First of all congratulations on getting accepted to Loma Linda. I am currently a first year student and am ready to start our my second quarter. Like what everyone is saying, based upon your situation, I think Loma Linda will be best for you.
Yes, Loma Linda is one of the best (if not the best) in the nation in terms of clinical education. In addition to our large patient pool and requirements for graduation, we have opportunities to serve other countries in each of our breaks (they pay 2/3 of your trip once a year). I will be going to Nicaragua for spring break and am excited and looking forward to it. We also have short weekend trips to Mexico and the surrounding communities.
In my first quarter, we were already up in the clinics assisting D3 and D4 students. Charting, suctioning, picking up equipment at dental supply, are among other things you get to do (if you're assisting a friend he might be able to let you do some cool stuff--it all depends on the student you're assisting). I liked this a lot because it can give you hope to hang in there after failing your biochemistry midterm.
I am VERY happy here in Loma Linda, and I hope you will choose LLU as your future dental school. However, keep in mind that I am EXTREMELY happy that I chose dentistry as a career so I probably would have been happy anywhere else.
If you have any specific questions you can pm me and I will be more that happy to answer them. Good luck.