In just a few weeks, Cody Leong will trade the familiar rhythms of Colorado for the energy of New York City, where he will begin a dental anesthesiology residency at NYU Langone Hospital-Brooklyn. The move marks an exciting next chapter, but it also reflects a journey shaped by a steady commitment to curiosity, compassion and listening closely to patients’ needs.
Leong’s interest in dentistry didn’t begin with procedures or specialization — it began chairside, watching his family dentist connect with patients in a way that felt both calm and genuine. “Seeing the way in which he interacted with people and put them at ease really stuck with me,” Leong said. “I did not truly realize how much of a people profession dentistry is until I experienced it myself.”
That realization only grew stronger in dental school. While the academic rigor was intense, Leong discovered something equally important about himself along the way. He found that he genuinely enjoys learning for the sake of learning. That mindset helped him navigate the constant influx of information and shaped his identity as a future practitioner who is motivated to always keep growing, long after graduation.
One of the most affirming moments of Leong’s training came during clinic, when he delivered his first complete denture as a third-year dental student. The patient had previously struggled with an ill‑fitting prosthesis, and the improvement was immediate and profound. “Seeing her reaction—she was just beaming—was so rewarding,” he said. “That experience really stayed with me.”
Leong also credits much of his development to his Advanced Clinical Training and Service (ACTS) Program rotations throughout the state of Colorado, where he felt supported and challenged at the same time. He valued how preceptors met students where they were clinically, allowing room to grow in confidence and skill. His experiences at Clinica Family Health in Lafayette and Salud Family Health in Trinidad stood out as especially meaningful, reinforcing the impact dentistry can have in community‑based settings.
Leong distilled his philosophy of care down to a single principle: listen. His goal is for patients to leave feeling confident about whatever decision they choose to make about their care, with the knowledge he provides them. “I want them to feel informed and empowered moving forward,” he explained.
Early on, Leong thought he might follow his older sister into periodontics. But after learning more about moderate sedation through her practice, his interests began to shift. Exposure to special care dentistry, in particular, helped everything click.
“I realized how much I wanted to help patients who cannot tolerate traditional dental care,” he said, noting his experiences with patients who have significant dental anxiety or special healthcare needs. “My rotation in the Senior and Special Care Clinic was a great experience and really solidified that direction for me.”
After graduation, Leong will begin a dental anesthesiology residency at NYU Langone Hospital-Brooklyn, which he imagines will be “the most exciting and exhausting experience at the same time.” Still, his long‑term vision remains close to home. He hopes to return to the West after residency and continue working alongside the mentors and colleagues who have shaped his dental journey.
Outside the clinic, Leong found some of his most rewarding moments through student organization involvement, including the American Student Dental Association, the Special Care Club, and growing the Anesthesia Interest Group. For him, the people he met at CU made the difference. “So many upperclassmen were incredibly generous with their time and support,” he said. “I hope to do that for others, too.”
Leong’s advice to new dental students is to pause amid the intensity. “Don’t forget to stop and smell the roses,” he said. “Enjoy life outside of the classroom and clinic.”
Looking ahead, his advice for the future is simple and enduring: stay curious. It’s the principle that led him to his niche in dental anesthesiology and it’s what continues to fuel his learning as he begins the next stage of his career, one patient and one conversation at a time.