Introduction

Hi all, my name is Le Van La, and I was born and grew up in Vietnam. I’ve been living in the U.S. since June 2019. Moving to another country was a big adjustment—everything was new and unfamiliar. The culture, language, and daily life were completely different from what I was used to. It felt like I had to start over: new relationships, new environment, and a new version of myself outside of my comfort zone.

Thanks to the constant support of my family, I stayed motivated to finish high school and pursue college here. Despite all the challenges, my curiosity and passion for learning new things never faded. Growing up in Vietnam, I was surrounded by many misconceptions about dental care. Interestingly, there is no official career title for “dental hygienist” in Vietnam. The dental system there is very different—dental education usually requires six years of study and high tuition costs, so most people pursue a career as a dentist. Dental insurance is also limited or nonexistent, so most people only seek treatment for emergencies or cosmetic purposes.

This background is one of the key reasons why I chose to pursue a career in dental hygiene. I was curious—curious about the role dental hygienists play, how they educate patients, and how they help prevent oral diseases before they even start. I want to help correct misconceptions and spread awareness about the importance of preventative care.

In many communities, especially where dental hygiene isn’t recognized as a profession, oral health is often neglected. But research continues to show the strong link between oral health and overall health—periodontal disease has been linked to conditions like diabetes, heart disease, and stroke. I believe that through education, compassion, and prevention, dental hygienists have the power to change lives.