Josh Meisels: Q&A with incoming Dental Student Society President

The Dental Students’ Society (DSS) is the official undergraduate student organization in the Faculty of Dentistry, dedicated to enhancing student life through a variety of extracurricular activities, events and programs. From social gatherings and athletic events to creative and community-building initiatives, the DSS helps bring students together and fosters a strong sense of connection and belonging.

As the Faculty of Dentistry welcomes a new academic year, incoming DSS President Josh Meisels (DDS4) shares his thoughts on leadership, community, and his experience at U of T Dentistry. In the Q&A below, Meisels reflects on his experience at Dentistry, offers advice for incoming students and shares what alumni should know about today’s students.

What inspired you to run for President of the Dentistry Students' Society, and what does this opportunity mean to you personally?

Starting my first year of dental school, I was struck by the level of cohesion among students, not only within each class but across the Faculty as a whole. There was a genuine sense that students supported one another and took pride in being part of the U of T Dentistry community. After serving as class president during my first three years, I had the opportunity to contribute to that community firsthand and saw how meaningful student leadership can be in shaping the dental school experience. Running for DSS President felt like a natural next step and an opportunity to give back to a community that has given me so much. Personally, it is a tremendous privilege to represent my peers and help ensure that every student feels heard, supported, and proud to be part of our Faculty.

Community is such an important part of the student experience. How do you hope to foster connection and belonging within the Faculty of Dentistry?

One of the things that makes our Faculty unique is that, despite having four different classes at very different stages of their education, we share many of the same experiences and challenges. I want the DSS to continue creating opportunities that bring students together beyond their individual years, whether through social events, mentorship, student initiatives, or simply creating more opportunities for students to interact with one another. I look forward to continuing to support the Faculty’s annual Dentantics, Holiday Dinners, Awards Nights, and other events that help foster a strong sense of community beyond our academic and clinical education. I also think belonging comes from knowing that your voice matters. An important part of my role is making sure students feel comfortable bringing forward their ideas and concerns and know that the DSS will advocate on their behalf. My goal is for every student to feel that they are not simply attending U of T Dentistry, but are genuinely part of its community.

What are you most excited about as the new academic year kicks off?

I am most excited to see everyone back in the building and watch the Faculty come alive again. Each September brings a completely different energy: a new class is beginning dental school, returning students are taking on new clinical and academic responsibilities, and our fourth-year students are entering their final year. For me personally, I am especially excited to work with the DSS executives and our class councils to build on the traditions students already love while also introducing new initiatives of our own. Knowing that this is my final year also makes me want to make the most of every opportunity and leave the student community even stronger than I found it.

What advice would you give to incoming students as they begin their journey at U of T Dentistry?

My biggest advice would be to embrace everything that comes with dental school, not just the academics. There will always be another exam to study for, competency to complete, or clinical requirement to think about, and it can be easy to become consumed by those things. Work hard and take your education seriously, but make time to get involved, attend events, meet students outside your class, and build relationships with the people around you. Some of my most meaningful experiences at U of T Dentistry have happened outside of the classroom and clinic. Four years may seem like a long time on your first day, but it goes by remarkably quickly. Make the most of it.

What has been a transformative experience for you at U of T Dentistry?

One of the most transformative experiences for me was seeing my very first patient in clinic. After spending the first two years of dental school learning in classrooms and simulation clinics, there was something completely different about sitting down with a real patient who was trusting me with their care. I still remember the mix of excitement and nervousness I felt walking into that appointment and realizing that everything I had learned up to that point now carried a very real responsibility. That experience changed the way I viewed my education. Exams and requirements were no longer simply milestones to complete; the knowledge and skills I was developing directly affected the person sitting in my chair. Since then, every patient has taught me something new, but I don't think I will ever forget the first one who made me truly feel like I was becoming a dentist.

What would you like our alumni to know about today’s U of T Dentistry students?

I would want our alumni to know that the sense of community and pride they associate with U of T Dentistry remains incredibly strong today. Our students are ambitious and committed to becoming excellent clinicians, but what impresses me most is how willing they are to support one another along the way. They mentor students in younger years, participate in research, volunteer in the community, take on leadership roles, and contribute to the Faculty in countless ways outside of their academic responsibilities. I think our alumni would be proud to see that while dentistry and dental education continue to evolve, the values that have made this Faculty such a strong community continue to be carried forward by its students.