Student spotlight: Khushbu Ijner

Khushbu Ijner is a third-year dental student in the UNMC College of Dentistry Advanced Standing Dental Program.

My background:

I grew up in Gujarat, India, on the western coast of India. I received my bachelor's degree in dental surgery in 2014 from the AECS Maaruthi College of Dental Sciences and Research Center in Bangalore, India. After graduation, I worked in private practice as a general dentist for four years. I immigrated to the United States in March 2018 and worked as a dental assistant for two years before coming to UNMC.  

Why did you decide to pursue dentistry?  

One of the experiences that drew me to consider a career in dentistry was when I was seven years old and very few people knew about the importance of regular dental visits, including my parents. I got cavities in my front teeth and they took me to a dental hospital. I was surprised to see a big room full of dental chairs and people getting dental care. It was my first time seeing the dentist and learning what they do.I thought dentistry would be a good career choice that would encompass everything I enjoy – arts and crafts, painting, interacting with people, and volunteering in community. I enjoy all the aspects of dentistry that require using hand skills. My special dentistry interests are esthetics restorations, prosthodontics and dental surgery, and digital advances in those fields.

What are some of the differences you see between dentistry in your home country and dentistry in the United States?

In the United States, dental hygienists and dental assistants receive formal education and training. In India, most preventive services are provided by the dentists themselves so there are no dental hygienists and dental assistants do not receive formal education. As for patient care, people in India are less aware of their oral health compared to people in the United States. In India, they often forgo routine care and only visit a dentist when dental problems are extreme, but in the United States dentists can identify and contain potential dental problems at an early stage.

Many things are different, but dental education theories, materials and basics remain the same. Despite all the differences, dentists in both the countries always treat their patients with a sense of responsibility and aim for excellence.

About me:

• I was raised in a fun-loving extended family. My dad, mom and brother all live in Gujrat, India. I moved to Nebraska with my husband. His family lives in New Hampshire.
• On my days off I like to relax, spend time with my family and friends, and cook while listening to my favorite music. Some of my favorite activites are arts and crafts, drawing, photography, bicycling, gardening, hiking, and spending time at the beach and in nature.
• After graduation, I wish to pursue postgraduate education to gain more knowledge, skills, problem-solving abilities and experience. I hope to have my own dental practice and expand my career in the field of education and skill development.

Fun facts:

• I start my day with traditional Indian ginger tea (chai).
• I like to meditate and do yoga to strengthen my mental health.
• I do not eat any meat other than chicken.

What are some of your favorite things about UNMC? 

I applied to UNMC because of the excellent curriculum and the digital dentistry lab. In addition to the education, UNMC was my first choice because the students, faculty and staff embrace love, compassion, empathy, excellence and value. I am delighted to study in such an environment.So far, my favorite parts about UNMC are that everyone feels like family, the professors are caring and loving, and I feel motivated to keep learning more and more. UNMC has an exceptional educational history, diversity, cultural acceptance and feeling of community. I am grateful to be part of such a wonderful family.