Dental Student Profile

Hunt School of Dental Medicine Student Profile: Amjad Khuffash

“I hope to improve the oral health of El Paso residents and plan to bring the skills I learn back to the Rio Grande Valley after dental school. Considering my underserved homeland, it only makes sense for me to return and improve the oral health of the beautiful city that I call home.”

Tell us a little about your background. Where did you grow up? Where did you go to school?

I’m a Palestinian-American born and raised in McAllen, Texas. This area is pretty much as South Texas as possible. I grew up about a 40-minute drive away from Progresso, Mexico, for reference. I attended school in McAllen until high school, and then I took the bus to Mercedes, Texas, to attend the South Texas High School for Health Professions. After that, I attended the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley and graduated summa cum laude with a degree in biology and minors in both psychology and philosophy.

Who or what moment inspired you to go into dentistry?

Some of the most significant factors that inspired me to pursue dentistry were poverty and the lack of necessary dental care I experienced growing up. I was teased constantly throughout my upbringing for having crooked teeth and rarely visited a dentist because my parents couldn’t afford it. I hope to bring affordable dental care to the residents of the Rio Grande Valley after attending dental school in El Paso, a very similar demographic of people both ethnically and socioeconomically.

Why is the Hunt School of Dental Medicine the best place for you?

The Hunt School of Dental Medicine was one of my top choices for dental school because its vision, goals and mission statements align with my own.

Do you have any mentors who have helped you along the way?

Dr. Carlos Cruz, Dr. Rami Alanbari and Dr. Ahmad Manasir were the bulk of the dentists who I shadowed in the Rio Grande Valley, and I would like to applaud them for showing me the beauty that comes with quality dental work and care. In addition, Dr. Alexander Stehn, Dr. Anthony DeSantis and Dr. Megan Keniry have been my supporters since the very beginning.

Do you have any family you would like to mention?

I want to thank my parents, Majed and Shada Khuffash, and my siblings (Ahmad, Latifah and Waaed) for their love and unwavering support. I would also like to thank my older sister, Shahed Khuffash, for always supporting me in attaining my academic and personal goals. Finally, I would like to thank my best friend Francisco Xavier Elisarraras for always motivating me and supporting my dreams.

Where do you see yourself five years after you complete dental school?

I see myself practicing in the Rio Grande Valley, possibly as a specialist. I look forward to improving the oral health of my homeland and making a difference for the future of oral health care.

What is something people might not know about you?

My high school “promposal” video. I dressed up like Aladdin and asked a girl to prom. The video went viral on Twitter.