Contour® is the only news source dedicated to sharing the dental-student narrative and addressing their holistic needs as they prepare to enter the workforce as dental professionals. ASDA members receive Contour 10 times a year, with combined issues in June/July and November/December.
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November/December 2026 — Wellness in Dental School
As 2026 comes to a close, the November/December issue of Contour® shines a light on wellness in all its forms, from self-care to patient advocacy. “Dental school teaches us far more than how to complete procedures,” says Editor in Chief Esther Yu (Columbia ’27). “It teaches us how to listen, how to adapt and how to show up for people during moments that matter.”
Mental health is a key part of wellness for students. Jade Patel (Detroit Mercy ’27) discusses burnout and strategies to help ease the burden of academic pressure in dental school, and Tanvi Gupta (Houston ’29) examines mental health obstacles that healthcare workers face.
Naomi Shah’s (Penn Dental ’28) article shares strategies that dental students can use to prepare for unexpected curveballs after graduation, while Erica Julian (UCSF ’29) offers words of wisdom with incoming D1s.
Plus, if you’re looking for a getaway to recharge, let loose on the slopes in Salt Lake City with Jillian Lim’s (Utah ’28) weekend itinerary.
Check out this issue of Contour® to dive into the ways wellness plays into patient advocacy, mental health and life outside of dentistry.