Tiana Blount-Muscarella
Staff Writer
The study of dentistry is a uniquely combined science of service and artistry. It requires a deep understanding of medical knowledge, a commitment to helping others, and the creative skill to restore both function and confidence through a smile. The Pre-Dental Society serves as a community for students interested in dentistry, offering opportunities to learn, network, and get involved.
This society is run by President sophomore Mavrick Marini who is a biology major on a pre-dental track. He runs this side by side with the support of Vice-President sophomore, Alena Pezzoli and Co-President junior, Isabella Calvo.
“Pre-Dental society is a student-led organization dedicated to supporting inspiring dental professionals through academic resources, hands-on experience, community service and mentorship. We aim to foster a collaborative environment that prepares members for dental school and beyond,” Marini said.
This experience provides academic resources creating a collaborative environment to prepare members for dental school and beyond. The society was founded in 2016, but has been previously unrecognized, which has led to speculations of the society being a new club to the school. Due to current members overarching efforts and making the club more social and established, bringing back the attention to this society.
The society meets once a month, every second Thursday, 6–7 p.m. in the Citrus Building, with an upcoming meeting on Sept. 11. During these meetings the society collabs in a wide-scale of different activities such as skill-building workshops like suturing clinics, soap carving and even mirror work for hand skills. They also do discussions and networking with their partners in AED: Pre-Health Honors Club, alumni, current dental students and professionals. In addition, club members will go through the application and interview guidance to assist them for future endeavors.
This club is more than just guidance, it offers a community of support and opportunity. The organization helps members navigate the often-complicated path to dental school by connecting them with alumni, graduate students and practicing dentists.
By joining, you’ll gain a clearer understanding of the dental field and your future within it, build connections with peers who share your interests, and strengthen your chances of success, whether that means entering dental school, joining an existing practice, or even starting one of your own. All students are welcomed to join the society but is primarily geared toward pre-dental track majors.
“I value meeting peers with similar goals, sharing different experiences such as shadowing and discussing their passions of future plans in dentistry,” Co-President Isa Calvo said as she shared her love for the society.
Beyond the resources and community the Pre-Dental Society provides, many members are also driven by their own personal motivations for pursuing dentistry.
“I was drawn to dentistry because it offers a strong work-life balance and emphasizes hands-on, visual learning, which allows me to combine both social and practical aspects to succeed in the field. Beyond academics, I’m motivated by the desire to help people feel confident in their smiles,” Marini said,
The perspective displays how the Pre-Dental Society at Florida Southern not only equips students with practical tools for success but also fosters the personal motivations that drive their pursuit of dentistry.
Looking ahead into the future of the society aims to broaden its resources and deepen its relationships with more dental schools.
“Progressing onward we want to grow resources to present and expand connections with more post-grad dental schools. We have one strong connection program, LECOM, Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine, and hope to create more networks with similar programs,” Calvo said.
There are high hopes to continue on both a steady and increasing rate as long as future executive members keep the club social instead of keeping it under the radar.
The Pre-Dental Society serves as a pathway for students to grow academically, socially and professionally while preparing for a future in dentistry. The club encourages all students interested in the dental field to join and take advantage of the opportunities the society provides.
If you want to learn more and stay connected follow their instagram handle at @fsc_predentalsociety_.
