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 Mony Madlol, the 2028 Class President at Schulich, who hopes to continue contributing to the well-being of underserved populations and being active in the dental community.
Why did you decide to pursue dentistry?
Funny enough, I never even thought about dentistry until about a month before the application deadline – I always thought I’d end up becoming an optometrist. But after applying last second, getting in, and weighing my options, dentistry just seemed like the best fit. It’s cliché, but I’ve always loved working with my hands and connecting with people. Dentistry felt like the perfect blend of both.
Plus, growing up, my family didn’t always have access to the best dental care, so I knew early on how transformative it could be. One memory that sticks with me is when a dental surgeon covered a really complicated procedure for my older brother, completely free of charge. It was a multi-thousand-dollar surgery, and he didn’t make a big deal about it – he just did it. That was huge for us, being a family of 5 children raised of a widowed-mother’s individual income, and it showed me the kind of difference dentists can make. Seeing firsthand the impact a compassionate dentist could make really stuck with me. I realized that dentistry is about more than just fixing teeth – it’s about changing lives. I want to be part of that, helping people feel confident and healthy, knowing that even the smallest act can make a world of difference.
You recently volunteered in Kenya. Can you tell us a little about that experience and what you learned?
Volunteering in Kenya was eye-opening in every possible way. The trip was part of an incredible 5-week experiential learning placement organized by Western University and the University of Manitoba, designed to equip students with Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, Decolonization, and Indigeneity (EDIDI) knowledge. The goal was to prepare us for frontline work with diverse populations, not just globally but also within Canada. I was thrilled to be part of this group, working at St. Mary’s Hospitals, Kenyatta National Hospital, and the University of Nairobi Dental School.
The experience was meant to be largely observational, allowing us to reflect on how EDIDI principles are applied in different healthcare settings. But after a few days, I saw opportunities to take initiative and make more of an impact. I partnered with the Frugal Biomedical Innovation (FBI) Program and a team of biomedical engineers to study how better equipment could be introduced to underserved hospitals. This was an exciting development, especially since I got to provide weekly observations to Dr. James Lacefield back at Western, sharing insights about our work in Kenya. It was humbling to see how much simple technological innovations could improve care in these hospitals.
Outside of the research, I wanted to give something back to the patients who had been so generous in sharing their experiences with us. So, I created educational pamphlets on oral hygiene for the pediatric wards and designed murals to thank our Kenyan partners. Watching the kids light up when they saw the graphics on the pamphlets was incredible. It was a small gesture, but it showed me the power of education in healthcare, especially in underserved communities.
These five weeks in Kenya were transformative. The chance to work directly with local communities, apply EDIDI principles, and collaborate on meaningful projects has changed the way I view healthcare. I’m filled with immense gratitude for this experience, and I’m excited to bring what I’ve learned back to my future career.
What’s been your favourite and least favourite course to take so far?
Favourite? Anatomy, hands down. Getting hands-on with learning about the body has been fascinating, and it feels like every little detail is connected to the bigger picture of patient care. Plus, we’ve just started working on wax-ups, where I get to make teeth from scratch using wax – it’s been great for testing my dexterity. Least favourite? Probably biochem… I’m all about the hands-on stuff, and biochem just has too much theory for my liking. But hey, gotta push through it to get to the good stuff!
What does it mean to you to be Class President for the DDS Class of 2028 at Schulich? What do you hope to accomplish in your upcoming 4 years as President?
Being Class President has been such a privilege. It’s only been a month, but I already feel like I’ve known my classmates for years. Not to mention, every single one of them impresses me on a daily basis – they’re all so driven, talented, and supportive. While it’s definitely intimidating to represent such a remarkable group of people, I feel honoured and backed by them every single day.
People often assume the class president is the go-to person for help, and while that’s true, it’s also a two-way street. Even though sometimes it can be a lot of work, they’re always super considerate and understanding. Often times I find myself being the one to go to them for advice, and whether it’s me stressing over an exam or signing up for too many things, they’re always there to bring me back to earth when I’m spiraling. It’s a true team dynamic and I couldn’t have wished for a better class.
Looking ahead to the next four years, my biggest goal is to make sure we continue to mesh as a team, above all else. Staying connected and supporting each other through this wild dental school journey is my top priority. Beyond that, I have some big ideas – like hosting a national dental drive with other dental schools across Canada or planning cross-school social events to get us all collaborating. In the end, we’re all going to be colleagues in this profession, so why not start working together now?
Who is your biggest inspiration?
My mom is my biggest inspiration, the strongest woman I know and truly my superhero. After my dad passed away when I was very young, she was left alone to raise five children, the oldest just 10 and the youngest 4. Despite the immense challenge, she safely brought us to Canada, where she faced even more adversity, working multiple part-time jobs just to keep food on the table and ensure we had every opportunity. She sacrificed everything, putting her own life and aspirations on hold just so we could chase ours.
Her sacrifices didn’t stop at providing the basics. She went above and beyond to make sure we never felt like we were missing out, enrolling us in sports and activities, driving us to school, and working tirelessly, day in and day out. Even when things became more complex as we entered different stages of schooling, she somehow managed it all. Her resilience and unyielding commitment to our success are the reasons why today, she has raised 1 pharmacist, 3 children accepted into dental school (youngest being me in my first year, oldest being my sister who is in her graduating year), and my youngest sister, a fourth-year general science student pursuing dentistry.
Every bit of success my siblings and I have achieved is a direct result of her endless dedication and hard work. She taught us to persevere through adversity, to never use our circumstances as an excuse, and to always aim higher. Her sacrifices and love continue to drive me daily, and I am proud to say we owe everything to her. She truly is a rockstar.
What do you like to do for fun?
When I’m not buried in dental textbooks, you’ll find me either working on my social media accounts or trying to stay active. I love basketball, volleyball, football, swimming – I was even a lifeguard for a few years. Also, I’m a sucker for a good meme and am chronically on my phone (trust me, I know, I’m trying to handle it lol).
Favourite dental people/accounts to follow?
I’m a huge fan of @mikidentistry, @dr.ramez.salti, @dentaltoothy, @rachel.dentistry, @doctorgallagher, @thesmileydds, @mahsapaydr_dds. They’re all super informative but also know how to keep it light and entertaining. I also love following pre-dental accounts for that sense of community and shared experiences.
What are your hopes for post-graduation life?
I’d love to stay in Canada and potentially open my own general practice while actively contributing to the well-being of underserved populations. For instance, I’d like to offer free dental clinic days, similar to those provided by the Oxford County Community Health Centre. Dental education is another passion of mine, so incorporating that into my career would be incredibly rewarding – whether through volunteer work, running outreach programs, or even exploring academia. My long-term goals include possibly becoming the president of the Ontario Dental Association (ODA) or even the Dean at Schulich. Either path would be exciting, but I’ve learned that life often unfolds in ways we don’t expect. So, I’m in no rush and will embrace whatever direction my journey takes!
You can find me on Instagram at @moony.dentistry and TikTok at @mony.dentistry! I love connecting with other dental students, so feel free to reach out!
