I'm the youngest of three daughters. All three of us had braces and had to make monthly visits to the orthodontist. I remember watching my sisters go to the orthodontist and return with new arrangements of decorative colors and chains on their teeth. Nothing made me more excited than the thought that one day, I'd finally get my own pair of braces on. When I finally got my braces at the age of 15, though it was painful, I loved everything about it. My favorite thing was when I would get a pastel pink power chain, though it was the most painful chain you could get, it was also the cutest. The orthodontist was the only doctor I was never scared to go to. There were no scary needles or unexpected procedures it was all very predictable: you go, you pick a color, they tighten your wires, and you're on your way. I eventually started to make friends with the orthodontist assistants and looked forward to every visit. And in becoming friends with them, I noticed the community they had built as an office. A big part of why I enjoyed going and why I see myself in this career path is the community and work environment. As a patient, I could feel the sense of community in the office, and not just among the employees. Chronically going to the same place creates a bond between patient and doctor. You could tell everyone inside trusted the medical professionals, and those who didn't just hadn't gotten enough time to get to know them yet. When I was finally done with my braces, I was terrified to take them off because I honestly liked how I looked with braces on, and I worried I wouldn't be pleased with the result. When they finally came off, I had this unexpected yet magical feeling when I looked in the mirror. As a teen, I had severe anxiety, and my anxiety often created irrational insecurity in me. I constantly thought people were staring at me and thinking the worst about me, but that day, I never felt so confident walking around the halls of my high school. I hope to give other people that magical and empowering feeling. Your smile is one of the first things people notice when they look at you, and as someone who's had to live with anxiety and insecurity, I want to give people that confidence boost that braces gave me. In the years to come, I expect to graduate with my Bachelor of Science in biology, earn my Doctorate in Dental Science and eventually specialize in orthodontics. I envision a clinic infused with the spirit of warmth and acceptance. A place where every patient feels valued and can leave with a beautiful smile. Whether my patients are forced to be there because of their parents or are excited to get a pink power chain, I will ensure they leave the seat with a confident smile by the end of our journey together.

I'm the youngest of three daughters. All three of us had braces and had to make monthly visits to the orthodontist. I remember watching my sisters go to the orthodontist and return with new arrangements of decorative colors and chains on their teeth. Nothing made me more excited than the thought that one day, I'd finally get my own pair of braces on. When I finally got my braces at the age of 15, though it was painful, I loved everything about it. My favorite thing was when I would get a pastel pink power chain, though it was the most painful chain you could get, it was also the cutest. The orthodontist was the only doctor I was never scared to go to. There were no scary needles or unexpected procedures it was all very predictable: you go, you pick a color, they tighten your wires, and you're on your way. I eventually started to make friends with the orthodontist assistants and looked forward to every visit. And in becoming friends with them, I noticed the community they had built as an office. A big part of why I enjoyed going and why I see myself in this career path is the community and work environment. As a patient, I could feel the sense of community in the office, and not just among the employees. Chronically going to the same place creates a bond between patient and doctor. You could tell everyone inside trusted the medical professionals, and those who didn't just hadn't gotten enough time to get to know them yet. When I was finally done with my braces, I was terrified to take them off because I honestly liked how I looked with braces on, and I worried I wouldn't be pleased with the result. When they finally came off, I had this unexpected yet magical feeling when I looked in the mirror. As a teen, I had severe anxiety, and my anxiety often created irrational insecurity in me. I constantly thought people were staring at me and thinking the worst about me, but that day, I never felt so confident walking around the halls of my high school. I hope to give other people that magical and empowering feeling. Your smile is one of the first things people notice when they look at you, and as someone who's had to live with anxiety and insecurity, I want to give people that confidence boost that braces gave me. In the years to come, I expect to earn my Doctorate in Dental Science and eventually specialize in orthodontics. I envision a clinic infused with the spirit of warmth and acceptance. A place where every patient feels valued and can leave with a beautiful smile. Whether my patients are forced to be there because of their parents or are excited to get a pink power chain, I will ensure they leave the seat with a confident smile by the end of our journey together.

I'm the youngest of three daughters. All three of us had braces and had to make monthly visits to the orthodontist. I remember watching my sisters go to the orthodontist and return with new arrangements of decorative colors and chains on their teeth. Nothing made me more excited than the thought that one day, I'd finally get my own pair of braces on. When I finally got my braces at the age of 15, though it was painful, I loved everything about it. My favorite thing was when I would get a pastel pink power chain, though it was the most painful chain you could get, it was also the cutest. The orthodontist was the only doctor I was never scared to go to. There were no scary needles or unexpected procedures it was all very predictable: you go, you pick a color, they tighten your wires, and you're on your way. I eventually started to make friends with the orthodontist assistants and looked forward to every visit. And in becoming friends with them, I noticed the community they had built as an office. A big part of why I enjoyed going and why I see myself in this career path is the community and work environment. As a patient, I could feel the sense of community in the office, and not just among the employees. Chronically going to the same place creates a bond between patient and doctor. You could tell everyone inside trusted the medical professionals, and those who didn't just hadn't gotten enough time to get to know them yet. When I was finally done with my braces, I was terrified to take them off because I honestly liked how I looked with braces on, and I worried I wouldn't be pleased with the result. When they finally came off, I had this unexpected yet magical feeling when I looked in the mirror. As a teen, I had severe anxiety, and my anxiety often created irrational insecurity in me. I constantly thought people were staring at me and thinking the worst about me, but that day, I never felt so confident walking around the halls of my high school. I hope to give other people that magical and empowering feeling. Your smile is one of the first things people notice when they look at you, and as someone who's had to live with anxiety and insecurity, I want to give people that confidence boost that braces gave me. In the years to come, I expect to earn my Doctorate in Dental Science and eventually specialize in orthodontics. I envision a clinic infused with the spirit of warmth and acceptance. A place where every patient feels valued and can leave with a beautiful smile. Whether my patients are forced to be there because of their parents or are excited to get a pink power chain, I will ensure they leave the seat with a confident smile by the end of our journey together.