Resident Spotlight: Jessica Hwang, DDS

Compiled by Dr. Priscilla L. Carpenter

Dr. Jessica Hwang is a first year endodontic resident at UCLA. We were lucky enough to catch up with her to have a chat.

The Paper Point: I appreciate you taking the time to do this interview, Jess. Dr. Hwang and I met in Austin, TX this past August for APICES. Let’s start with a little about you—and fill us in on how the transition from the east coast to the west coast was!
Dr. Hwang: Thanks so much, Priscilla. It was great meeting you at APICES! I graduated from Columbia Dental last year, and I can’t believe I’m halfway through my first year at UCLA Endodontics. The move from NYC to LA was not too bad, though I have to say I was both excited and nervous to move out of the NJ/NY area for the first time in my life. It was great timing that AAE24 was in LA, so my partner and I were able to hunt for our dream apartment which made the transition so much easier!

The Paper Point: I love that for you! I’m sure finding a place before the start of residency took a load off your shoulders, so you could just focus on being excited to start residency. Can you share what inspired you to pursue endodontics, and how your first year of residency is shaping up so far?
Dr. Hwang: In both my personal and professional journey, I can recall the successes and highs, but I’ve also had moments where things didn’t go as planned. It’s during those times—when I was given second chances—that I found the resilience and growth that brought me to where I am today. I’ve always been drawn to the idea of “saving teeth” through endodontics, but what I truly love is helping patients see root canals as a second chance for their teeth. My experiences working as a dental assistant and at the front desk during my gap year and while in dental school gave me first-hand exposure to many facets and specialties of dentistry. It really helped to pursue my passion for endodontics.
The first year of residency has been a whirlwind—busy but incredibly rewarding. I feel so grateful to be at UCLA, and one of the best parts is undoubtedly the supportive and inspiring community of residents here.

The Paper Point: A second chance, I like that perspective! So tell us, what has been the most rewarding and the most challenging aspect of your residency so far?
Dr. Hwang: I’ll start with the most challenging—I think that every endodontist can relate that residency is an extremely busy time. Between juggling a full clinical schedule with classes, literature review, research and life, time management has been essential.
The most rewarding aspect has been the personal and professional transition that I’ve experienced thus far. I went straight through from dental school to residency, I have been able to pinpoint my transition in my identity from student dentist to doctor/specialist-in-training. It is not only rewarding to see my own confidence grow as a provider, but also that my clinical outcomes are rapidly improving for my patients. It is truly an honor to be able to provide quality care to my patients through endodontics.

The Paper Point: I can definitely relate to that. Coming from dental school to residency can be tough, but the evolution is even more incredible! How has your perspective on endodontics evolved since starting your program?
Dr. Hwang: It’s one thing to understand that endodontics is challenging, and another to experience it firsthand in residency. I spent years chairside, assisting with root canals, but stepping into the doctor’s role and looking through the microscope is a completely different perspective. This experience has given me an even deeper respect for my mentors, who make it all look effortless, and more compassion for myself as I navigate this steep learning curve.
Residency is a journey filled with highs and lows, and every step is a reminder that mastery—whether it’s tackling curved, calcified canals or complex apical splits—takes time and persistence. These callouses, both literal and figurative, aren’t built overnight!

The Paper Point: Absolutely! I think we can all relate to the challenge of endodontics. Nothing humbles you quicker than a difficult tooth. They say that it takes 10,000 hours to become an expert at something. So just remember to tackle it “one hour” at a time.
Speaking of being an expert, your dental social media account is amazing! What advice would you give to other dental professionals or students considering starting a social media account? What motivated you to start sharing your dental journey and expertise online?
Dr. Hwang: Thank you! I definitely don’t keep up with it like I should, but I do think that social media for dentists is a great way to keep connected with colleagues old and new, other specialists/practitioners, and even patients and/or the public. I joke that Instagram is the “LinkedIn for dentists,” and I even found my dental assisting jobs through it! Even if you may not post very often, I often talk to other residents and endodontists online which has led to real-life connections. There are also so many informative accounts as well,
whether related to Endodontics or other areas of dentistry, so it’s a fun way to learn and connect. Don’t feel pressured into having a big following or being an “influencer” to reap the benefits of joining an online community.

The Paper Point: I love that! Not everyone can work part time while attending dental school. You’re awesome! Can you talk to us about how working in a dental office during COVID-19 shaped your perspective?
Dr. Hwang: I’m not sure if this qualifies as “fun,” but a unique fact about me is that I worked part-time as a dental assistant at various practices in NYC while attending dental school at Columbia. Starting dental school in August 2020, during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, brought significant uncertainty about whether dentistry would remain the career I had envisioned when I applied just a year earlier. The world was changing rapidly, and I was nearing the end of my gap year, during which I had worked at a private endodontic office for a year. When offices began slowly reopening in June 2020, I was able to quickly find positions as an endodontic/dental assistant due to the significant shortage of dental assistants at the time.
With all my dental school classes being remote, dental assisting became not only my classroom but also a rewarding way to contribute on the “front lines.” I worked part-time during the week and on Saturdays throughout my D1 to D3 years. I balanced assisting and academics until the spring of my D3 year, when my clinical responsibilities were ramping up.
This experience, though challenging, was invaluable. It provided me with insight into various dental specialties, patient management, practice management, time management, and, most importantly, confirmed my passion for endodontics as the specialty I wanted to pursue. I believe this experience played a crucial role in my acceptance into an endodontic residency straight out of dental school. A special shout out to the doctors and especially dental assistants who generously shared their knowledge and taught me invaluable tips and tricks that greatly benefited me during dental school!

The Paper Point: Outside of dentistry, what do you enjoy doing to recharge and maintain balance during residency?
Dr. Hwang: I grew up playing tennis and have recently discovered Pickleball, thanks to my co-residents at UCLA. LA weather is so amazing, we can play year-round! I also love walking. I have walked the length of Manhattan, nearly tip to tip multiple times (around 13 miles) when I lived up in Washington Heights near Columbia Dental. The walkability of NYC is probably what I miss most from NYC compared to LA. Though my favorite workout has to be Zumba classes!

The Paper Point: Where do you see yourself in five years as an endodontist, and how do you hope to impact the field?
Dr. Hwang: In five years, I hope to have built a strong identity in myself as an endodontist; whether that be working with a great mentor or perhaps starting my own practice. I have been so blessed by having several great mentors who have helped me get to where I am, and I am eager to pass it on to those hoping to become endodontists as well. I also hope to be more involved in organized dentistry through AAE and in my own community promoting endodontics by giving teeth a second chance.

The Paper Point: I heard you’re a bit of a foodie! What got you interested in cooking? And what’s your all time favorite dish to make?
Dr. Hwang: Yes, I’m a huge foodie and I love to cook! I’m so blessed to have spent dental school in NYC and now residency in LA where I can eat my way through the cities, trying all different cuisines. One of my favorite dishes to make has to be Nobu’s Miso Black Cod. It never fails to impress, the umami is next-level, and it’s so simple as well. It’s so great having access to the freshest produce from LA Farmers Markets!

The Paper Point: Mmmm, that sounds phenomenal! Thank you for taking the time to chat with us, Dr. Hwang. Any final words for our readers?
Dr. Hwang: Thank you so much for having me! For the longest time, I thought happiness was something I’d find at the next milestone—whether it was getting into college, dental school, or now residency. Don’t get me wrong, being accepted into residency is one of my proudest achievements. But as I’ve reached this pinnacle moment in my education, I’ve realized that the greatest fulfillment comes from reflecting on my growth along the way and keeping true to myself. Moving forward, my focus is on making this time in residency meaningful—not just by honing my clinical skills, but also by maintaining work-life balance, strengthening my community and support system, and staying fully dedicated to mastering our incredible craft.