Discovering my passion for dentistry was not always an easy journey. When I was younger, I disliked my smile because of my crooked teeth, and I struggled to take proper care of them. Every time I visited the dentist, I felt anxious that I might be judged for not taking better care of my teeth during previous appointments. This made me feel ashamed and self-conscious about my smile. However, my perception of dentistry changed when I switched to a new dentist who helped me overcome my fear of dental appointments and instilled in me a newfound appreciation for oral hygiene. The people in my new care team were patient and kind to me as I got my braces put in, and over time, they helped me build better habits in my oral hygiene. They sat down with me and helped me understand the importance of proper dental care, and they connected with me as a human in their chair rather than another patient to scale and lecture on habits. Their office was always neat and bright, and I often imagined myself working with patients beside my Orthodontist, puting in bands and taking radiographs as I found those the most entertaining parts in my visits. As I've grown older, I have discovered that I want to be one of the people who help alleviate dental anxieties and make patients feel secure in their care and smile. That is why I am currently enrolled in a rigorous Dental Hygiene program that will prepare me to begin my journey in dentistry. The courses I'm taking are very in-depth and challenging, but I know that this is the right path for me. I feel that being a dental hygienist will allow me to not only pursue my passion but also make a positive impact on people's lives by promoting good oral health and instilling confidence in them. I'm excited to continue on this journey and see where it takes me. This scholarship will provide me the opportunity to focus on my studies without worrying about the financial burden. It will allow me to afford the course materials and textbooks that I will be using in my clinical practice to help me reach my goal of working in dentistry. I believe that with hard work and dedication, I can become a valuable member of the dental community and make a positive impact on the lives of my patients.