Every late night study session, application, preclinical experience and exam has led to what matters most for Andrea Li, DDS ’27: caring for patients and improving lives.
It’s why she’s passionate about patient care—so passionate, in fact, that she spends her spare time volunteering at Phillips Neighborhood Clinic, a community-based free interprofessional clinic. “It has been very meaningful to apply what I have learned in the classroom to real patient care and to build relationships with patients over time,” she explained. “Each patient interaction has helped me grow in confidence, communication and understanding of what it means to provide compassionate care.”
Li’s time caring for patients has made her passionate about reducing barriers to care and enhancing community outreach—passions that are encouraged at the school. “I have seen first-hand how many factors can affect a person’s ability to receive care, including cost, transportation, language, health literacy and trust,” she explained. “I approach dentistry with the understanding of meeting patients where they are, rather than procedural visits.” Moreover, seeing patients through Outreach “has helped me connect what I am learning in school to the needs of the broader community,” she said. “These experiences have taught me to communicate more thoughtfully, work with an interprofessional team and think about care in a more patient-centered way.”
As she prepares to graduate next year, Li hopes to pursue a residency program in Orthodontics—and she’s prepared for whatever the future has to offer. “My studies here have helped me build a strong foundation in clinical care, communication and working with patients over time,” she said. “Dental school has also taught me the importance of patience, attention to detail and continuing to learn from both faculty and patients. These experiences have prepared me to keep growing as a clinician and to pursue a career where I can help patients feel more confident in their oral health and overall care.”