Drawing connections in dentistry
HSDM student combines artistic skill with clinical practice, creating a unique approach to patient care
What began as a way to slow down and focus has become central to how Shadin Zayyad, DMD27, approaches dentistry. Growing up in a close-knit family that nurtured creativity as something both valuable and grounding, her early interest in art grew into a more fulfilling practice.
“Through the years, my various art forms became more than just a hobby; illustrating became a meditative practice I could access in any situation,” she said. “It was a way to zone in, tune into details, and express my internal world in a tangible way.”
As her relationship with art deepened, so did her fascination with how small details shape a larger whole.
“I became fascinated by how esthetics, innovative ideas, and small details influence a whole composition,” she said.
That curiosity eventually led her to dentistry, where attention to detail and technique intersect with patient care. Now a third-year student at Harvard School of Dental Medicine (HSDM), Zayyad brings that creative lens to both her clinical work and patient interactions.
“Each movement of a bur or hand instrument requires mindfulness and purpose,” she said. “And each procedure carries elements of design and flow.”
Rather than relying solely on verbal explanations, Zayyad often turns to hand-drawn sketches to walk patients through what’s happening—mapping out tooth structure, illustrating areas of concern, or showing how a procedure will unfold. In those moments, the drawings help create a shared understanding. Patients can see what she sees, ask more informed questions, and feel more at ease before treatment begins.
“This same attention to detail makes me more aware of small changes in a patient’s expression or comfort level, helping me provide care that is not only procedurally detail-oriented but also thoughtful and attentive,” she said.
Her artwork recently appeared in an internationally recognized publication when she illustrated the 60th anniversary cover of the Journal of Periodontal Research. The opportunity grew out of her mentorship with Jessica Latimer, DMSc24, lecturer on Oral Medicine, Infection, and Immunity, and an illustrator herself, whose shared passion for visual storytelling helped shape the project. The collaboration became a blend of scientific storytelling and creative expression.
The illustrated cover featured the journal’s founding editor, Dr. Harold Löe, a Norwegian-born dentist, researcher, and educator recognized as a pioneer in modern periodontology. Zayyad and Latimer also co-authored an accompanying editorial honoring his legacy.
“What made the experience especially meaningful was that it blended multiple worlds I deeply care about, scientific appreciation, honoring foundations, and artistic expression,” Zayyad said.
Zayyad continues to explore the intersection of art and dentistry through her work with In Vivo, Harvard Medical School’s student-run medical humanities publication. She contributes to the design of the magazine and creates illustrations that visually interpret submitted pieces, translating complex ideas and narratives into imagery.
Most recently, she joined an interdisciplinary project examining how visual arts can improve empathy and reduce bias in healthcare education. Working alongside collaborators from HSDM, Harvard Medical School, the Harvard Art Museums, and Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Zayyad is helping develop workshops that explore anatomical variability, the relationship between systemic and oral health, and how dental variances shape perceptions of care.
“Creativity has taught me the value of observation and the importance of intention,” she said. “Those are the same principles I bring into every patient interaction.”