A day in their scrubs
Hometown: Houston, Texas
Undergrad institution: University of Houston
Why Texas A&M College of Dentistry: Impressions Day with my undergrad predental club was the experience I had been waiting for. I remember asking multiple students if they were all truly as happy as they seemed and each one said yes! Now that I am in their position, being able to say you’re “happy” under the duress of dental school is a BIG deal.
Dental school success strategy: The book “Seven Habits of Highly Effective People” teaches to first learn to depend on yourself and then depend on others to achieve levels you cannot reach on your own. Understand your own strengths and weaknesses, then lean on classmates when you need that extra oomph. This is the strategy I used, especially in times of back-to-back exams.
Favorite energy food: Café Bustelo espresso with cinnamon, brown sugar and (sometimes) whipped cream in a cute mug is how I start my day. I learned this recipe while visiting a friend in Puerto Rico and fell in love!
How you unwind after a long day in lecture, lab or clinic: My favorite thing to do is lie poolside after a long, tiring day of air conditioning and uncomfortable PPE. Fresh air and cool water allow me to decompress as if I am a world away from the rat race.
Best dental school moment so far: Seeing the margins of my first crown properly sealed on the confirmation radiograph was that moment. So many things can go wrong leading up to and during this appointment that I did not breathe until this moment.
Favorite patient care experience: Receiving my first gift from a patient was amazing. It represents their satisfaction and gratitude in being helped with an oral health issue. We never know the impact we have on people during appointments, so these are the moments I came to dentistry for.
Goal after graduation: Create oral hygiene initiatives and mentoring programs in underserved elementary, middle and high schools. I want to teach kids and parents the importance of oral hygiene and expose them to dentistry as a career field.
What people may not know about you: I love food!! Making vegan or healthy substitutions of my favorite restaurant dishes feels like I have a cheat code (especially in a pandemic).