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I had a series of bad experiences at the dentist when I was younger. I had to have a tooth extraction and numerous fillings. I was scared to go back to the dentist every six months because of the pain I vividly remember from the extraction and subsequent toothaches. The dentist was unfortunately not very communicative or understanding, at least in my memory as a bewildered child. When I was sixteen, I switched dentists. By then, I was still apprehensive about going. Her name is Dr. Reid. She picked up on the fact that I was anxious, and we spent some time discussing my past experiences. She made me feel comfortable with the procedure room and the process of getting my teeth cleaned just by asking a simple question.

That experience transformed my perspective on the field as a whole. I appreciated having someone to steer me through the discomfort and anxiety and understand the value of a receptive and forbearing professional. I no longer dreaded going; I didn’t procrastinate. It left such as strong impression on me that I wanted to learn more about the profession. So I sent an inquiry to my dentist asking if she could answer a few questions when she had the time. She promptly explained some of the basics: that I would need a bachelor’s degree, licensure, standardized test scores like DAT, and a doctorate in dentistry to become a dentist. She forewarned me that it was a challenging process, but if I had the interest and persistence to do it, I could have a fulfilling career.

I knew that I would need some first-hand experience to determine if dentistry was right for me, so I found a job as a non-certified dental assistant. My main function was to help dentists perform cleanings and minor surgeries like extractions; I got familiar with the equipment and various procedures. I was like a “kid in a candy shop”, as they say. I also had a chance to talk to patients and use some instruments or tools independently, such as x-rays. Because I enjoyed the day-to-day so much, the perfect balance between predictability and variability, I knew that this would be the career for me.

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