Syed Osama Mahmood, DMD 2019, is a Captain in the Canadian military and works at the dental clinic on the Edmonton Garrison. We connected with Dr. Mahmood to learn about his career and what he enjoys most about being a dentist in the military.
What sparked your interest in dentistry?
I did my undergrad at UBC in science and was figuring out what to do next. The obvious path was medicine, so I volunteered at the hospital, but it wasn’t for me, so I felt a bit lost. One of my good friends, Sheena Sachdeva, DMD 2018, had just been accepted to UBC Dentistry and suggested I borrow her books and write the Dental Aptitude Test. I also shadowed my neighbour, who was a dentist, and enjoyed my time with him. So, applying to dental school was a sporadic decision, but it worked out great!
Do you have a favourite memory of your time at UBC?
The friendships I made. I have so many good memories at JBM, like studying with friends until 3 am. One of my good friends is Kendra McCrea, DMD 2019, whom I met in dental school. Clinic chairs are assigned alphabetically by last name, so she had the chair beside me. We started talking and developed a close friendship—she was the first person to freeze my mouth and vice versa!
How did you decide to enroll in the military dentistry program?
My grandfather was an admiral in the Pakistan Navy, and my uncle is in the Navy’s special services, so joining the military was always on my radar. I had no idea there was a connection to dental school until my first year, when I attended a lunch and learn. I then spoke to Kendra’s husband, Tom Hoos, DMD 2018, who was in the military program, and it seemed like a no-brainer, so I applied and was accepted at the end of my second year of dental school.
What do you enjoy most about being a dentist in the military in Edmonton?
The Edmonton clinic is big, so we have a lot of dentists, hygienists, assistants and specialists. As a result, I feel like I’m always learning. I get a lot of mentorship and the opportunity to challenge myself by taking on cases that I might not feel confident doing alone but am happy to do after consulting with the specialist.
I grew up in Coquitlam, BC, so Edmonton is definitely a change of scenery! The city has really grown since I moved here in 2019, and the food is amazing—Edmonton has some of the best shawarma I’ve ever had. It also doesn’t snow as much as you might think and it’s always sunny.
Do you have advice for current dental students?
Join the military program! My obligatory service ended in 2022, but I enjoy it so much that I’m still here, which I think speaks volumes. I would also say UBC Dentistry has so many amazing instructors, so take advantage of your time at school and don’t be afraid to ask questions.
What do you enjoy doing outside of dentistry?
I like playing board games—Settlers of Catan is my favourite. I also enjoy reading, hiking and spending time and building Lego with my family. The military hours are great. I am usually home around 4 pm, so I have the evenings to spend with my kids.