Gene Denton 21

Growing up in a middle-class community, one major issue within the community is that many people can’t afford insurance. It’ll be the simplest things that may not be such a big deal to others that affect middle-class families. For example, annual checkups or even visiting the dentist are both basic health care. This topic is often swiped under the rug due to economic standards.

As someone who had experience not having basic insurance it was a struggle having to find affordable Health care. Experiencing this was really eye-opening, my family was fortunate to find an affordable dentist. My whole childhood I’ve grown up knowing that kids hate visiting the dentist but I actually loved going. It was exciting walking into the clinic watching all the patients leave with a smile on their faces and watching the dentists enjoying their job. I loved how every visit they treated my family and me with so much care and happiness. Even if they gave us bad news about our teeth they’d always find a way to bring light into the room.

Watching this inspired my passion for dentistry. I plan to study dental hygiene at a four-year university and over the years slowly move up to a higher position.  I plan to first obtain my associate’s degree in dental hygiene and work at a dental office for a few years until I gather enough money to go back to college and receive my bachelor’s degree in dentistry. 

 Not only do I plan to study dental hygiene, but I also plan to minor in business. After receiving a business degree I plan to open up a small clinic for the less fortunate. This clinic will include very affordable health care. When opening my small clinic I hope to inspire others to help the less fortunate and overall expand affordable health care around the world. I want to help patients feel comfortable and confident with their smiles. I want patients to recommend their close ones to my coworkers and me. Overall I want patients to feel as if the clinic is another safe place for them. Creating an opportunity like this for families will bring me so much joy. 

My plan is when Creating this clinic it will help families financially and help the families with so much stress they carry on their shoulders be relieved. Personally, family is a major factor that keeps me going. They push me to chase after my dreams. Growing up listening to my parents not being able to finish high school or even afford college has inspired me to succeed in my career. Knowing that I’ve done something to help my community and help families like mine will be an award for me. 

Ever since I was a little girl I’ve always wanted to help around my community. I’d go around my neighborhood, help my elderly neighbor cut their grass during summer, help them pick up leaves during autumn, and help shovel their driveways during winter. I always knew that I wanted to create a business that could help my community in a way and now as I see a different perspective it motivates me even more. Having both backgrounds and experiences in both dentistry and business will help me so much in the long run. The ability to give patients the right care that’s needed will come from my dentistry experience and the ability to help patients with affordable health care will come from my business background. Not only will the business background be helpful for affordable health care, but it’ll also be helpful when creating my own clinic.