SVSU Pre-Dental Club members visited Dr. Chelsea Mason Dental in Bay City for an evening of dental school readiness, gaining practical guidance on shadowing, DAT preparation, leadership, and building strong applications alongside mentorship from Dr. Chelsea Mason and periodontist Dr. William Mason.
SVSU Pre-Dental Club hosts dental school readiness event at Dr. Chelsea Mason Dental
BAY CITY, Mich. — Members of the Saginaw Valley State University (SVSU) Pre-Dental Club met Wednesday, Feb. 11, at Dr. Chelsea Mason Dental in Bay City for an evening focused on dental school preparation, mentorship, and hands-on insight into clinical practice. The event was held at 4181 Shrestha Drive in Bay City, MI, and brought together students who are pursuing dentistry through SVSU’s Pre-Dentistry pathway and Pre-Health Professions advising resources.
The evening featured Dr. Chelsea Mason, a general and family dentist in Bay City, and her father, Dr. William Mason, a periodontist whose clinical focus includes periodontal care and dental implant therapy. Together, they walked students through what dental schools look for in applicants, how to translate pre-dental coursework into a competitive, well-rounded application, and why strong communication and professionalism matter as much as grades. Dr. Chelsea Mason shared that she has long felt connected to SVSU because of its role in the health and vitality of the Great Lakes Bay Region and was inspired by a colleague’s scholarship for pre-dental students to be more intentional about partnering locally.
“I made it a goal in 2026 to work with a local institution, and when Julia Rajewski from the Pre-Dental Club reached out about this opportunity, the answer was an easy yes,” Mason said. She described SVSU as a place where service and education intersect in a meaningful way and noted that investing early in capable students is one of the most concrete ways to strengthen the future of healthcare. “Helping students answer, ‘What does this path actually require, and how do I prepare well without losing myself in the process?’ ultimately strengthens both the profession and our community.”
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Practical guidance for pre-dental students
During the discussion, the dentists emphasized preparation that goes beyond simply checking off prerequisites. They encouraged students to treat shadowing as an intentional learning experience: observe in more than one practice environment, keep a written record of cases, procedures, and lessons learned, and reflect on what resonates with them. That kind of purposeful shadowing, Mason explained, becomes invaluable when writing personal statements and interviewing, because it allows applicants to speak clearly about what they have seen and what drew them to dentistry.
The conversation also highlighted the importance of consistency in service and leadership. Rather than accumulating a list of one-time activities, students were urged to build sustained involvement in community organizations, campus leadership roles, and positions that demonstrate reliability and strong communication skills. These long-term commitments mirror the responsibilities of patient care and team-based practice, and admissions committees recognize them as indicators of how students will show up in clinical settings.
DAT preparation as skills training
On the topic of the Dental Admission Test (DAT), students were encouraged to treat studying as performance training, not just content review. Dr. Mason recommended structured, timed practice sessions that simulate the pace and pressure of the actual exam, with attention to time management, review routines, and test-day stamina. By focusing on habits—how they plan their study blocks, how they recover from a difficult section, and how they sustain focus—students can build confidence that carries into test day and beyond.
Strong letters of recommendation
Mason and her father also discussed the role of letters of recommendation in the application process. The most effective letters, they noted, come from people who can describe specific examples of a student’s work ethic, professionalism, and growth over time. Students were encouraged to cultivate relationships with faculty, supervisors, and mentors in academic, clinical, or service settings and to show up consistently so those recommenders can speak authentically about who they are, not just what they have achieved.
Why mentorship matters
When asked why they volunteer their time and expertise, both dentists pointed to the human side of dentistry. “Dentistry is technical, but it’s also deeply human,” Mason said. “The profession is strongest when knowledge is shared—not guarded—and students deserve access to real mentorship, regardless of their background or whether they have a built-in network in healthcare.” She emphasized that oral health is inseparable from overall health and that supporting the next generation of dentists is another way of supporting the patients and communities they will one day serve.
Mason also connected the event to her own philosophy of care. “The best dentistry is built on trust over time—durable work, prevention first, and patients who feel genuinely seen,” she shared. Better dentistry, she noted, means fewer setbacks, less rework, and less frustration for patients and families, and that kind of care starts with clinicians who have been guided well from the beginning of their training.
Learning from experience and family legacy
Students asked Mason about her own pathway to dental school and whether she had access to similar experiences. She described growing up in a multigenerational dental family that shaped how she thinks about responsibility and long-term relationships with patients. Her immediate family includes her father, Dr. William Mason (periodontist, University of Michigan ’81), her second father, Dr. John Galsterer (endodontist, University of Detroit Mercy ’72), and her sister, Dr. Suzanne Mason (periodontist, University of Detroit Mercy ’13). Earlier generations in her family—Dr. William J.B. Mason (University of Michigan ’18), Dr. Andrew Galsterer (University of Michigan ’29), and her uncle, Dr. Michael A. Davis II (University of Michigan ’83)—also modeled what it means to care for people over decades.
“That family history gave me a front-row view of something I still believe: the goal isn’t ‘more dentistry,’ it’s better dentistry—durable, prevention-forward care that earns trust over time,” Mason said. At the same time, she noted that mentorship should never depend on family connections alone. Even with her background, she deliberately sought structured shadowing, honest feedback, and experiences that tested whether dentistry truly fit her values, not just whether she could gain admission to school.
Working with SVSU students
Dr. Mason shared that she has worked with students at different stages, including pre-dental students who want to understand the day-to-day reality of patient care and practice operations. While her office is a private practice focused on exceptional care by design, she welcomes SVSU students who are thoughtful, professional, and eager to learn to shadow and ask questions. “A good shadowing or learning experience should be structured and respectful of patients while still giving students meaningful exposure to modern dentistry: prevention, diagnosis, restorative planning, communication, and team-based care,” she explained.
Although the practice does not typically offer formal internships, Mason often recommends that students seeking a more hands-on role consider starting as a sterilization assistant. In that position, students learn the rhythm of a practice, hear real patient conversations, and develop an appreciation for detail and teamwork. They also witness something that can’t be fully taught in a classroom: what it means to earn a patient’s trust and gratitude through daily excellence.
Looking ahead: expanding the event
This was the first time Mason hosted the Pre-Dental Club in this exact format, but she made clear that it will not be the last. “I’m already planning to expand it next year,” she said. Her goal is to create something bigger and more structured that blends practical preparation—like DAT strategy and application planning—with opportunities to recognize what students are already contributing through service, leadership, and campus engagement.
“I want the next event to help students articulate who they are becoming—their values, their perspective, and how they plan to serve,” she added. Because dentistry is evolving, she believes the profession is stronger when it listens to the ideas and energy of the next generation. “Mentorship shouldn’t depend on who you know. If we want a stronger profession, we have to make the pathway clearer and more inclusive.”
Impressions of SVSU students
Reflecting on the evening, Mason praised the caliber of the SVSU students who attended. “What stands out to me is how prepared SVSU students are to do the work—not just academically, but in how they communicate and how seriously they take responsibility,” she said. The students asked thoughtful questions, listened carefully, and showed genuine motivation to serve others, which she described as exactly what you want in future healthcare professionals.
About Dr. Chelsea Mason Dental
Dr. Chelsea Mason Dental is a Bay City-based dental practice located at 4181 Shrestha Dr in Bay City, Michigan. The practice provides comprehensive care for individuals and families and emphasizes the connection between oral health and overall well-being, focusing on prevention, long-term durability, and relationships built on trust.
About SVSU
SVSU supports students pursuing dentistry through its Pre-Dentistry pathway and Pre-Health Professions advising resources. Students are encouraged to connect early with a pre-health advisor to plan prerequisites, build meaningful experiences in service and leadership, and prepare for professional school applications with confidence.
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