As a kid, I thought nothing beats the feeling of getting out of school for a dental appointment…until I got a pretty big cavity! My mother, shocked and worried, scheduled an appointment for a filling. Afterwards, I got scolded by the dentist for having a sweet tooth. Once the appointment was done, I asked my mother, for the first time, if she had ever gone to the dentist. My mother explained that she only ever went twice: once to remove a tooth and second for a check-up. My mom is from a small town in Mexico without dental clinics. However, one day, my mother experienced intense pain due to an extra tooth growing in her gum line. My grandparents saved lots of money to get her to a dental clinic in a nearby city. The second time she went was in the United States for a check-up, where the dentist found 11 cavities. However, nothing got fixed because she couldn’t afford treatment for even one cavity. Although she couldn’t access good dental care, my mom ensured my brother and I did. She always taught us to take good care of our teeth because oral health is vital for overall health. 

My mother isn’t wrong: teeth are a vital part of our essential functions in life. For example, they allow us to eat delicious foods, speak with our families and friends, and shine our beautiful smiles. However, the health of our teeth affects how we perform these functions. Poor oral health is often linked to gum disease, heart disease, diabetes, low self-esteem, and oral cancer. All of these diseases and issues can be prevented through consistent dental care. Unfortunately, there are many disparities in accessing dental care in my urban community. Those include geographic disparities, racial disparities, and economic disparities. This means that where you live, your origin, and your income can affect your access to good quality dental care. Often, there is also a language barrier when receiving care. 

I think back to my mother’s experience and know that if she had better access to dental care, she would have had more confidence and less dental health issues now as an adult. Because of my mother’s lack of dental care, I was inspired to volunteer for an organization called Vibrant Health, which serves my community’s health and dental needs. I volunteer as a dental assistant in training and a Spanish translator for the Hispanic community. As a translator, I can make patients feel more comfortable and confident, and my patients will know that I can understand and communicate their tooth issues and needs. So far, the volunteer work has taught me that everyone should have access to good quality dental care. This is why I want to pursue a college degree in dental hygiene after high school.

 My supervisors at Vibrant Health also informed me that once I enter a dental hygiene program, I will have the opportunity to continue to volunteer with nonprofits that provide dental services to the public. Once I obtain my degree, I will be able to contribute more by actively serving my community by offering high-quality dental care. I will also be able to start cleaning teeth, focusing on gum health, and teaching people preventative care. On top of that, I will have the chance to educate future dental professionals. This would help combat the shortage of dental providers, another factor causing limited access to dental care. Additionally, my skills as a dental hygienist will be used for back-to-school fairs and other community events. 

Overall, I can’t wait to provide free dental care to people in my community and know that I have improved their quality of life. With my services, my community will be able to eat comfortably, communicate more clearly, and smile endlessly. I hope this legacy of expanding access to dental care gives my community an everlasting smile.