Isabelle McDaniel: Service, Art & Leadership at MUSC

For Isabelle McDaniel, third-year dental student, dental school has been more than just an academic journey; it has been a deeply personal and fulfilling experience rooted in service, artistic expression, and community.

“Some of my favorite experiences at the College of Dental Medicine have come through opportunities to serve and express myself through art,” Isabelle says.

One of those experiences was representing MUSC at the American Student Dental Association District 4 Conference in Charlotte, North Carolina. While there, she engaged with fellow dental students and professionals from various backgrounds, reinforcing the selfless nature of the profession. “It reminded me of the primary reason I’m pursuing this career: service.”

Her dedication to service manifested in hands-on efforts at MUSC’s Give Kids a Smile Day, where she volunteered to help provide free dental care to children. “I served as a translator for our Spanish-speaking families,” she explains. “It was such a rewarding experience to give that extra layer of reassurance and comfort to families navigating the health care system.”

Recognizing the mental health challenges any student can face, Isabelle created the Wellness Chair position in her class. Her goal was to uplift her classmates through wellness activities and motivational messages. “Dental school can be stressful, but I believe in building each other up,” she says. “I’m working to expand the Wellness Chair initiatives even more in our third year.”

Isabelle also expresses her artistic side through Tooth Time Follies, a beloved MUSC tradition where students parody their dental school experience with skits, music, and choreography. As a class representative, she is helping craft an unforgettable performance for the senior banquet. “It’s all about bonding and laughing together through the chaos.”

Art and movement have long been essential in Isabelle’s life. Born in Lima, Peru, she has lived in nine different places across North and South America, including Bolivia, Mexico, Canada, and Chile, before settling in South Carolina. Amid all that change, one constant has been dance. Isabelle trained in classical ballet for 17 years and majored in dance performance and choreography, while minoring in public health at the University of South Carolina. “Dance has always been my way of expressing my emotions and handling change,” she says. “It’s been my grounding force.”

When asked about her favorite part of dental school so far, Isabelle highlighted her fellow dental students. “It’s been the most challenging two years of my life, but the best part has been going through it with the amazing friends I’ve made at MUSC,” she says. “We push each other, learn from each other, and grow together. That support has meant everything to me.”

As she begins her third year, Isabelle looks forward to transitioning from the classroom to the clinic. “I’m excited to apply what we’ve learned and grow through hands-on experience,” she says. “Dental school teaches you that making mistakes is part of learning. Sometimes knowing what not to do is just as important as doing things perfectly.”

Whether she’s translating for patients, leading wellness initiatives, or preparing to treat patients in the clinic, Isabelle exemplifies an exceptional balance of compassion, creativity, and resilience. “Hard work pays off,” she says, “but it’s just as important to enjoy every step along the way.”

In a field rooted in precision and empathy, Isabelle McDaniel is already making her mark, and she’s just getting started!

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About the Author

James Smithwick
Communications Coordinator
James B. Edwards College of Dental Medicine