Career Program: Dental Assistant
Originally From: Appleton
Current Residence: Appleton
Age: 20
Attended FVTC: Spring 2021 - Fall 2021

Why did you choose to study this field?

When I was growing up, I always knew that I wanted to be in the medical field and have the ability to help others. I took some time to explore other fields but ultimately decided they just weren't for me. I decided to pursue the dental field because whenever I would go to the dentist, the first person that would greet me and make me feel comfortable were the assistants. With their help, I was able to calm down and reduce my anxiousness during dental appointments. I realized that I wanted to do this for others when they came to the dentist; I want to help create a comfortable experience and help them have a healthy and beautiful smile.

Tell us how you came to choose FVTC for your education.

I had no idea that there was an educational course to become a dental assistant. It was my high school counselor who suggested I check out the DA program at FVTC. I ultimately decided that it was the perfect fit since it was less than five minutes from home and it allowed me to become educated and prepared to get into the field.

What's been the most rewarding part of your educational journey at FVTC?

The most rewarding part is having the opportunity to go out to real dental offices and experience what it's like to be an assistant. Through these clinical rotations, I was able to get hands-on experience. It was very rewarding to understand what was going on during a procedure and why we were doing it, not just blindly following procedural steps. In addition, it's rewarding to help members of my community and help them achieve the healthy smile that truly makes them happy.

What was the most difficult part?

This course is quite rigorous and jam-packed with a curriculum that will benefit my career, so I'd say that the most difficult part was keeping up with homework and tests every week, especially during the first semester. It was stressful and difficult to create a schedule and strictly follow it to achieve deadlines.

What did you do on graduation day or plan to do in the future to celebrate graduation?

I celebrated the fact that I got to walk across the stage, since I never got the opportunity to do so in high school because of COVID. I was also able to celebrate my achievements with my family and friends who are closest to me.

Tell us about your plans after graduation.

After graduation, I’m taking a vacation, then will start working at the dental office where I completed my clinical hours.

One last parting thought or words of wisdom to share with others.

Something that my mom would always tell me is a Spanish idiom: "Ponte las pilas" which literally translates to "put your batteries on.” It's a phrase used to encourage you to do your best and get to work. So yes, while it might get hard and stressful, it's time to use all the knowledge you've learned to get out there and work hard.

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