Bradley Stieper, of Dearborn, always wanted a career in the sciences, but one that also allowed him interaction with people and to use his technical skills. The profession he chose to meet all of those goals was dentistry.

Before deciding to enroll in dental school that the University of Michigan, the third-year dental student first earned a bachelor’s degree in zoology from Michigan State University. He first entertained the notion of pursing dentistry in his freshmen year, after speaking with Dr. Michael Prudhomme, a close fried of his father.

“He encouraged me to look further into the career and suggested I shadow him,” Stieper recalled. “During dental school, Dr. Prudhomme has continued to provide guidance by answering questions regarding the private practice aspect of the profession.”

One of the driving forces in Stieper’s life is the need to learn, a bit of advice he once learned and has applied to his studies.

“Gaining extra education is always something that will be a positive in the satisfaction of your career,” he said. “The best advice I can give to aspiring dentists is to make learning your passion.”

That passion to learn, Stieper said, will carry him on past graduation into what he hopes will be a residency. After completing his education, Stieper said he hopes to split time between private practice, teaching, and community service.

Outside of his studies, Stieper said he’s attended a few dental meetings including the local American Student Dental Association chapter meetings along with a few Detroit District Dental Society meetings, and enjoyed the community atmosphere and camaraderie of the meetings, as well as the pertinent discussion of current events in the profession.

“I see myself participating at a local and state level in organized dentistry.” Stieper said. “This will allow me to always be in tune with the profession and to be involved with decisions concerning its future. This is a vital aspect to any organized profession”

Beyond dentistry Stieper enjoys many outdoors activities including running, golfing, camping and hiking, especially in the cliffs of the Bruce Peninsula National Park in Ontario, Canada.  

Stieper said he’s grateful for winning the Michigan Dental Association Foundation Scholarship because it’s helped him decrease the amount of loans he’ll need to pay off after school, which is a large burden for any professional student.

Bradley Stieper, of Dearborn, always wanted a career in the sciences, but one that also allowed him interaction with people and to use his technical skills. The profession he chose to meet all of those goals was dentistry.

Before deciding to enroll in dental school that the University of Michigan, the third-year dental student first earned a bachelor’s degree in zoology from Michigan State University. He first entertained the notion of pursing dentistry in his freshmen year, after speaking with Dr. Michael Prudhomme, a close fried of his father.

“He encouraged me to look further into the career and suggested I shadow him,” Stieper recalled. “During dental school, Dr. Prudhomme has continued to provide guidance by answering questions regarding the private practice aspect of the profession.”

One of the driving forces in Stieper’s life is the need to learn, a bit of advice he once learned and has applied to his studies.

“Gaining extra education is always something that will be a positive in the satisfaction of your career,” he said. “The best advice I can give to aspiring dentists is to make learning your passion.”

That passion to learn, Stieper said, will carry him on past graduation into what he hopes will be a residency. After completing his education, Stieper said he hopes to split time between private practice, teaching, and community service.

Outside of his studies, Stieper said he’s attended a few dental meetings including the local American Student Dental Association chapter meetings along with a few Detroit District Dental Society meetings, and enjoyed the community atmosphere and camaraderie of the meetings, as well as the pertinent discussion of current events in the profession.

“I see myself participating at a local and state level in organized dentistry.” Stieper said. “This will allow me to always be in tune with the profession and to be involved with decisions concerning its future. This is a vital aspect to any organized profession”

Beyond dentistry Stieper enjoys many outdoors activities including running, golfing, camping and hiking, especially in the cliffs of the Bruce Peninsula National Park in Ontario, Canada.  

Stieper said he’s grateful for winning the Michigan Dental Association Foundation Scholarship because it’s helped him decrease the amount of loans he’ll need to pay off after school, which is a large burden for any professional student.