Dentaway began as one dentist's answer to a gap she knew too well, the absence of real guidance when entering a profession that demands both technical skill and professional wisdom. Today it stands as a bridge between ambition and clarity, connecting new dentists with the knowledge and direction they need to build meaningful careers.
There’s no need to mold yourself into someone you’re not. Everyone has unique strengths—we’re here to help you recognize and showcase yours. A core part of our approach is personalization, guided by insights from the well-researched MBTI personality framework. As part of your experience, you’ll complete a personality assessment prior to most sessions, allowing us to tailor our support specifically to you.
Our team has walked this path and experienced many of the same challenges you’re facing now. So, we truly understand what it’s like! That firsthand experience allows our mentors to offer guidance that’s not only practical, but deeply relevant. We’re here to support you with insight, empathy, and strategies that have been tested in real situations; not just theory.
Because we believe in the power of giving back, this program is a core pillar of our mission. Each cycle, three applicants will be randomly selected to receive a full scholarship covering the entire cost of the package—one applying to dental school, one to residency, and one to advanced standing programs.
When you sign up for any service before the deadline announced on Instagram, you’ll automatically be entered into the selection process. Selected recipients will be contacted directly.
There’s a well-known Egyptian saying: ‘Leave the bread to its baker,’ meaning: Leave it to the expert. One of our core philosophies builds on this idea: you can’t highlight your strengths if you don’t first understand what they are and what better way to do that than by a certified life coach!
Developing that level of self-awareness and confidence allows you to present yourself authentically and effectively; skills that extend far beyond applications and into your entire career.To support this, our team includes—and is trained by—a certified life coach. Our interview coaching sessions are conducted collaboratively, combining the expertise of our life coach with the guidance of your assigned mentor, ensuring both personal insight and practical strategy.
Experienced professionals dedicated to your success
Basant Sallam started off her career in dentistry at Ain Shams University, School of Dentistry in Cairo, Egypt. She then moved to the US and explored all possible options for dentistry in the US as an international transfer. She then completed both her Bachelor Degree with a major in Molecular Cell Biology and Doctorate of Dental Medicine at the University of Connecticut. (Double Husky!) She went on to complete a certificated of Advanced Education in General Dentistry (AEGD) at University of Texas. She is now a Prosthodontics resident. (Side fun fact: she is also doing a Masters in Sustainable Design!) As you are probably wondering, has going through applications become her hobby now?
I know you're excited to know all about them! But We're currently making sure their headshot is as awesome as they are. Shaking things up and dropping the bio shortly!
Nada Abbas is an HR Professional and a certified life coach dedicated to helping people grow; both professionally and personally. With a strong background in talent development and organizational culture, she empowers individuals to build meaningful careers and navigate life with clarity and purpose.
Dr. James is currently pursuing a certificate in Orthodontics and a Master of Science at the University of Florida. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Communication and her Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) degree from the University of Connecticut. During dental school, she was inducted into the prestigious Omicron Kappa Upsilon National Dental Honor Society, which recognizes students who demonstrate exceptional scholarship and character. As a non-traditional applicant herself, a communication major with no family background in healthcare, Dr. James understands the uncertainty and self-doubt that can come with forging a new path. She now uses that perspective to motivate and support other non-traditional applicants in pursuing their dreams. She firmly believes that every story matters and is passionate about helping others learn how to share theirs with clarity and confidence.
Andrew Naguib is a rising fourth-year dental student at the University of North Carolina, Adams School of Dentistry. At school, he was elected as President of the American Student Dental Association (ASDA), American Dental Education Association (ADEA), Sports Dentistry Club, and Vice-President of the Endodontic Interest Group. Outside of school, he also served as the ADEA District 4 Commissioner, overseeing the ADEA chapter of eight dental schools. He is also involved in a nonprofit, which he co-founded, and research. (Fun fact: In his free time, he is his influencer self, making incredible videos on his Instagram page @meetdds)
Dr. Basant Sallam spent years navigating the dental profession alone, learning through trial and error what could have been taught. She built Dentaway to be the mentor she never had, offering clarity to those just starting out and looking for this kind of support with their journey into dentistry. What started off as helping friends and family turned into a full passion of hers!
If you feel like the application process is an uphill battle, you’re in good company. Our founder has been through six dental application cycles (plus two non-dental ones!). So she knows the stress, the long waiting periods, and the "is this actually a hobby now?" jokes from friends and family.But through those cycles, she did more than just fill out forms; she paid attention! She began to truly understand the "art of the application" by figuring out how to make a genuine human connection through a screen.
She eventually put her insights to the test: her most recent personal statement was exactly 66 words long! It was a bold move, but it resulted in 9 interview invitations. That moment was a turning point!
Having also served on the interviewing side of the desk, she gained a unique perspective on the bridge between being an applicant and being a colleague. She saw firsthand what made faculty lean in and what caused them to lose interest.
She created this platform as a way to reach even more people, turning her years of persistence into a shared resource to help others navigate their own journeys with confidence.
