Work Out, Don’t Stress Out: ASB Clubs Keep Dental Students Healthy

For UCLA School of Dentistry students, it’s not just their minds that are constantly flexing but also their muscles. Two Associated Student Body-affiliated groups – the Dental Golf Club at UCLA and Flossin' and Fitness – are taking the dental students out of scrubs and into their athlete personas.

At face value, there isn’t much of a connection between the game of golf and the practice of dentistry. However, Dustin Tran, D.D.S. ’25, and Kevin Tong, D.D.S. ‘27 founded the Dental Golf Club to help the SOD community destress and connect by being more active through the game of golf

“Golf is particularly beneficial for dental students because it promotes physical activity in a low-impact, relaxing way while also improving focus and patience,” said Tran. “These skills are essential in dentistry!”

On Oct. 12 at Encino Golf Course, the club held its Scramble Tournament, with 44 students, faculty, and alumni participating. After 18 holes, the foursome of Kevin Seto, D.D.S. ‘14, Brandon Seto, D.D.S. ‘08, Mark Ortega, D.D.S. ‘15, and Dr. Paul Campbell, D.D.S. ‘84, were crowned champions. In true dental fashion, the tournament winners took home new surgical loupes!

“We are especially proud to have introduced so many people to the game of golf … We believe golf is a uniquely relaxing sport, and adopting it as a hobby can greatly benefit mental health during the demanding journey of dental school,” said Tran.

The club looks forward to future tournaments with more lessons, practice sessions, and socials along the way.

Another ASB student organization, Flossin’ and Fitness, is also helping students learn how to cope with dental school stressors through body movement. President and Founder Ayato Shigihara, D.D.S. ‘27, shared that the aptly named club “was created to help dental students, faculty, and staff prioritize their health and well-being amidst the intensity of dental school.”

Shigihara and fellow D2 Colleen Luong, Flossin’s event coordinator, shared that they hoped this club would be a space for students to focus on their overall health by engaging in physical activities outside the classroom. Among those were two picturesque and local hikes - one over the summer, another this fall - organized in collaboration with the School’s Integrative Mind-Body Wellness Initiative and the faculty/staff Culture Coalition.

“From faculty to students to even a few furry friends, we were able to connect and learn more about one another on a personal level,” Luong reflected.

Having a cross-section of students across the four class years allowed for informal mentorship sessions during the hike. Both leaders also remark that they have noticed an improvement in people's mental health and stress levels after participating in the club’s activities.

Flossin’ and Fitness has several other initiatives to further its mission of helping including the inaugural Lab Olympics and social runs around campus led by Dr. Marc Hayashi.

“Dr. Hayashi believes in the importance of balance and maintaining a healthy lifestyle, and has encouraged us to manage the demands of dental school while also prioritizing our well-being,” Shigihara stated. “He leads by example, showing us that even with a busy faculty schedule, it’s possible to incorporate fitness, wellness, and community into our lives.

Whether on the links or the hiking trail, Dental Bruins have demonstrated a commitment to personal wellness. Knowing that a healthy practitioner is essential to both providing quality patient care and career longevity, ASB organizations like the Dental Golf Club and Flossin' and Fitness are empowering students to build healthy habits today that will help them accomplish these goals tomorrow.