Meet Olga Loggale: Dentistry student and advocate for change

Dentistry student Olga Loggale. Photo supplied.

Olga Loggale, a dedicated student in the dentistry program, is driven by a passion for improving accessibility and representation in dental health care.

Growing up in a household where dental care was often out of reach, she saw the barriers many face in accessing essential services. Her journey to becoming a dentist has combined a commitment to advocacy and a desire to make a meaningful impact on her community.

This Black History Month, we asked Olga about her story, her accomplishments and the inspiring individuals who have motivated her along the way.

What drew you to dentistry?

I think the main thing was hoping to close gaps in accessibility and representation. In my household growing up, we certainly did not have the capacity to prioritize going to the dentist, and we very likely would not have seen one that looked like us even if we did. I knew for sure from an early age that health care in general seemed to be a field that spoke to values, career desires and personalities. However, through involvement in grassroots organizations and a variety of volunteer roles, I simultaneously developed a passion for social justice and advocacy. In combining these two parts of myself, I found myself approaching dentistry.

Are you part of any groups at the U of A?

Yes! I am the current treasurer for the Dental Students’ Association. I also play a liaison type role between the Black Medical Students’ Association and Black students in dental hygiene and dentistry. I also sit on the editorial board for the Academic Review Journal.

What inspired you to get involved in these groups?

Mostly being a people person, I think. I had a lot of experience before dentistry being involved in different community groups and organizations and I cannot overemphasize the impact they have had on my life and my development as a person. Being involved in different associations has given me the opportunity to connect with people in meaningful ways that I may not have otherwise been able to.

Putting myself in these spaces forces me out of my comfort zone and lets me consider new perspectives, which I believe enhances my interactions with others. Also, these groups give me additional purpose. I find immense joy in creating new ways, or continuing existing ways, for others to feel welcomed, significant and capable, and the work I am so fortunate to do in these associations and groups gives me that opportunity.

What is the significance of Black History Month to you personally?

I think Black History Month serves as a wonderful reminder that our ancestors before us also pushed boundaries and had unimaginable accomplishments. Being in a professional program, as a Black woman, or many other spaces, can feel daunting and overwhelming at times, but it is always nice to reflect and see that others who have shared similar experiences as you and represent your history have been in these positions before. I can do it because they have done it.

What would you like the health-care community or broader community to know about the Black student experience?

The Black student experience, particularly in health care, is unique and riddled with distinct intersectionalities that influence the way we experience being a student. This is not to say that every student does not have a unique experience while in school, but for many Black students they are trailblazers in their families, the only ones in their cohorts, and just overall navigating new territory.

I think because of this, many have this feeling that they are constantly representing an entire community in every space they enter — and I imagine you understand how overwhelming that can be. I think I want the community to know that we are still trying to understand and navigate where exactly we fit in given that the spaces we are taking up weren’t necessarily created for us.

It’s hard to be hyper-aware of your differences at any given time. I think that understanding our need for connections with others who make us feel like we belong, and helping us create narratives that remind us that we belong, is of utmost importance.

Are there Black health leaders who exemplify Black Excellence to you? 

Yes, absolutely there are. I will highlight two I know personally.

Dr. Inyani Keri: He started by getting a bachelor’s and then master’s degrees in engineering, completed a medical degree and is now a neurosurgery resident at McMaster University. I have known Dr. Keri since we were young, and every time we connect he does not fail to amaze me. His passion for improving not just his circumstances and well-being, but his community at large, is genuinely inspiring.

Outside of an academic scope, he is just so kind at his core, so considerate of others and always willing to lend a hand. I am sure you can grasp the barriers he has overcome to achieve what he has, and through it all he has stayed true to himself, his community and his history. Dr. Keri is one of those reminders of pushing boundaries and striving for excellence, and I am honoured to witness it all in real time.

Dr. Bukola Salami: While her roots are in nursing, Dr. Salami is also the Canada Research Chair in Black and Racialized Peoples’ Health, the founder of the African Child and Youth Migration Network and the Black Youth Leadership and Mentorship Program, and a professor at the Cumming School of Medicine in Calgary.

I have had the privilege of doing research with and sharing spaces with Dr. Salami, and let me tell you, she is a force. Her commitment to the improvement of Black Canadians’ health and well-being is nothing short of inspiring and admirable. Through her unwavering passion, Dr. Salami has shown me over and over the endless possibilities for advancement, and I hope to channel her energy as I progress through my career and life.

I would also like to mention all of my friends and colleagues across Canada who are in every field from medicine, law, dentistry, social work, clinical psychology, nursing and business, and are making waves. I am so proud of them, and I feel so excited and privileged to shape the world with them.

Are there any awards or recognitions you’ve received?

In my first year, I received the Alberta Blue Cross Scholarship in Dentistry, an award for first-year dentistry students (based on academic achievement).

I’ve received the Edmonton District Dental Society student award (which recognizes students poised to be leaders of their profession).

Two others of note: I received the Edmonton Community Foundation (ECF) Award for Community Involvement (which recognizes community involvement) and the Western Canada Dental Society Student Fellowship Award (awarded to students expected to make a distinguished contribution to the dental profession and community).