Dental Student Profile

Hunt School of Dental Medicine Student Profile: Sana Asghar Khan

“I look forward to helping the community while participating in hands-on learning that will eventually allow me to help people anywhere.”

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

My parents immigrated to the U.S. from Pakistan, so growing up in the smaller East Texas town of Tyler, Texas, it was always important to me to maintain my family’s language and culture. I attended the same school until I graduated and stayed in my hometown to complete a bachelor’s degree in biology with a minor in biochemistry at the University of Texas at Tyler. I became a registered dental assistant and worked at a general dentistry clinic for a year until starting dental school.

Who or what moment inspired you to go into dentistry?

My grandfather was a doctor in Pakistan. He came from an uneducated family and worked several jobs to put himself through medical school. Then he opened a hospital and helped countless people. Both of my older brothers followed his path and went to medical school. I wanted to help people the same way but with my own passion, and that passion is dentistry.

What impact do you hope to have on the community as a dental student at the Hunt School of Dental Medicine? And after?

Having been to Pakistan and seen true poverty and helplessness, I have a strong desire to help people with lesser means. I look forward to helping the community while participating in hands-on learning that will eventually allow me to help people anywhere.

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

After years of shadowing, volunteering and dental assisting, the hands-on, early clinic involvement was what I most looked forward to when I applied. I’m also looking forward to learning medical Spanish, which will allow me to help even more people.

How does it feel to be part of the inaugural class at the Hunt School of Dental Medicine?

It’s an honor to be a part of the inaugural class as we pave the way for future classes.

What challenges have made you who you are?

I was accepted to the Hunt School of Dental Medicine after the third time of applying to dental schools. Since high school, I have volunteered and shadowed in dental offices, took the Dental Admission Test twice, took post-bachelor degree classes, became a registered dental assistant and worked at a dental clinic for a year. I never gave up.

Do you have any family you would like to mention?

My husband Faraz Khan moved to El Paso with me and is loving and supportive in everything I do. He also can’t wait to schedule his dental appointments with me one day.

What is something about you people might not know?

I have been to 10 different countries and look forward to continuing my travels.

What do you like most about El Paso, or do you find unique about the region?

East Texas is very green, so I miss the greenery, but El Paso’s mountains and sunsets are the most beautiful things.