COMMENCEMENT 2025

Destined for Dentistry

Born into a family of dentists, Charles Clark DDS ’25 aims to live the dream, working with children as a pediatric dentist and continuing the family tradition.

BY MICHELLE McCARTHY

FOR CHARLES “CHARLIE” CLARK DDS ’25, dentistry isn’t just a career — it’s a calling deeply embedded in his family tree.

Growing up in Dallas, Texas, Clark was surrounded by role models in the profession: His grandfather, both parents and older brother all practice dentistry.

“From a young age, I worked summers in my parents’ offices,” Clark recalls. “It gave me a behind-the-scenes look that most people don’t get. I always kept an open mind, but dentistry just felt right.”

After earning his undergraduate degree at Texas Christian University (TCU), Clark decided it was time to step outside his comfort zone. That leap brought him west to the Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry of USC.

“I’d been in Texas my whole life,” he says. “When I visited USC, I felt an immediate connection — the collaborative atmosphere, the students’ energy. It was a great fit for me, not just academically but personally and socially as well. Everyone I met seemed genuinely happy to be there.”

Making the Most of His Time

During his time at Ostrow, Clark made the most of every opportunity to grow. He served as a student ambassador, joined the pediatric selective and became deeply involved in the USC Mobile Dental Clinic as well as the Dental Humanitarian Outreach Program (DHOP), which provides care to underserved populations overseas.

Clark traveled with DHOP to the Bahamas, Panama and Ecuador — experiences he describes as transformative.

“Most of the patients we treated had never seen a dentist before,” he says. “It was humbling. You realize how much of an impact you can make — even in a small moment — whether you’re providing treatment or simply making a patient feel seen; it all matters.”

Clark’s dedication to service didn’t stem from obligation; it came from a belief in making the most of his time. “I’ve always thought, ‘If you’re here, you might as well go all in,’” he says. “Giving back brought me real joy and perspective. I learned just as much about myself as I did dentistry.” And that dedication paid off. In his fourth year, he was nominated as the director of both the USC Mobile Clinic and DHOP.

What Clark found most rewarding at USC wasn’t confined to the classroom; it was the real-world experience.

“The outreach programs gave me hands-on exposure to clinical care that accelerated my growth,” he explains. “In the Bahamas with DHOP, before I’d even treated patients at school, I was assisting and engaging with patients. You just can’t replicate that in a traditional school environment.”

Next Stop: Boston

Clark will be heading to Boston University this summer to begin a two-year pediatric dental residency, with plans to return to Dallas and join his mother’s pediatric practices.

“That’s the dream — working with kids and continuing the family tradition,” he says.

Looking back, Clark’s advice to current and future dental students is clear: “Surround yourself with a great support system: friends, mentors, family. The people around you make all the difference.”

Whether in the classroom at TCU or volunteering thousands of miles from home, Clark has always been driven by commitment, compassion and community. Now, with diploma in hand, he’s ready to bring that spirit to the next generation of smiles.