Student Spotlight: Chinedu Ahanonu
Chinedu Ahanonu, Class of 2025
As a member of the University of Utah School of Dentistry (UUSOD) Class of 2025, Chinedu Ahanonu’s dental education began during the peak of the COVID-19 public health emergency, but that didn’t limit his ability to make the most of his time at the UUSOD.
“The first two years were some of the hardest I have ever had in school,” Chinedu shared. “Starting during the pandemic made the transition feel very awkward, but I have loved my time here at the [UUSOD]. I spent a lot of time in class studying and learning my way around a handpiece.”
“I remember drilling on a typodont the first week of school thinking ‘Can I really be a dentist?’ as I looked down at the multitude of teeth I had burned while drilling.”
Chinedu credits Dr. Joel Janis and the hours spent in the simulation lab together with honing his skills as a dentist, in addition to serving communities in the state of Utah at large: “I’ll never forget the hours spent in the sim lab honing my skills, and I will forever be grateful for Dr. Janis and the time he spent working with me. As I continued school, I learned more about the profession, but just as much about myself. I have grown to love serving in this community, whether it be introducing kids in underserved communities to the career of dentistry, an externship at the Utah State Correctional Facility, or anything in between.”
Chinedu is also the recipient of the Dean’s Award, which is presented to DDS candidates who have exhibited superior scholarship, dedication, keen interest in their patients, and outstanding performance in dentistry. He is also the recipient of the ‘Excellence in Teamwork’ and ‘International College of Dentists Student Leadership’ awards and holds a graduate certificate in Advanced General Dentistry in Community-Engaged Dentistry through the UUSOD Pathways Program.
His dental education began during the peak of the COVID-19 public health emergency, but his dental career continues in Oshkosh, Wisconsin at Partnership Community Health Centers. A National Health Service Corps (NHSC) scholarship recipient, he will provide dental care to patients for the Federally Qualified Health Center after graduating on May 16, 2025.
