Tooth Talk: Q&A with Brittany Quainoo CAMED 22 DMD 26
In our new Q&A series, “Tooth Talk,” we are sitting down with GSDM students and residents to learn more about their paths to Boston University, their time at GSDM, and how they have made Boston their home.
For the second edition, we spoke with Brittany Quainoo CAMED 22 DMD 26. She discussed her experiences with the Student National Dental Association, including what she’d like to achieve as president for the organization.
Questions and responses have been edited for clarity, context information, and length.
When did you first know you wanted to become a dentist?
I knew I first wanted to become a dentist when I was in my third year of undergrad. My dad’s a doctor, so I always knew I would be something in the health profession. In my third year, I realized l didn’t want to be a primary care physician, and I wanted to do something more with beauty. I felt like dentistry was the perfect way to combine beauty and health.
What brought you to Boston and GSDM?
I’m from Maryland and I went to George Washington University for undergrad. I specifically came to Boston University for my masters in oral health sciences (OHS.) It was one of the only programs I saw in the Northeast that would really help you get into dental school. For dental school, I did a lot of research and attended a couple of web-info sessions. I was accepted and I decided to come to GSDM. I was already taking classes at GSDM with the master’s, and I felt more comfortable with the material. I made friends in Boston and some of my sorority sisters were in Boston. I felt like I had a community, so I stayed here.
What has your time at GSDM been like so far?
The past three years have been challenging, but they have [also] been enlightening and eye opening. As I go through dental school, I’m getting more of an idea of what kind of dentist I want to be and what field of dentistry l want to practice.
You’re the president of Student National Dental Association (SNDA). What led you to become a part of this organization?
I started with SNDA when I was in OHS. It was the only student organization that the OHS students could join affiliated with GSDM. I definitely felt a sense of community with SNDA. Then, during my first year at GSDM, I was a general member. Now, in my third year, I’m president.
What has your experience with SNDA been like?
SNDA has allowed me to connect different parts of my academic/professional life together. Now that I’m president and have more control over things, I think seeing the growth of SNDA has been the most rewarding thing. We recently found out that we increased members by almost 200 percent. We have increased dues revenue by over 250 percent. We were always a smaller student organization, but now we have so much more to work with.
What are your goals for SNDA for the 2025-2026 academic year?
Next year, the goals are to keep growing and to provide spaces for students to feel comfortable. Recently we talked to physiology professors about statistics from last year’s exams to see if we can come up with Jeopardy-like games on specific topics to help students study dental content. Mainly, we just want to continue to grow.
If you could give advice to either a pre-dental student or someone who is interested in GSDM, what advice would you give them?
I would advise that they do their research and try to shadow current dental professionals as much as they can. Try to talk to as many dentists as they can and to really figure out the requirements and the lifestyle that you would have once you are a dentist.
Getting familiar with Boston is one of the many perks of being part of the GSDM community. To end our conversation on a fun note, where is your favorite Boston neighborhood?
I really like the Seaport area. That’s a cool area because I’ma big fan of seafood.Being from Maryland, I love seafood. Seaport still gives me that energy.