I always told myself that when I finally chose to invest my money and time into a bachelor’s degree, that I would make sure it was for a career that I loved and was dedicated too. I chose this career because dental is my passion. I have worked with so many patients across Western Kentucky and Southern Illinois since 2019 as a dental assistant. I can’t tell you what drew me to my career, but I can tell you that what kept me in the field was the amazing patients that I have gotten to meet and help treat over the years. One thing that I have learned from my years as an assistant is that people aren’t ignoring their oral health, they just don’t always have the access, finances, or the support they need to get help until it’s too late. There have been so many moments that made this path feel real for me, but the ones I’ll never forget are the patients who were just grateful to finally be out of pain or to feel heard. I’ve had patients hug me after appointments, and that’s a feeling you can’t put into words. Those experiences made me realize I wanted to do more than just assist. I want to be the one who could actually take the time with patients, explain things in a way they understand, and make them feel comfortable. Going back to school at my age wasn’t the easiest decision. I am a single mom, and I commute over an hour and a half to school because there is no Dental Hygiene program local to me. I had to leave my full-time job to make this happen, which took years of planning, saving, and honestly just taking a leap of faith. There are days it’s exhausting, and there are days I feel the weight of it all, including the mom guilt I have because of the time I am missing with my daughter, but I’ve never questioned if it’s worth it. I know why I’m doing this, and I hope this alone shows my dedication to this career. Being in the Dental Hygiene program at SIU has really pushed me, especially trying to balance school, clinic, and life outside of it. It’s not always easy, but I’ve worked hard to stay on top of everything and keep moving forward. I’ve learned a lot, not just in the classroom, but in how to work with patients and build confidence in what I’m doing. Earning my bachelor’s degree means I’ll be able to do more for the people I care about helping. My end goal is to be a dental hygienist that patients feel comfortable coming to because they know I’m not there to judge them. This isn’t just a job to me, and I won’t stop until I walk across that stage knowing I earned every bit of it.