LEXINGTON, Ky. — For Lara Hasouneh, a first-year student at the University of Kentucky College of Dentistry, the journey to becoming a dentist has been shaped by curiosity, determination and a willingness to embrace new opportunities.
Raised in Elizabethtown, Ky., by parents who immigrated to the United States, Hasouneh grew up with a strong appreciation for education and the opportunities it could create. As the first in her family to attend college, her educational journey has been filled with milestones that hold special meaning for both her and her family.
Hasouneh shares what she's learned along the way, what dental school has meant to her and how her experiences are shaping the dentist she hopes to become.
Tell us a little about yourself. What sparked your interest in becoming a dentist?
I’ve always been drawn to healthcare, but dentistry really stood out to me because it combined so many things I enjoyed. I love working with my hands and being creative, but I also wanted a career where I could build relationships with people and have a direct impact on their health. Once I started shadowing and working as a dental assistant, my exposure to the profession made it much easier to picture myself doing it for the rest of my life.
Take us back to the moment you learned you had been accepted to the UK College of Dentistry. What was your reaction, and how did you share the news with your family?
It was honestly a little surreal. You spend so long working toward dental school that eventually it starts to feel like this thing that is always somewhere in the future. Then suddenly I had an acceptance in front of me and realized I was actually going to be a dentist. UK was also where I did my undergraduate degree, so finding out that I would be coming back for dental school made it even more special. Telling my family was my favorite part because they knew how much work had gone into getting there.
What does being a first-generation college student mean to you and your family?
To me, being first-generation means that a lot of the things I get to experience now are firsts for my family too. My parents are first-generation immigrants and built their lives around giving my brother and me opportunities they didn’t necessarily have themselves. So when I graduated from college, got into dental school and eventually put on my white coat, those moments didn’t feel like they belonged only to me. My family was experiencing them with me.
Growing up, did you always envision yourself attending college and eventually pursuing an advanced degree? What experiences or people have helped shape those ambitions?
I always saw college as part of my future. Growing up, my parents taught me to take education seriously and to never limit myself based on what had or hadn’t been done before me. I think that gave me a lot of confidence to pursue opportunities even when the path wasn’t always familiar. I’ve also been someone who genuinely enjoys learning and challenging myself, so continuing my education felt natural to me. I didn’t always know exactly what that would look like or where it would lead, but I knew I wanted to keep growing, learning and pursuing something that I found meaningful.
As the first in your family to navigate higher education, what challenges did you encounter, and how did you work through them?
A lot of it was trial and error. There were definitely times when I didn’t know what I was supposed to be doing or even what questions I should be asking. I learned pretty quickly that if I didn’t understand something, I needed to ask. I spent a lot of time reaching out to professors, advisors, dentists and students ahead of me. Eventually, I became much more comfortable putting myself out there and seeking opportunities instead of waiting for someone to tell me what my next step should be.
Who has been most influential in your educational journey? How have they encouraged or supported you along the way?
My parents have been my biggest supporters from the beginning. They may not have always known the details of what I was studying or how the dental school application process worked, but they never questioned whether I could do it. I’ve also been really fortunate to meet people throughout my education who were willing to guide me. Some of the most important advice I’ve received has come from professors, dentists, mentors and students who simply took the time to answer my questions or point me in the right direction.
Looking back, what moment or accomplishment makes you most proud of how far you've come?
I don’t know if I could choose just one accomplishment. I think I’m most proud of how willing I’ve been to keep challenging myself. I earned my associate degree while I was still in high school, finished my bachelor’s degree in two years, spent time studying Arabic abroad, completed a year of Islamic studies before dental school, and now I’m in my first year at UKCD. None of those things were necessarily part of one perfect plan. I just kept following opportunities that mattered to me and trying to make the most of them.
Now that you're a first-year dental student, what has your experience at UK been like? What has been especially meaningful or exciting about this next chapter?
One of the best parts has been finally getting to use my hands and start developing the skills I’ll use as a dentist, especially after years of pure didactics. Being in sim lab makes everything we’re learning feel much more real, and getting opportunities to work with actual patients this early on, like during our SEAL trip or Saturday Morning Clinic, has been especially meaningful. Those experiences are a reminder of what all the studying is ultimately for. I’ve also really loved getting to know my class. There’s something special about going through such a demanding experience alongside people who are working toward the same goal, and I’m grateful to be surrounded by classmates who make even the busiest days enjoyable.
How has your journey as a first-generation college student influenced the kind of dentist you hope to become and the difference you want to make in the lives of others?
It has made me think a lot about how it feels to enter a space where you don’t automatically understand how everything works. I think patients experience that all the time in healthcare. Things that seem routine to a provider can be completely unfamiliar or overwhelming to the person sitting in the chair. I want to remember that and be the kind of dentist who takes the time to explain things, listens well and makes people feel comfortable asking questions. I also hope to use my career to serve communities where access to care is limited and where I can make a difference beyond my own practice.
When you think about other first-generation students who may be considering a career in dentistry, what would you want them to know about what's possible?
I would want them to know that being first-generation should never make them feel like a career in dentistry is out of reach. There may be parts of the process that feel unfamiliar, and you may have to be more intentional about finding mentors, asking questions and seeking out opportunities, but there are so many people willing to help if you reach out. I’ve learned that you don’t need to come from a family of doctors or dentists to belong in this field. Your background can actually become one of your strengths and shape the way you connect with and care for others. I hope other first-generation students can see people with stories like theirs pursuing careers like dentistry and know that there is a place for them here too.