MiriamVilla
Dedicated to transforming children's dental experiences through compassion, advocacy, and community-centered care.
of the Year
“ Every child deserves a smile they are proud of -- and a dental experience that nurtures rather than frightens. ”
A multilingual dental student fluent in German, Arabic, English, and French, with a deep commitment to pediatric and special needs dentistry. Currently pursuing a Doctor of Dental Medicine at Midwestern University, with a background in Biomedical Science from the University of West Florida and Biochemistry from Pensacola State College.
Education
DMD, Dental Medicine
Midwestern University -- Arizona
B.S. Biomedical Science
University of West Florida
A.A. Biochemistry
Pensacola State College
Recognition
ASDA National Delegate of the Year
American Student Dental Association
Selected from 23,000 dental students nationwide
2025NHSC Scholarship
National Health Service Corps
Four-year public health service commitment
2023ADEA Fellowship Program
Academic Dental Careers
Conducting IRB approved survey-based research; lecturing to the Class of 2028 on Salivary Glands & TMJ Histology
2025--2026ASDA Recognition
Midwestern University
Academic Honors
"When Autism and Dentistry Collide"
Contour Magazine, American Student Dental Association
Volume 9, Number 10 -- Nov/Dec 2025 — Disability Awareness in Dentistry
Research
Assessment of an Interdisciplinary Outreach Initiative for Pediatric Special Needs Patients by Healthcare Students and Providers
Leadership &
Advocacy
National, state, and institutional leadership roles driving change in dental education, advocacy, and community health.
American Dental Association
NationalAmerican Student Dental Association
NationalAADMD
NationalNational Health Service Corps
NationalArizona Dental Association
StateAZ Dept of Health Services
StateFamily Voices & MCHB
NationalAAPD
NationalUniversity of West Florida
InstitutionalRaising Special Kids
CommunityMidwestern University CDMA
InstitutionalClinical Experience & Service
Professional Experience
Pre-Dental Student Mentor Director & Mentor
Dental School Guide, Remote (Peoria, AZ)
Registered Behavior Technician
Java Autism Services (Scottsdale, AZ)
Registered Behavior Technician & Parent Resource Coordinator
Little Oaks ABA (Wake Forest, NC)
Translator & Assistant in PEKIP Early Family Formation
Social Service of Catholic Women (SkF) (Wiesbaden, Germany)
Assistant Teacher & Recreation Coach
Gerhart-Hauptman-Schule (Wiesbaden, Germany)
Pediatric Clinical Shadowing
Midwestern Dental Institute
Pediatric Dental Clinic
Dr. Copeland, Dr. Rao, Dr. Johns
Kids Dental Spot
Special Needs Dentistry
Dr. Jourabchi
West Valley Pediatric
Pediatric & Anesthesia
Dr. Brownstein
Jungle Roots
Dentistry & Orthodontics
Dr. Culp
Kids Dental Office PHX
Pediatric Dentistry
Dr. Bienstock
Externships (2025--2026)
Community Impact
2026 ADA Lobby Day -- NDC Advocacy Panel
New Dentists, New Voices: Advocacy for the Profession — Panel moderated by Dr. Adam Saltz (NDC Vice Chair) with panelists Dr. Alexandra J. Fitzgerald and Dr. Jillian Stacey, sharing experiences on the impact of advocacy.
2026Brave Hearts: N.O.A.H.
Co-founded and led a campus-wide Health & Wellness Literacy Fair for children with special needs and their caregivers, directing a multidisciplinary team across healthcare programs in collaboration with Special Olympics (both years) and Delta Dental (2025).
Jan 2025 & Apr 2026Dream Center Partnership
Provided free dental care and established a dental home for sex trafficking survivors.
2025Special Olympics -- Lead The Field
Coach & Student Lead with BRAVE HEARTS initiative.
2025Give Kids a Smile
Provided clinical treatment as a third-year student (2026). Assisted in providing free dental care to underserved children (Feb 2025). Volunteered across multiple years of the program.
2024--2026AADMD Break Out Session
Co-hosted "Assessing a Special Need's Initiative" at Phoenix Rising: One Voice Conference.
2025MWU Physician Assistant Fluoride Varnish Workshop
Presented on Fluoride, Diet & Social Determinants of Health and co-hosted the hands-on Fluoride Varnish Workshop for the PA Class of 2027 (2025); returned to support the workshop as a volunteer (2026).
2025--2026Oral Histology: Salivary Glands & TMJ
Lecture delivered to the Dental Class of 2028 as part of the Oral Health Science course, Winter 2024. Developed the presentation and objectives as part of the ADCFP Fellowship.
2024Introduction to D2 Community Service Rotations
Co-presented lecture to the Class of 2028 (Winter 2025) and the Class of 2029 (Winter 2026).
2025--2026Conferences & Speaking
Additional Community Service
Team Smiles
Free dental care to underserved children
Sep 2025 & Apr 2026Saving Amy
Provided free dental treatment to individuals experiencing homelessness
2026Career Fair -- Pendergast Elementary
Career fair presentation for elementary school students
Mar 2026Feed My Starving Children
Volunteered to pack meals for children in need
Feb 2026The Opportunity Tree
Oral Health Screenings for individuals with IDD & literacy for caregivers
2025Dentists for Special Needs -- Halloween Event
Assisted individuals with IDD and their caregivers in a sensory-friendly Halloween celebration with games and activities
2025Buckeye UHSD -- Exceptional Student Services
OHI in self-contained S.T.E.P.S classrooms
2025Children's Oral Health Institute
"Lessons in a Lunchbox" -- OHI for children
2025CDMA Acceptance Day, Dental Day
Dental Student Ambassador guiding accepted students and families on next steps
2024--2025Diversify Dentistry Student Summit
Student Lead to underrepresented youth; led a hands-on restorative workshop
2024Chris Nikic -- Special Needs Awareness Event
Celebrated the first person with Down syndrome to complete an Ironman
2024Rainbow Acres Living
OHI for individuals with developmental disabilities
2024St. Vincent de Paul, AZ
6-week summer program for children on nutrition and oral health
2024GCU Back to School Event
Oral health screenings for 50+ children from Title I schools
2024Gentry Behavioral Services
OHI workshops for children on the autism spectrum
2024Healing Hoof Steps
Therapeutic riding assistant at a PATH-certified equine wellness facility for children and adults with disabilities
2021--2022Special Olympics Arizona -- Special Smiles
Spring & Fall Games; Student Lead; OHI & oral cancer screenings
2023--2026Arizona Mission of Mercy
Free dental care outreach
2023--2024Project Humanity
Homeless outreach, Arizona
2023--2024St. Thomas More Church (AZ)
Food packaging and distribution
2023Let's Connect
I welcome opportunities for mentorship, collaboration, research partnerships, and professional connection in pediatric dentistry and community health.