The U of M Dentistry4Youth club (UMD4Y) drew high school and university students to its event on Nov. 24, creating a space for aspiring dental professionals to connect with the team behind the new student-led initiative.

Heba Ismael and Ejlal Chioua, UMD4Y co-presidents and co-founders, said the purpose of the event was to launch the club to students. They presented the team and the year’s goals, alongside a hands-on workshop featuring soap carving and clay tooth modeling. These activities were designed to give students “a fun glimpse into real dental skills” and highlight the club’s commitment to making dentistry “both accessible and engaging through real, skill-building experiences.”

Chioua and Ismael explained that UMD4Y is a student-focused group providing “mentorship, shadowing and meaningful opportunities for growth.”

While university students gain leadership experience, the primary focus is guiding high school students early in their exploration. With guidance from pre-dental student mentors, the club aims to support high school students as they explore their academic and career paths by offering interactive workshops and sessions with guest speakers to inform those decisions.

Chioua and Ismael reported an enthusiastic response to the launch. “The turnout was amazing, [tickets] were completely sold out,” they said, and noted the energy was particularly high during the soap carving portion of the event. They found it “inspiring to see motivated students come together for a hands-on, engaging experience.”

The co-president founders said students and community members can expect “more shadowing opportunities,” mentorship visits to high schools and elementary schools, as well as interactive events featuring dental students and professionals from a wide range of backgrounds. They promised future workshops will offer insight into the “dental school environment and the skill-building that comes with it.”

Chioua and Ismael confirmed the club is officially UMSU-approved. They added, “Stay tuned for those exciting opportunities.”

Students and community members can join UMD4Y via the link in the club’s Instagram bio @dentistry4youth_umanitoba.