Dentistry never looked so good
By Lisa Murphy
2025 DDS grads who bring artistic sensibilities to their practice
Dentistry is as much of an art as it is a science. This truth has struck spring DDS grad Emmy Sun many times during her studies. She’s always sketched and drawn and taken art classes, while in between her medical sciences undergraduate degree at Western University and starting dental school, Sun got into painting by reproducing well-known paintings and photographs.
“I chose to study dentistry because it perfectly combines my passion for art and my deep interest in science,” says Sun, who’s now looking to develop her own painting style.
Developing her manual dexterity and eye for detail has also served her well. “Painting requires precision in the brush strokes, which helped me hold the drill in my first year of dentistry,” says Sun, whose family lives in the GTA. Mixing colours preps her to discern the right shades for crowns and composites, as well.
Sun picks up her paint brush during summer and winter breaks to decompress. “It’s a really great way to recharge," she notes.
After graduating, Sun will work as a general practitioner at a community dental clinic in London, Ont., but she’s also interested in further developing skills in veneers and endodontics. Her top priority? “I want to continue being a dentist who always puts their patients first.”
The supportive U of T Dentistry community helped Sun’s talents bloom. “The staff and faculty go above and beyond to provide students with guidance and support,” she says. “Their doors are always open to us.”
Her instructors were impressed by her work ethic. “Emmy is very thorough, which is often what divides excellence from acceptable,” says Joel Rosenbloom, director of student life and assistant professor, teaching stream. “She pays attention to detail in all her work at the Faculty, in patient charts, exams and clinical procedures.”
Being a dental student and a painter have taught Sun the value of perseverance and continuous learning. It’s an ideal blend that she recommends to other students. As she says, “We’re all giving our best to become the best clinicians we can be, so don't forget to spend time nurturing hobbies that bring you joy.”
Fellow spring DDS grad Ben Qiu would definitely agree. He expresses his creativity and shakes off stress by designing and making high-end basketball shoes.
A self-proclaimed “sneakerhead,” Qiu used to paint and fix Air Jordan shoes before taking a MasterClass on shoemaking. Soon, he was stitching up stylish and unique kicks featuring Chinese silk or the leather and lining from an old Gucci bag. Although he doesn’t wear them in clinic, Qiu breaks out his creations for special dates and gatherings with close friends.
The in-depth planning and hands-on work that shoemaking requires are similar to the detailed nature of dental work. “It helps me develop my patience,” says Qiu, adding that hobbies also help students maintain work-life balance.
Qiu, who emigrated from China to the Newmarket area in grade nine, initially studied accounting at the University of Waterloo before transferring to medical sciences at Western. Although he initially wanted to pursue general medicine, he was glad to find dentistry. “I was lucky to discover something I actually loved even more,” says Qiu.
U of T Dentistry became a place for Qiu to build skills and friendships. “It felt like family,” says Qiu, adding, “I love that you see the same people. You get to develop your relationships with everyone.”
Rosenbloom notes that Qiu is very much a team player. “I have witnessed numerous times when he has gone out of his way to lend a hand to a classmate.”
Qiu is now looking at dental practices to work at after his wedding in June, plus he’s open to working at a non-profit clinic or hospital. “Mount Sinai rotations helped us learn from the unexpected,” he says. “You see people with different cases, including severe cases. It takes skills to manage, and it’s a great skill to have.”
Many talented people are drawn to learn dentistry. Qiu and Sun show how the profession can satisfy the drive to help others, build a career and be creative, too. As Rosenbloom says, “The line between dentistry and other passions is blurred, because the drive and determination to succeed is needed for both.”
Top photo: The graduating class of 2025 (Jeff Comber)
Click here to see the full gallery of Convocation 2025 photos.