I am 28 years old, married to my husband Matt, and I have wanted to become a dental hygienist for a few years now. At the age of 18, I started working as an instrument sterilizer at an orthodontist office in 2006. After a few months my employer gave me the opportunity of furthering my career by sending me to the Maryland State Dental Association in Maryland. I took a few classes and gained my radiology and my expanded functions certification. I was trained to take panoramic and cephalometric x-rays. Soon after I was trained to work chairside. I moved to Virginia in 2010 and started working at KlarVoorhees Orthodontics. During my first year at KlarVoorhees Orthodontics my employers encouraged me to go back to school because they knew it was a dream of mine. …show more content…
This past December we decided to move back to Virginia because I knew the Dental Hygiene Program at Old Dominion University was the program I wanted to be part of. I have always enjoyed working with patients whether they are young children or adults. During my years of working chairside, I was able to form bonds with patients and gain their trust. I love helping people, especially when it comes to oral health care. These reasons made me want to further my career from a dental assistant to a dental hygienist. I have great expectations of the Dental Hygiene Program and this is why I choose to move back to Virginia. I know that I made the right choice because I have heard wonderful stories from graduating hygienist. I know this program will make me the best dental hygienist and challenge me in the ways that will only make me a stronger health care