August 2024

I have wanted to be a dentist since I was eight years old with an elementary understanding of what a dentist does. I thought that it sounded like the best job to complement professional dog walking and teaching yoga (I must have been imagining a future in which I have unending energy). As I learned more about the oral health world through shadowing in high school, performing research in college, working in various positions, and examining oral healthcare through a graduate-level public health lens, I could not imagine a line of work more intriguing and rewarding. The more experiences I have with patients and with each niche research subject, treatment option, and developing policy I learn about, I am drawn deeper into the many facets of oral health. The spark of interest in dentistry I had when I was eight continues to flare as I explore oral health further- as well as my respect for professional dog walkers and yoga teachers.

I was fortunate to attend the most recent PCOH biannual summit, and afterwards inquired about their recent work to help form my Masters of Public Health thesis. That inquiry began an ongoing relationship and I so appreciate how welcoming Helen and the whole PCOH team have been in letting me become involved in the amazing work they do.

Maintaining a healthy work-life balance while working in a field I am so passionate about is something I have struggled with, especially in the last couple years. Thankfully, in having recently transitioned from being a part-time to full-time student, I have gained hindsight on how working in certain environments can take a toll on my physical and mental health. I hope to keep this lesson with me as I continue my career after dental school: I must create healthy boundaries to stay well enough to serve people in the long-term. Another challenge I would like to share- as I have so appreciated when others do- is being self-conscious or embarrassed of my winding path and failing to partake in the ‘traditional’ route to being a dentist. If I had, I would have already graduated from dental school like some of my college classmates have. As part of my personal story, that was not a realistic option for me. Currently I am a post-baccalaureate student at Kornberg School of Dentistry as I finish my thesis for my Master of Public Health, and not a dental student- yet. However, it is the accumulated experiences on my winding path thus far that have brought me to a beautiful place in my personal life and made me a more rounded person, and therefore a better future provider. I now strongly advocate for people to take at least one gap year between college and dental school, and to take their time to form into the best whole person they can be.

Medicaid and Medicare drastically increasing population and dental service coverage and becoming widely compatible with private practices.

Witnessing and partaking in the emotional impacts of dentistry with patients. I love talking with patients, hearing their stories, and helping them overcome their fears. That, and seeing someone walk out with a new pair of dentures, showing off their smile to everyone, is my favorite part of dentistry.

Whenever I get home it is so nice to take a breath and remember that there is a life outside of work and school and that I am so lucky to have an amazing little family and beautiful home. Ideally, after a long day at school, I’ll take a nap between spending time with my wonderful husband and our two dogs and three cats, and then on the weekend work on home improvement projects together.