Every year, experienced dentists from around the world leave behind established practices, professional reputations, and familiar cultures for an opportunity that exists in only a handful of places in the United States. One of those places is the UNLV School of Dental Medicine.
From Mongolia and Mexico to India and China, internationally-trained dentists arrive in Las Vegas carrying years of clinical experience and a shared goal: earning the credentials needed to practice dentistry in the United States.
Through UNLV’s highly selective Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) program, eight to 12 dentists are admitted annually from hundreds of applicants worldwide. Over a 24-month intensive curriculum, these experienced clinicians train alongside traditional dental students to learn the clinical, ethical, cultural, and regulatory dimensions of practicing dentistry in the United States.
Applications have more than doubled, rising from just over 200 applicants to more than 400. “Word has spread about what we're doing at UNLV," according to Dr. William Leavitt, DDS program director. "We're expanding the program because of that demand.”
UNLV offers a unique educational environment where global perspectives meet local impact. Their journeys have taken them across continents, cultures, and healthcare systems, but they all found their way to the UNLV School of Dental Medicine.
Meet five recent graduates whose stories reflect the global reach of UNLV’s DDS program — and the shared commitment to care that connects them.
From Mongolia to Nevada: A Path Shaped by Compassion
Dr. Uyanga Jargalsaikhan's dental career began with curiosity over why her cousin lost a baby tooth. Growing up in Mongolia, she remembers being fascinated when her cousin lost a baby tooth. She wanted to understand how teeth developed, why they fell out, and what caused them to decay.
That early interest eventually led her to dental school in her native country of Mongolia. She worked alongside U.S. military dentists stationed in the country. Their clinical expertise, advanced technology, and patient-centered approach left a lasting impression and inspired her to pursue advanced training in the United States.
At the UNLV School of Dental Medicine, she found a supportive learning environment, diverse patient population, and extensive clinical opportunities that helped prepare her for U.S. practice.
One moment in particular reinforced why she chose the profession: a patient with multiple sclerosis and severe dental disease needed all remaining teeth removed before receiving dentures. Delivering the news was difficult. “It was one of the most difficult conversations I have ever had with a patient, and we both cried,” Jargalsaikhan said.
Months later, after surgery and rehabilitation, she delivered the patient’s new dentures. “She was incredibly happy with the result, and we both cried again, this time tears of joy.”
Today, Jargalsaikhan is establishing her career in Wisconsin and hopes to expand her skills in implant and oral surgery while serving patients with the same compassion that shaped her journey.
From Punjab to Valedictorian: Expanding a Mission of Care
Growing up in rural Punjab, India, Dr. Sohail Arora witnessed how limited access to dental care affected entire communities. Many delayed treatment because providers were scarce, and oral health was often overshadowed by more immediate concerns. Those experiences sparked a career dedicated to service in dentistry.
Before arriving at UNLV School of Dental Medicine, Arora was already practicing in India and serving orthodontic patients in his community. His decision to pursue dentistry in the United States was driven not by a desire to leave that mission behind, but to expand it. “The need for compassionate dental care exists everywhere, regardless of borders,” Arora said.
At UNLV, he adapted to a new healthcare system, clinical protocols, and patient population. He excelled academically and clinically, becoming the valedictorian of the DDS class of 2026.
One patient interaction during an emergency room rotation continues to motivate him. After helping restore a patient’s smile following a traumatic dental injury, Arora saw how dentistry can restore not only oral health but confidence.
“What stayed with me most was seeing the patient smile again at the end of treatment," he said. "That moment had a deep impact on me because it reminded me how much dentistry can influence a person’s confidence and emotional well-being, not just their oral health. Even today, whenever I feel exhausted or discouraged during difficult situations, I remember that smile.”
Arora hopes to continue serving underserved communities while remaining committed to compassion and service.
Back to Her Roots: Dentistry as a Bridge Between Cultures
Although born in Las Vegas, Dr. Evelyn Avalos spent much of her childhood growing up in Mexico, where she developed a deep appreciation for family, community, and culture. She said,
“Mexico is a beautiful country with a rich culture, and I'm very grateful to my parents for giving me the opportunity to grow up there while also making it possible for me to return to the U.S. and build my career here.”
As a child, she fractured her two front teeth, an experience that showed her how much a smile can shape confidence and self-image. That knowledge and her cultural upbringing have shaped her approach as a clinician.
She said, “I love my country and the people in it. One thing I appreciate about our culture is how warm and welcoming we are toward others. I try to bring that same approach into my patient care and always make my patients feel comfortable, respected, and understood.”
At UNLV School of Dental Medicine, she said, “my classmates were incredibly welcoming, and from the first day of school I felt grateful to be part of the program.”
One patient reinforced her understanding of dentistry’s broader impact. An older woman faithfully attended appointments, and in Avalos’ words, “She enjoyed coming to the dental school because it gave her the opportunity to talk with someone and connect with people. That experience reminded me that dentistry is about much more than treating teeth,” Avalos said.
Her long-term goal is to open a practice focused on high-quality care and lasting patient relationships. “Pursuing dentistry in the U.S. has allowed me to challenge myself, continue developing my skills, and work toward the future I envisioned for myself," she said.
Building Trust Through Language and Cultural Connection
Dr. Bindu Sathyan became the first dentist in her family after witnessing the oral health challenges her father faced while growing up in southern India. High fluoride levels in groundwater and limited access to care contributed to widespread dental problems in the region and helped shape her decision to pursue dentistry in both India and the U.S.
She said, “Transitioning from one country to another and adapting to a new environment was undoubtedly one of the most challenging periods of my dental career. However, at UNLV School of Dental Medicine, I found support through the friendships I built and the encouragement I received from faculty mentors. Through these connections, and by documenting my dental school journey on my Instagram page StepUpDentistry, I realized that I truly belonged here.”
During an emergency rotation, she treated a patient who spoke only Hindi and was extremely anxious. "Being able to communicate with her in Hindi immediately helped build trust and calm her fears," Sathyan said. “I performed a surgical extraction while continuously explaining each step. After the procedure, I reviewed post-op instructions with her in Hindi to ensure she fully understood.”
The experience reinforced to her the value of language and cultural understanding in healthcare.
Following graduation, Sathyan hopes to continue practicing endodontics while serving underserved communities in the Seattle area, where she first volunteered after moving to the United States.
Finding Confidence — and Community — Across Cultures
Dr. Jiaxin Hu needed orthodontic treatment as a teenager, but there were few orthodontists in her hometown in China. Her parents drove her more than an hour for appointments, an experience that sparked her interest in dentistry and ultimately led her to become an orthodontist.
After practicing in Shenzhen, she pursued advanced training in the United States to broaden her clinical knowledge and gain experience in comprehensive care.
At UNLV School of Dental Medicine, the clinical side felt familiar, but cultural adaptation was equally important. “Clinically, I was comfortable discussing dental treatment, but I was still getting used to small talk and cultural topics when patients talked about sports, movies, or musicals,” Hu said.
Over time, those challenges became opportunities for growth. She credits classmates and faculty with helping her prepare for the ADEX licensure exam and making her feel supported. “That experience made me feel that I truly belonged at SDM because of the strong sense of teamwork and support,” she said.
Hu hopes to become an international dental educator and mentor, strengthening collaboration between the United States and China while supporting future generations of dental professionals.
“I have a lot of patience when patients need translators or extra time for communication because I personally understand how difficult it can be to express yourself in another language and navigate a different culture.”
