Reja Javed

UConn School of Dental Medicine

I was born and raised in West Springfield, Massachusetts. I graduated from West Springfield High School as the class salutatorian, and graduated Smith College with a degree in neuroscience and chemistry.

While at Smith, I had the honor of taking part in the Smith College Global Medical Brigades, for which I and my fellow students travelled to Nicaragua to help set up medical and dental clinics for rural communities lacking access to proper healthcare. I grew up in a community that did not prioritize healthcare as a part of everyday life; through my education, I would like to give back to such communities by demonstrating the importance of health and healthcare. I believe the Urban Service Track/AHEC Scholars Program will give me that opportunity.

I believe that my experience with the UST/AS Program will enhance my ability to understand the perspectives of my future patients by exposing me both to different health professions and to patients from numerous different backgrounds. Competency in dental procedure is an important aspect of practicing dentistry, but it is not the only part. Important also is effective communication and strong patient-provider rapport. These interpersonal elements of dental care elevate good healthcare into great healthcare. The UST/AS Program will augment my current knowledge of the health disparities facing underserved communities, and will teach me how to eliminate those disparities; it will expand my knowledge of dentistry beyond the boundaries of the school clinic.