“THE ODD ONE OUT.”

Get to know Antoinette Afriyie, BeneCare Dental Plans’ 2024-25 Rutgers Scholarship recipient. Antoinette is the youngest in a household full of pharmacists. Both her mother and father are pharmacists and her two older sisters have chosen the same career path. Her oldest sister graduated in Spring 2025 and the other is in her second year. According to Antoinette, “I chose dental school. I guess that makes me the odd one out.”

From an early age, Antoinette always thought she would pursue a career in healthcare. She had an interest in the sciences. She attended a UCLA summer program for high school students interested in the field, which reinforced her belief. After high school, Antoinette attended Stony Brook University where she earned her undergraduate degree in Health Science with a concentration in public health.

The healthcare field was where she wanted to be; however, the more difficult question was “in what capacity”?

IT’S A JOURNEY, NOT A DESTINATION.

Antoinette attempted to find her niche in college. She volunteered her time at a local hospital where she worked in the Post Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU) as well as with cancer patients. This was a great learning experience because Antoinette discovered that she enjoyed interacting with patients, but didn’t think the hospital environment was a good fit.

Antoinette also volunteered her time at a pediatrician’s office. This bolstered her inclination to want to work with patients and the kids were so much fun. She loved going to the office every day, but still wasn’t certain that medicine was the right path for her.

DENTISTRY TICKED ALL THE BOXES.

It wasn’t until Antoinette answered a recruitment ad for a dental receptionist that she uncovered her interest in dentistry. The receptionist position gave Antoinette her first exposure to the profession and it wasn’t long before she found herself exploring what was happening in the operatories.

The dentist and her father, a retired pediatrician who managed the practice, quickly became Antoinette’s mentors, offering coaching and advice. “You have to be comfortable with being uncomfortable,” Antoinette remembers them telling her. “But I had found my niche. Dentistry ticked all the boxes. It was hands-on. It had patient interactions. And it was clinical, satisfying my interest in science.”

“You have to be comfortable with being uncomfortable,” Antoinette remembers her mentors telling her. “But I had found my niche. Dentistry ticked all the boxes.”

~ Antoinette Afriyie, BeneCare Dental Plans’ 2024-25 Scholarship recipient

Antoinette chose to apply to Rutgers School of Dental Medicine after studying for her Master’s in Biomedical Science at Rutgers. The major allowed her to take courses at the dental school where she met a lot of students and faculty. “The environment is extremely supportive and collaborative,” Antoinette noted. “Everyone really cares about you. I knew that Rutgers was where I wanted to study.”

AN ASPIRING TOP CHEF.

When Antoinette isn’t studying or learning her craft in a lab, you’ll find her spending time with friends and family. She especially likes to cook for them. She loves pasta (who doesn’t) and experimenting with different recipes for Bolognese, penne vodka, and noodles. If you take her out to a Thai restaurant, Antoinette may ask the chef to share the recipe so she can make it at home. “Cooking is a stress reliever for me,” Antoinette discloses. “I tried crocheting, but it didn’t stick… although I have to admit that crocheting is a lot less fattening.”   

MUCH SUCCESS TO ANTOINETTE!

Congratulations to Antoinette Afriyie, BeneCare’s 2024-25 scholarship recipient. We are proud to support the future of the dental profession and wish you much success in your dental career!

BENECARE SCHOLARSHIP AWARD.

BeneCare was founded by dental professionals and emphasizes the clinical side of the equation. We believe oral health is an important component of overall good health. To support that mission, BeneCare has established an annual scholarship at the Rutgers School of Dental Medicine to help support future generations of dental professionals.

SCHOLARSHIP QUALIFICATIONS.

Each year, the BeneCare Dental Plans Scholarship is awarded to a dental school student that meets the following criteria:

• The student must be in their second year of dental school;
• The student must be in good academic standing;
• The student must have a financial need.

The BeneCare Dental Scholarship represents our commitment to upholding the community standards of good clinical care.

MEET OUR OTHER SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS.

Get to know two other BeneCare Scholarship recipients, Zoe Singer and Alessandro Padovani.