Dental education: Master of Science degree and advanced specialty training in Prosthodontics at UTHealth Houston School of Dentistry, Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from Creighton University School of Dentistry, Bachelor of Science in Biology from Creighton University

Hometown: Kuwait City, Kuwait

Hobbies: I enjoy traveling, cafe hopping, staying active, watching soccer, and spending time with family and friends.

Favorite thing in Rochester: Thursdays Downtown Festival

Why Mayo: Mayo Clinic has long been my dream institution because of its reputation for excellence in patient care, education, and research. The opportunity to train alongside world-renowned faculty in Maxillofacial Prosthodontics and Oral Oncology, while caring for patients with complex rehabilitative needs, makes this fellowship an incredible opportunity to grow both professionally and personally.

Future plans: I plan to return to Kuwait and contribute to the advancement of maxillofacial prosthodontics and oral oncology by providing comprehensive care for patients with complex oral and facial defects.

Dental education: I earned my D.D.S. from Thammasat University and completed my Advanced Prosthodontics training at the University of Minnesota.

Hometown: Bangkok, Thailand

Hobbies: I enjoy exploring new food, trying different cuisines, and discovering local restaurants

Favorite thing in Rochester: It's a safe, small town with genuinely nice people.

Why Mayo: I chose Mayo Clinic because of its outstanding reputation, patient-centered approach to care, and strong emphasis on education and teamwork.

Future plans: I plan to return to my home country and practice in areas where there is a need for maxillofacial prosthodontists.

Class of 2026

Dental education: Advanced Education in Prosthodontics Residency at the University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio; Masters in Dental Science at the University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio; Doctorates degree at the University of Colorado School of Dental Medicine

Hometown: Portland, OR

Hobbies: I enjoy exploring, learning new things, and family time

Favorite thing in Rochester: The nature and all its intricacies, always an animal or pretty flower to be spotted

Why Mayo: Mayo Clinic is excellent in many ways but something that really resonated with me was the camaraderie that I witnessed while visiting. There was a sense of community and a real care for the patient and the strive for collaboration. I believe that collaboration is key in treating maxillofacial patients and felt that Mayo Clinic really represented what this looks like.

Future plans: To work either in a hospital or private practice, where there is a great need for a Maxillofacial Prosthodontist. Potentially in an underserved community or rural area.

Class of 2026

Dental education: Bachelor’s degree in Oral and Dental Surgery at Beirut Arab University (2019), Advanced General Dentistry Program at Beirut Arab University (2020), Advanced Education in Prosthodontics Residency at University of Louisville School of Dentistry

Hometown: Dallas, TX

Hobbies: Fishing, walking in the forest, trying new food, and driving my cars

Favorite thing in Rochester: It is a very small town; you can be at any place in 10 mins

Why Mayo: I chose Mayo Clinic for my fellowship because of its longstanding reputation for clinical excellence, commitment to patient-centered care, and its collaborative, multidisciplinary approach to medicine. The institution's motto, "The needs of the patient come first," deeply resonates with my own values as a clinician. I am confident that training at Mayo Clinic will provide me with exposure to a high volume and diversity of complex cases, allowing me to refine my clinical skills and grow as a compassionate and effective dentist.

Future plans: Returning to my hometown to be closer to my family and to serve the community by treating maxillofacial prosthodontic patients.

Class of 2025

Dental education: Meharry Medical College Graduate School Masters in Health Sciences (2013); Meharry Medical College School of Dentistry (2017); Advanced Education in Prosthodontics at the Dental College of Georgia (2020); Diplomate of the American Board of Prosthodontics (2023)

Hometown: Powder Springs, GA

Hobbies: Crocheting, reading, working out, exploring new places with my dog

Favorite thing in Rochester: It's extremely beautiful outside

Why Mayo: I share in Mayo Clinic values of putting the patient first. I enjoyed my interview experience; everyone spoke highly of the program and each other. I feel honored to have been selected and am truly enjoying my experience thus far.

Future plans: I would like to work in a private practice and have hospital privileges so I may treat prosthodontic and maxillofacial prosthodontic patients.

Class of 2025

Dental education: Advanced Education in Prosthodontics Residency at University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio, TX (2024); Masters in Dental Science at University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio, TX (2024); Texas A&M College of Dentistry at Dallas, TX (2021)

Hometown: Abuja, Nigeria

Hobbies: Travel, painting, reading, trying new food, cooking and baking

Favorite thing in Rochester: Summer weather, the nature and how close everything is

Why Mayo: The strength of Mayo Clinic lies in prioritizing the patient, a principle that resonates deeply with my clinical philosophy. Also, the exceptional quality of the people here.

Future plans: Practicing maxillofacial prosthetics in a hospital and educational setting.

Class of 2024

Dental education: Dental degree: King Saud University; Prosthodontics training and MSD: Indiana University School of Dentistry; Implant Periodontal Prosthodontic fellowship: University of Maryland School of Dentistry; Diplomate: The American Board of Prosthodontics; Fellow: The Royal College of Dentists of Canada in Prosthodontics 

Hometown: Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Hobbies: Trying out new food, spending time with my wife and kids

Favorite thing in Rochester: Friendliness of the people, the food is good, the weather in the summer is wonderful

Why Mayo: The great faculty, patient first philosophy, and professional setting.

Future plans: Maxillofacial prosthetics in an academic hospital

Class of 2024

Dental education: University of Alabama at Birmingham Advanced Education in Prosthodontics Residency at Birmingham, AL (2021); UAB Master of Science in Clinical Dentistry at Birmingham, AL (2021); Yerela Medical College Dental College and Hospital in Mumbai, India (2017)

Hometown: Mumbai, India

Hobbies: Travel, photography, having fun with art, reading, yoga

Favorite thing in Rochester: Summer weather, exploring new places as I go

Why Mayo: Mayo matches my ideals of always putting the patient first and an excellent program that I am enjoying thoroughly.

Future plans: Split my time between private prosthodontics practice and hospital setting helping patients with Maxillofacial prosthetic needs

Class of 2023

Dental education: Texas A&M University College of Dentistry (Baylor College of Dentistry) in Dallas, TX; General Practice Residency at Swedish Medical Center in Seattle, WA; University of California Los Angeles Advanced Prosthodontics Residency in Los Angeles, CA

Hometown: McAllen, TX

Hobbies: Travel, eating/cooking, reading, hiking, and yoga

Favorite thing in Rochester: Not sitting in LA traffic and also eating jerk chicken at Thursdays on First

Why Mayo: The patient-focused care and attitudes and an emphasis on resident/fellow learning and experience.

Future plans: Split my time between private prosthodontics practice/hospital setting caring for patients with maxillofacial prosthetic needs