Celebrating AGD’s 2024 Faculty Advisor of the Year: Dr. Sophia Khan

AGD student chapter faculty advisors play vital roles in the future of both the organization and the profession of general dentistry. They serve as the first introduction of AGD to dental students, letting them know how the organization can help them through dental school and after they’ve graduated. As mentors, faculty advisors also help guide the educational and career paths of their students, helping them figure out which options appeal most to them and where their clinical passions lie. The Faculty Advisor of the Year Award honors one AGD student chapter faculty advisor who provides their chapter with the best overall support and guidance. This year’s recipient, Sophia Khan, DDS, MS, is the director of student affairs and professionalism, an associate professor, and the AGD student chapter faculty advisor at the University of Colorado (CU) School of Dental Medicine as well as president of the Colorado AGD.

In their nomination for Khan, CU dental students Elle Bertuccelli and Devan Cruz said: “Dr. Khan’s mentoring went beyond the classroom when she resurrected the student chapter at the University of Colorado School of Dental Medicine. It has been 2.5 years since then, and she has garnered support and enthusiasm not only for the area of general dentistry, but also for the value of belonging to a national organization. With her full-time commitment to the dental school as an associate professor and the director of student affairs, as well as being a single mother of two children, president of the Colorado AGD and student chapter faculty advisor, she makes it a point to stay engaged with her students. She keeps us on task and gives us autonomy to make the club our own. Her energy is infectious and pushes us to do more and be more.”

AGD Impact spoke with Khan about her own path to becoming a dentist as well as her advice, both for fellow mentors and for new dentists.

AGD Impact: What inspired you to become a dentist?

Khan: Science runs in my blood — both of my parents are doctors — so healthcare was a natural path. My father, an orthopedic surgeon, navigated me toward dentistry because he felt my personality was suited to creating long-lasting relationships with my patients. My passion for science, helping others and working with my hands were all things I wanted to carry through my career. Lastly, the work-life balance would suit me in the future when I had a family, as he saw how much I enjoyed cooking and spending time with my family.

What led you to focus your dental career on the academic field?

It was pure happenstance! I thought I was done with school and was going to have a career in private practice. I was asked to teach at New York University (NYU), my alma mater, shortly after I graduated, and my mentors took me under their wings to “teach [me] how to teach.” I realized how much I enjoyed the interaction of discussing cases, being around my colleagues and mentoring students. I was also able to follow my passion of service through the various charitable organizations NYU worked with. It fulfilled me as a person. What started off as a part-time endeavor set me on a trajectory into a full-time career here at the CU School of Dental Medicine.

What do you believe are the most important aspects of mentoring dental students?

Be authentic, be open, and listen with understanding. Students look to us to motivate and offer constructive criticism. They depend on us to push them beyond their comfort zones and assist with weighing the pros and cons of decisions, whether it’s for their careers, personal lives or both. Being honest is hard, but, as long as students feel you have their best interests in mind, it can certainly lead to paths of growth and development.

I enjoyed private practice very much. However, I realized as a private practitioner I could not impact the dental profession as much as I could as an academician and leader. I believe we must provide students with strong clinical foundations and an emphasis on technology they can confidently apply when they graduate. A good mentor must understand the complex world we live in today and be able to relate to their students in order to facilitate students’ critical thinking when working with patients.

I am very fortunate to still be connected to my own mentors, to whom I continue to reach out. They vary in their experiences and fields of study, but, most importantly, they are accessible, honest and open. They share both their successes and their failures. My mentors keep me on track and hold me accountable.

How has AGD benefited you in your career, and how does it benefit dental students and new dentists?

I have been an AGD member since I was in my general practice residency program. At first, it was a place to track my continuing education (CE) credits and attain my Fellowship. Years later, I found myself organizing CE courses for the Colorado AGD. I am uniquely positioned as an associate professor at the CU School of Dental Medicine, allowing me to foster a network of alum dentists, colleagues and students. I revamped the student chapter at the school to help them understand the value of AGD membership: CE courses, support from colleagues and advocacy for our profession.

What advice do you have for dental students and new dentists? What advice do you have for other dentists who may be interested in becoming mentors?

Seek a mentor, be open, and don’t be afraid to be vulnerable. When choosing a mentor, look for someone whom you respect and feel comfortable confiding in. They do not necessarily all need to be in your field, either, because good mentors can help you develop diverse skills and offer an objective perspective on challenges and opportunities. They can help you to stay motivated and focused on your goals — personally and professionally — as well as provide valuable guidance from their own experiences. If you are interested in becoming a mentor, align yourself with organizations and/or dental schools. Students love to hear and see career dentists from all backgrounds. Not only does it create a network for them to learn from, it promotes growth for the organization by increasing camaraderie between senior and junior members and the dental profession.