Today we’d like to introduce you to Dr. Poonam Jain.
Hi Dr. Jain, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I was born in Punjab, India. My father was in the Air Force, so we moved every three years or so.
I attended Maulana Azad Medical College dental school in Delhi and did a year of residency
at the All-India Institute of Medical Sciences, an institution of national prominence established by an Act
of Parliament to demonstrate a high standard of Medical Education in India. I got married right after
graduation from dental soon and our first daughter was born during my residency.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
We moved to the U.S. in 1992, so my husband, an orthopedic surgeon, could further his education by pursuing a fellowship.
Considered an international dentist, it was a very long and difficult road for me to obtain a license. Even
though I had graduated at the top of my class in India, I was told I may never get licensed in the US. I
took my national boards in dentistry at Southern Illinois University School of Dental Medicine in 1992
and 1993, followed by the GRE and TOEFL exams.
In 1995, we moved to Iowa City, Iowa, where my husband pursued another fellowship in
hematology/oncology, and I received a master’s degree and certificate in operative dentistry. In 1996,
he was offered a position in Staunton, Illinois, and while he moved to Staunton, I stayed back in Iowa
with our two young daughters to finish my program. That was a very tough year! In 1997, I was offered
the position of assistant professor at the SIU School of Dental Medicine and moved to Staunton to join
my husband. After completing of a bench test and a patient and manikin-based regional licensing board
exam in 1997, I finally obtained my IL license to practice dentistry!
Over the 20 years of teaching at SIU, I obtained tenure and rose to the rank of Professor. In 2011, I
completed my M.P.H. degree at SLU, while working full-time at SIU and pursuing a part-time private
practice.
In 2016, I heard about the new dental school that ATSU had set up in Kirksville with the clinic in St. Louis. Seeking a new challenge and opportunity, I left SIU and joined ATSU as Vice Dean for Clinical education, operations, and community partnerships. The early months were a huge challenge since we were preparing for our first accreditation site visit. In early 2017, we obtained full accreditation.
My role here at ATSU MOSDOH has been incredibly gratifying. ATSU truly embodies its mission in its operations. Collectively, we change lives. The gift of a smile, the ability to eat, or once again interact with family and friends without embarrassment is truly life-changing. Medicaid helps to cover some of the costs, and we continue to rely on generous donations. If you are interested in contributing to support the delivery of high-quality necessary oral health care, please visit www.atsu.edu.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I serve as the vice dean of clinical affairs and advanced dental education. This involves managing clinical operations at the St. Louis Dental Center, overseeing clinical progress and assessments for dental students, working to obtain accreditation, and implementing advanced dental education programs. We recently received accreditation for our international dentist program, and we are in the process of interviewing for the first cohort of students from other countries who still start in January 2023.
One of my passions is mentoring middle and high school students to inspire them to achieve their
true potential and realize the intricate connections between our physical and mental health as
well as our oral and overall health. It is absolutely wonderful to inspire middle and high school
kids to pursue health professions, as we need more diverse, capable young people in the field.
Mentoring and teaching energize me!
We’d be interested to hear your thoughts on luck and what role, if any, you feel it’s played for you.
Luck is what I consider “the universe,” and it has always brought some of the most amazing people into my life. Whether you call it luck or the universe looking out for you, I truly believe in it. For example, while we were living in Springfield, IL, we met several medical residents from Peru and the chief resident had his younger brother over for a visit, who introduced me to his program director at the University of Iowa, which in turn, led to my application and ultimately a position in the graduate program in Operative Dentistry. Remember, this was pre-Internet days, and I’d been writing letters to no avail. I’ve never forgotten those instances of chance and the people who have helped me get to where I am today.
Later, I was able to follow my other passion and obtain a master’s degree in public health at
Saint Louis University.
In 2014, I met a wonderful yoga teacher in Alton, IL, and later pursued training and obtained my certification as a yoga teacher, which I think of as my hobby. Yoga is now part of my being. I always say in my classes that if you wish well for others around you, “the universe” will always take care of you.
Contact Info:
- Website: stldentalcenter.org
- Instagram: instagram.com/atstilluniversity
- Facebook: facebook.com/atstilluniversity
- Twitter: @ATSU_news
Image Credits
Jeannie Liautaud Maul of Jeannie Liautaud Photography, Sarah Carmody photography, Dreamline Photos, A.T. Still University, Fatima and dental students
