Individuals often find themselves uncertain about their career paths, but ever since I was a little girl, I’ve wanted to become a dental hygienist. My interest in dental hygiene sparked my grandmother, who grew up in poverty in the Philippines, raising a family of three all by herself. She never had access to proper dental care because she couldn't afford it. Due to the high costs of dentist visits, she put her kids' health first and neglected herself. She struggled with bad teeth throughout her life, and as a result, she rarely smiled. She never purposefully showed her teeth in photos or in person because she was embarrassed. Growing up and seeing how this affected her deeply inspired me to pursue a career in dental hygiene. I want to ensure that …show more content…
Along with this interest in dental hygiene, I have also conversed with family and friends who are already in the industry. They have provided me with dependable advice and insight into what working in established dentistry is like and the type of work a dental hygienist does daily. When it came to picking what college I wanted to attend, VCU quickly became my top choice due to its highly regarded dental program. I knew I wanted to stay in Virginia for my education, and VCU’s School of Dentistry stood out for its strong reputation and academics. What solidified my decision even more was a conversation I had with my dentist, who graduated from VCU. He shared how the program not only provided him with training, but also had a very supportive environment that helped him thrive. He emphasized how the community around VCU offered excellent opportunities for networking and professional growth, which helped with building connections and resources needed to be successful in the field. His words combined with VCU’s reputation made it clear to me that this is the college I want to build the foundation for my career in dental