Next Gen of the Month is a monthly Q&A with a dental student or new dentist where we ask them about their experiences and accomplishments thus far in their dentistry journey. This month we are featuring Kristian Jamieson, a First Nations dental student and marathon winner, who hopes to give back to his community and inspire others to pursue their dentistry dreams.
Why did you pursue dentistry?
My decision to pursue dentistry stemmed from a high school assignment. I was asked to design and present a potential career path to achieve a specific profession. I immediately began delving into my past experiences. I remembered all the enthralling experiences I had encountered as a patient and spectator at the dental office. After careful reflection, I realized the wondrous impact dentists and their teams have on serving their community. I viewed my dentist as my role model and, more importantly, my friend. This moment was the first time I considered a healthcare provider my friend, and I instantly appreciated the importance of building a unique rapport with each patient and creating an environment of safety and trust.
My vision of dentistry extends beyond one-on-one patient care to encompass the entire office dynamic. The seamless and fascinating office environment I had the privilege to observe was a sight to behold. The display of everyone, each with their unique responsibilities, working together to provide exceptional and professional patient care was a dynamic I was eager to be a part of. My experiences in team sports, musical bands, and theatre have equipped me with the skills to be a team player, leader, and, most importantly, adaptable. I am confident in my ability to contribute to and thrive in such an environment.
Conversations about dental experiences often reveal many people’s negative perceptions about dentists. I am eager to overcome this challenge. My goal as a future healthcare provider is to make patients feel safe and uniquely special, regardless of their past experiences, through exceptional care and professional service. Restoring a smile and instilling confidence in my patients is a profoundly fulfilling privilege. It is this joy in my work that I bring to my profession every day.
What inspired you to start running marathons and triathlons?
My motives for endurance sports are multifactorial. These include honouring my family legacy, pushing myself beyond my perceived limits, and, ultimately, pursuing the best version of myself. My philosophy is that a strong body equates to a strong mind and that the lessons learned through physical pursuit, such as discipline, perseverance, and resilience, are easily transferable to one’s professional and personal life, empowering us to overcome any challenge.
As an adolescent, I became increasingly intrigued with the running career of my great-great-grandfather, Tom Longboat. His legacy, his triumphs at the 1907 Boston Marathon, his Olympic feats, his service to Canada during WWI, and his place in Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame are not just historical facts but a part of my family’s story that I sincerely appreciate and feel connected to.
I take tremendous inspiration from this and look to follow in his footsteps by competing in local and worldwide marathons, with the 2025 Boston Marathon on the agenda!
The marathon represents the pinnacle of endurance sports and is an outlet that gives me purpose outside the classroom. Mastery of the marathon is a lifelong pursuit that allows me to chase a better version of myself each day continuously. I am thankful for how running has changed my life, and my goal is to inspire others to chase the dreams they are passionate about.
My triathlon journey is a recent blossom. It began as another way to get outside my comfort zone and stay ambitious. Training for three sports simultaneously while juggling school has been a big learning curve, and I quickly thought I was biting off more than I could chew! Swimming and cycling were two disciplines I needed to gain experience with. I learned that being in running shape is entirely different from being in swimming and cycling shape.
Ultimately, the marathon and Ironman triathlon are two endeavors that scare me. Still, I love to dream big and immerse myself in challenging, thrill-seeking situations. The principles one learns along the way: discipline, consistency, refusal to give up, etc., are qualities that are transferable to all aspects of life. These attributes will propel me throughout my dental career.
Do you have any tips for balancing a busy student schedule with activities outside the classroom?
I have found success in balancing a busy schedule by maintaining an early to bed early to rise regimen. The early bird lifestyle allows me to finish my run/training before morning classes, which sets the pace for me to tackle the remaining tasks for that day. I may work in reverse on special occasions like an exam, studying early in the morning, and training in the evening. No matter what works for you, flexibility and adaptability are key! A dental student’s life gets hectic quickly, and it is easy to feel overwhelmed. On busier days, you have to get creative with your time management, and this often requires sacrificing leisure time, planning your schedule several days in advance, and finding pockets of spare time between classes. Maintaining a consistent effort each day and avoiding procrastination have been the pillars of my success during my first year at Schulich.
What’s been your favourite and least favourite course to take so far?
Restorative dentistry was my favourite course and the biggest learning curve as a D1 student. It was the first time I felt like a practising dentist. I vividly remember feeling like a kid on Christmas as I opened and explored all the tools in my locker waiting to be revealed. Over the months, I learned many avenues that can lead to the same finished product when restoring a tooth. A tooth can be restored in many ways depending on operator preference. Exploring various techniques and tailoring procedures to my liking was a thrilling experience.
The gradual progression I observed in my hand skills over the months was a confidence booster that motivated me to stay curious and want to excel in this field!
My least favourite course was pharmacology, but thankfully, my undergrad experience served me well. The biggest challenge I encountered was the volume and detail of content, paired with learning the nomenclature of pharmaceuticals. I advise students in this course to first direct their studying on the drug classifications before diving into each drug individually. It is easy to get lost in the minute details, and gaining an overall foundation is crucial to your understanding and memory consolidation. Continuous repetition through flashcards and list-making were two approaches I used for success in this course.
Who is your biggest inspiration?
My father is my biggest inspiration and my hero! From a young age, my father set the example, teaching me the value of working diligently and holding myself to a high standard. This meant striving to do my best in all realms of life, whether in the classroom, as an athlete, musician, brother, or soon-to-be healthcare provider. The knowledge and wisdom I have accrued from him as a child to adulthood is a priceless resource that has been a foundation for overcoming adversity, eliminating negativity, and believing in myself.
My family’s relentless sacrifices and unwavering support have formulated my successes thus far. Every day, I strive to honour and make my family proud.
What do you like to do for fun?
Hockey was a significant aspect of my life growing up. It’s a sport I have always loved and continue to enjoy. Having the opportunity to play for Schulich’s “Mighty Dents” hockey team was a highlight of my first year and is something I look forward to for my remaining time at Schulich.
As I’ve gotten older, I have become more serious with my running. During my first year at Schulich, I dedicated my free time to training for Hamilton’s “Around the Bay” race, North America’s oldest road race, with a distance of 35 km. I selected this race because my grandfather, Tom Longboat, won it in 1906. This year, 2024, I placed 29th overall out of 3581 participants. Immediately afterward, I jumped into training for the Niagara Ultra marathon in which I finished first overall this past June and qualified for the 2025 Boston and Chicago marathons.
Cycling and swimming are additional hobbies that have been great substitutes for my running. Running takes a significant toll on the body. Switching it up with low-impact sports like swimming and cycling allows my body time to recover while maintaining my fitness levels.
During the summer months, I enjoy playing the piano. Piano was a key aspect of my childhood and is deeply rooted in my family. Being back home, I have enjoyed playing alongside my sister and jamming with her and my father.
Favourite dental people/accounts to follow?
This past year, I have had the privilege of meeting and working closely alongside my classmate Parmeet Singh. His knowledge and skills were awe-inspiring for a first-year student, and anyone who knows him would vouch for that. I’ve learned a lot from him in and out of the classroom, and I’m lucky to call him my friend. Parmeet is a great resource for incoming students or organizations, especially in the areas of dental education and community outreach. The man’s a beauty across the board, and you can reach him on Instagram @parmeet.dds.
For a sneak peek into my future years at Schulich, I enjoy following third-year students @mahsapaydr_dds and @rachel. dentistry. They are just a message away for any advice or inspiration. For inspiration outside of Schulich, my go-to is @health_sormeh, a second-year Dalhousie student, and @drsanjmohanta, who has allowed me to volunteer at Toronto Rexdale Community Hub with @fillingthegapdental. All of these remarkable individuals can be reached on Instagram.
What are your hopes for post-graduation life?
Currently, I am networking with several offices in my hometown of Niagara Falls, where I plan to return and serve post-graduation. Pursuing a specialty or owning my practice is still on the table
Furthermore, I plan to serve my Native community in the Niagara region and mentor aspiring youth who wish to pursue dentistry or run like myself.
I plan to continue my quest in endurance sports, conquering marathons worldwide. I aim to run “the six world marathon majors” in Boston, Chicago, New York, Berlin, Tokyo, and London. Two of these are scheduled for 2025. Also on the bucket list is the dream to complete an ultra-marathon such as the notorious Leadville 100, a 100-mile race in the Rocky Mountains of Leadville, Colorado. I also can’t forget to include a few Ironman triathlons for the fun of it!
You can find Kristian on Instagram @kristianjamieson