Heading to Harvard: How one dental student went from patient to pediatric dentist
Fourth-year dental student Caroline Deyoe recently matched at Harvard, continuing her passion for pediatric dentistry.
Fourth-year dental student Caroline Deyoe was in the middle of a routine walk with her dog, Redd, when her phone buzzed with an incoming email she’d been anxiously waiting for. Within seconds, she was excitedly texting family and friends. While Redd wondered why his walk had been interrupted, Deyoe shared the news: She had matched with her top-choice residency at Boston Children's Hospital/Harvard School of Dental Medicine.
“It was very surreal,” Deyoe laughed. “Match day is stressful because you never know what will happen. So, when I saw the message, it just felt crazy. I felt very honored and excited—and everyone in my family freaked out when I told them!”
That moment—simple yet unforgettable—was a reflection of both the culmination of years of hard work and the beginning of what comes next for the Case Western Reserve University School of Dental Medicine student.
Deyoe’s journey into dentistry began long before dental school and the fateful stroll with Redd. As a child, she fell on the playground and knocked out her front tooth. What followed was years of dental and orthodontic care that sparked her interest in oral health and its broader impact. Over time, she became especially drawn to pediatric dentistry, recognizing how deeply a child’s smile can affect confidence and well-being.
“I spent so much time in the dental chair that I was really drawn to teeth, and the importance of them not only to your physical health but also to mental health,” Deyoe said. “Kids and adolescents are so insecure about their teeth when they have braces, but the second they get them off, they have a big, beaming smile. I think it’s really special how dentistry combines both medicine and art to make this happen.”
This passion for dentistry led her from her home in Southern Florida to CWRU’s dental school, where she found a program that aligned with both her interests and her ambitions. From the start, she was drawn to the school’s small class size, supportive environment and strong emphasis on early, hands-on learning. Already knowing that she wanted to pursue pediatric dentistry, the Healthy Smiles Sealant Program was something that particularly interested her. Through the program, Deyoe worked directly with children in Cleveland schools, gaining valuable clinical experience in a setting that felt approachable for both patient and provider.
“Having that early clinical exposure as a first-year dental student was very impactful on me,” Deyoe said. “It was also really important to me to give back to the community that you live in, and having the opportunity to work with children in a more relaxed setting that they are comfortable in (such as their school) is a nice introduction.”
That early exposure set the tone for how Deyoe has approached her education: fully engaged, hands-on and always looking to go further. Whether in pediatric rotations or more advanced procedures, she consistently sought out opportunities to expand her skills, even ones that she may never use in pediatrics.
“My mentality is that I might never need—or get—to do some of these procedures again, so now is the time to get the experience,” Deyoe explained. “If you are someone who is passionate and driven and wants to go out there and see what they can do, CWRU really gives you the tools to do that. You receive top-tier, fantastic training here and the faculty are out of this world—intelligent, supportive and involved. You can go as far as you want.”
Deyoe’s resolve to going above and beyond was also on full display during her Harvard interview process. Her in-person interview was scheduled in Boston for the day before clinical boards began at 6:30 a.m. in Cleveland, but Deyoe was determined to make the interview in Boston and be home in time for boards. Navigating a tight timeline, she booked two separate return flights, ensuring she had a backup that would get her home. She made it back to Cleveland with time to spare.
“When I got my interview invitation, I was shell-shocked at the timing, because I didn’t know how I could make both things happen,” she said. “But I was determined to make it happen—and I’m glad I did, because it really worked out in the end!”
As she reflects on her time in Cleveland, Deyoe remembers both the professional and personal experiences that made it meaningful, from treating patients and building professional relationships to exploring Little Italy and attending snowy Browns games. When she heads to Boston, she’ll miss the sense of community and the enjoyable routines she’s built here (including her walks with Redd, who has become a canine celebrity around the Cleveland Clinic campus). But she’s excited to make new memories in Boston, as she takes this prestigious next step to continue growing in the field that she’s been passionate about since childhood.
“I’m heading to a new city and a new role, but I look forward to staying connected to the university as I continue on with my career goals,” Deyoe said. “It’s been an amazing four years—and maybe soon another student from the dental school will come to Boston for residency, and we can build a CWRU community there.”
