Why I Shifted from Clinical Dentistry to Public and Global Health

Today, I want to talk about Public Health, Global Health, and Health Policy — and why I made the shift from the clinical side of healthcare to public, global, and nonprofit health

My journey began in rural areas of Iraq, where I was placed early in my career. As a dentist working in under-resourced settings, I found the work difficult at first — but over time, it became one of the most formative and meaningful experiences of my life. I was proud of the relief I could bring — easing pain, treating infections, and in some cases, saving lives. But at the same time, I found myself standing helpless in the face of deeper-rooted problems — issues that couldn’t be solved with a procedure or prescription. These were problems embedded in community structures, problems related to access, education, culture, and other social and structural determinants in addition to problems with trust. And this was when I first began to understand the power — and necessity — of public health.

Later, during my master’s degree in prosthetic dentistry, most of my patients were older adults. They came from different walks of life, but their stories shared a common thread: “I wish I knew…” An example that was common was about a decision to extract a tooth they later regretted. That “if only” stayed with me — and deepened my resolve to fill the knowledge (health literacy) and access gap between patients and healthcare systems.

When I moved to the U.S., I found myself in one of the most advanced healthcare systems in the world — yet that gap still existed. In fact, underserved communities here face significant barriers tied to education, socioeconomic status, culture, and access. That’s when I knew I wanted to shift my path toward public and global health management.

Then came the COVID-19 pandemic. For three full years, I was part of the national response — an experience that I’m incredibly grateful for. It was during that time that I discovered another dimension of the gap: one that affects even highly educated individuals and people from privileged backgrounds. Misinformation, fear, and disconnect were everywhere.

It confirmed something I deeply believe now:

Public health is not just about systems and science — it’s about connection, trust, and communication.

I’m sharing this today in honor of everyone in this field — those who show up not just because it’s a job, but because they believe in making a difference. To those who think we’ll be okay without public health, I say: We won’t.