Three things were important to Brielle Anderson when she considered a career in the dental field: work in a professional environment, help people feel and look better and make a comfortable income. And, at an eager 20 years old, she wanted a fast-track education program to help her reach her goals. She found the perfect pathway in Carrington College’s Dental Hygiene program.
What stirred your interest in a Dental Hygienist career?
I always knew I wanted to do something medical, but didn’t want to be in school forever. As a high school junior on summer break, a dentist offered me on-the-job training as a dental assistant. I didn’t know what to expect but I caught onto things very quickly, and that experience sealed the deal for me to want to be in the dental field. And Dental Hygiene felt like the best option in this field.
How did Carrington College’s Dental Hygiene program fit your career training vision?
A lot of colleges I researched had a long waiting list and a point system that can take weeks to find out if you’re even accepted. Carrington College was recommended to me by hygienists that were not even part of the school. I loved Carrington College’s accelerated program that would allow me to get through it quickly. I got off wait lists at other schools. With their process I found out within two weeks that I was accepted.
How were you awarded the $1,000. Irving Wohl Memorial Scholarship at Carrington College Mesa?
Every first semester student is invited to apply for the Irving Wohl Memorial Scholarship award when they enroll. Mr. Wohl was 97-years old when he started coming to Mesa’s Dental Hygiene clinic’s complementary cleaning. It was always his birthday treat. He came every year until he died at 105 years old.
What was the biggest surprise about Carrington College’s Dental Hygiene program?
I thought I’d be in class 8-hours a day, five days a week! Especially because the program is accelerated, I expected there to be a lot more classroom hours. As someone who had to work while in school, I stressed a lot about finances and not being able to work enough hours. But the schedule of the program allowed me to manage work and school very well.
What is one of the best things about the Dental Hygiene program?
We have really great instructors in our program. They want you to succeed, rather than feeling like we’re just another name on a list. We’re encouraged to ask questions, to make mistakes because now is the time to make those mistakes and learn from them.
The relationship between subjects is comforting. Like radiology and biology – it all relates. It’s not like history and math.
What were your Dental Hygiene classmates like?
We would carpool with friends and had study groups. A big thing is that it’s not a competition; we’re all in the same boat and there’s no point in not helping each other. Just enjoying being here is such a blessing. We all find different resources and share them with anyone who may need them.
Do you struggle with classroom assignments?
I am pretty confident in classroom assignments, but there are stories in the classroom I look back on and laugh about. I was taking x-rays in a timed practice and didn’t look at the monitor. I got the cord in front of the receptor (device that x-ray beam hits) in most of my x-ray shots – which made most of them not at all diagnostic, usable. I got a good cry about it, but Ms. Stewart (instructor) told me to take a deep breath and assured me I would definitely never make that small mistake again.
Do you have strong family support while you’re in school?
I live at home with my parents, one older sister and two younger brothers and have great family support. I was always expected to succeed and now expect even more from myself. I hold myself to a high standard, and my parents know they do not have to monitor my schooling or grades. As for my siblings, they keep me humble, that’s for sure.
What inspires you to keep pushing forward?
I’m just inspired by the idea of being so young and having my whole life ahead of me. I’ll be done (with Dental Hygiene program) in May 2026 and I have a countdown in my head. Not a lot of people can say, at 22-years old, that they are starting a career at that point in their lives.
What advice do you have for others considering a Dental Hygiene career?
I didn’t have a huge gap in education (high school to Carrington College program), so that helped me a lot. But if you know this in something you want to pursue, dive in headfirst. If you’re not sure, shadow some different careers until you find what you’re passionate about. Without passion, it is very hard to motivate yourself to do well in any field.
And if you really want something, nothing can stop you.
What kind of career do you envision for yourself?
I’ve thought about many different possibilities – things that intrigue, intimidate and excite me; pediatric dental hygiene or travel dental hygienist. I’ve researched getting a Bachelor’s degree and seeing what doors that might open. At a young age, I am getting to do what I love and there are so many different paths I can take from here.
I’m excited to be exactly where I want to be, and I couldn’t be more grateful.
