hand, is without hesitation clinical practice. This is where we get to connect with patients and put our hand skills to use. My clinic partner, Fatima, is an exceptionally kind and attentive clinician, and we’ve had the opportunity to learn a lot from each other. Succeeding with clinical requirements can be challenging at times, so I feel fortunate to have spent the last two years working alongside such a good friend.
What do you like to do for fun?
I am extremely passionate about cooking and travel, and I especially love when these two things intersect. I find it fascinating to experience different cultures through culinary traditions. I am fortunate to have recently travelled to Italy with my mom and best friend Rebeccah and am currently counting down the days until a long-awaited trip to Iceland with my dad.
A fun fact about me is that I had the opportunity to work for a Food Network chef when I was quite young. I had briefly considered pursuing culinary as a profession—but now I am thankful to have kept it as a hobby. I think my friends and family might be happy about this too as I’m quick to volunteer as host for holidays and get togethers. Recently, I even had the honour of making the wedding cake for some of my closest friends!
Favourite dental people/accounts to follow?
I follow many, but a short list whose online presence I find particularly engaging includes Dr. Nekky Jamal (@drnekkyjamal) and Dr. Bao-Tran Nguyen (@dr.baotran).
Through the FCDSA I’ve had the pleasure of meeting these individuals and they are both so kind and humble. I think everyone agrees that Dr. Jamal’s energy is contagious. I’m especially intrigued by his dental outreach content—I aspire to join him and his volunteer team one day! Dr. BT’s page is an excellent resource for practical patient communication strategies—I anticipate frequenting her page even more so now as I transition into private practice.
What are your hopes for post-graduation life?
My initial interest in dentistry was driven by a desire to work with my hands, and the ability to contribute meaningfully within the community. Looking ahead post-graduation, I’m eager to further develop my clinical skills, and I also intend to dedicate time to volunteer work. Last summer I had the opportunity to participate in a clinical outreach program in Jamaica, which was the most rewarding and humbling experience. Ultimately, my hope is to build a fulfilling career for many years to come, find joy in giving back, and possibly inspire others along the way.
You can find Emily on Instagram: @emilymundy12
