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 Rachel Wengle, a dental student at Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry who has gained a large following on social media by sharing a behind-the-scenes look at her life as a dental student.
Why did you decide to pursue dentistry?
Dentistry has played a significant role in my life from a very early age. At five years old, I required emergency dental care after an accident at Canada’s Wonderland, where I was thrown from a bumper car and slammed my mouth onto the ride. We rushed to the dental office and when we got there, the dentist wiped away my tears and calmed me down. My dentist’s treatment plan not only repaired the damage but also ensured my adult teeth would grow intact. The compassion he treated me with allowed a trust to form between us – so much so that I am still his patient to this day!
That experience sparked my initial passion for dentistry and taught me that patient care begins as soon as one enters your office, before they even open their mouth. I am drawn to dentistry because it will allow me to connect with my patients and build strong, long-term relationships, similar to the one I developed with my dentist.
Why did you choose to start sharing your dental journey on social media and how has the experience been?
I started my Instagram account, @rachel.dentistry, during orientation week in September 2022 as a way to share my day-to-day experiences at dental school with family and friends while studying out of town. What began as a small circle quickly grew into a vibrant community. Over the past year, my audience has expanded from just my mom and close friends to over 6,000 followers, with my content reaching more than 3 million accounts.
From clinic to the gym, from cooking new recipes to sharing study tips, I’ve enjoyed broadening my reach by consistently posting authentic, realistic, and engaging behind-the-scenes content from my life as a dental student. This journey on social media has been incredibly rewarding, allowing me to connect with a diverse audience and inspire others who are interested in the field of dentistry. I’ve formed invaluable connections within the community, including fellow peers, practising dental professionals, and pre-dental students, creating a network that will last a lifetime.
How did you handle not being accepted to dental school in your first application attempt and what did you learn?
When I was unsuccessful during my first dental school application cycle, I felt like a failure. What I initially thought was a step backward turned out to be one of the best experiences I could have asked for. As tough as it was facing rejection, it taught me resilience and allowed me to gain many transferable skills that I’ve been able to apply to my life as a dental student.
During that time, I worked at a science, technology, and design start-up, where I immersed myself in innovative projects and learned a lot about problem-solving, teamwork, and creativity. This experience not only strengthened my passion for dentistry but also provided me with a unique perspective on the intersection of technology and healthcare.
Looking back, I would do it all over again in a heartbeat if it meant I could end up where I am today. The journey taught me the value of perseverance and the importance of embracing unexpected opportunities, and it ultimately made me a stronger, more well-rounded individual.
Any advice for other dental students who want to create their own brand / content on social media?
For dental students looking to create their own brand or content on social media, my biggest advice is to take the leap and start posting! Creating and sharing my journey on social media has been one of my favourite parts of dental school. It’s given me an outlet to celebrate my successes and seek comfort and advice during my failures.
Don’t be afraid to be authentic and show both the highs and lows of your journey. Engage with your audience, build a community, and let your personality shine through! Most importantly, don’t worry about what others might think. Social media can be such a powerful tool for connection and support, and you never know who you might inspire or connect with along the way.
What do you like to do for fun?
For fun, I love staying active and trying out different workout classes with friends, recently I’ve especially been loving Pilates! I also like being outdoors and going on hikes, taking in the beauty of nature while getting some movement in.
I also consider myself a big “foodie” and enjoy exploring new cuisines and food spots in the city. There’s always something exciting to try and I love discovering new restaurants.
Finally, spending time surrounded by friends and family is really important to me.
Follow Rachel on Instagram & TikTok @rachel.dentistry for behind-the-scenes of her life as a dental student balancing academics and a healthy lifestyle