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Nick Salameh, originally from Houston, Texas, serves as 2024-2025 president of the Dugoni School’s Associated Student Body. Following his graduation in June 2025, he will return to Texas to pursue a one-year internship in oral and maxillofacial surgery at JPS Health Network in Fort Worth.

When did you know you wanted to become a dentist?

I had just finished a three-month internship at a large pharmaceutical company working in R&D finance. I thought it would fulfill my goals of serving others and making a positive impact through health care. Although I had a great experience and learned a lot, I knew I wanted to see the impact on patients more directly. Thinking back to my prior experiences, I remembered shadowing Dugoni School alumni in high school. I loved how precise and efficient they were during treatment and how empathetic and humanistic they were right afterward, and I wanted the opportunity to master a craft while also staying connected to the patient. After seeing their work, I was inspired and focused on attending the Dugoni School of Dentistry.

What was your path to dental school?

I majored in finance as an undergrad and made the commitment to dentistry at the beginning of my third year. I wasn't able to submit an application on time and decided on a gap year working at a consulting firm in health care strategy and management consulting. I got denied from all schools my first round, and spent more time improving myself as an applicant through taking more advanced science courses; shadowing more dentists and specialists; and traveling with friends. I really valued the time to learn, grow and experience life before dental school. Thankfully, my second attempt I got accepted to the Dugoni School, sold my car, packed two bags and moved to from Texas to California.

What was your motivation to get involved in student leadership?

After my first year, I was inspired by my classmates and how dedicated they were to being the greatest dentists they could be for our future patients. I wanted to have a platform to push our class to reach their full potential as I saw ways to enhance the student experience, from working with instructors to modify academic courses to allocating funding for extracurricular activities and new school events. Our culture is what will ultimately define our class for years to come, and I wanted to be a part of fostering a welcoming environment that focused on camaraderie, respect, leadership, love and having fun.

What have been one or two of your favorite experiences while at dental school?   

One of my favorite experiences during dental school was first year sim lab on Sunday mornings. I would try to come in around 9:00 am on Sunday to practice preps. There were always a number of classmates there working on their hand skills and you would hear people asking for feedback, sharing advice, and collaborating. I loved the fact that you could look to your left and right and see your peers alongside you working hard to grow their skillset in such a collaborative environment.

Alumni Weekend was also a great experience. The alumni were all so welcoming and it gave us all so much to be excited for in our careers!

Any advice to new dental students who will be starting their journey at school?

It really important to realize dental school will be your life for a few years but it won’t be all of your life forever. Having the perspective that your time at the Dugoni School — or any other school — is finite helps you realize that the tough times will pass and good times are to be appreciated. It also reminds you to take a step back and remember why you worked so hard to get to this point in your career. When things get difficult you can focus on how much you were able to accomplish — always with the help of others — and use that energy to exceed your limitations.