JUSTYNA VARELA
(original article from Dimensions of Dental Hygiene)
Having had traumatic dental experiences and developing dental anxiety as a child in Poland, becoming an oral health professional was perhaps the most unlikely career path for Justyna. She came to the US in 2000 as a participant in an au-pair exchange program, which places young people from other countries with a host family in the US to care for their children. Having lived with a wonderful family in New Jersey and helping them raise their children, Justyna’s inspiration to become a dental hygienist came from her very first visit to a dental office in the US. Despite her dental fear and anxiety, Justyna felt safe and cared for after her first appointment with her dental hygienist, dentist, and their office staff. In her own words,
“That first visit had a huge impact on me. I felt so inspired by the level of care, kindheartedness, warmth, and empathy from the hygienist. The impact of that first visit stayed with me for years, and every time I thought of a career path I might want to take, dental hygiene was the very first thing that came to mind. I just knew in my heart that I wanted to be that kind of person for someone else.”
Justyna’s passion for dental hygiene is evident in her hard work in every course she has taken in our program and her compassionate care for every patient she sees.
