If a patient tells me, “My dentist says bacon and soda works just as good as toothpaste!” it’s my job to tell them, “That’s baking soda!” It’s also my job to tell them soda is bad for their teeth! That being said, we can conclude that it is not my job to be a comedian. If I’ve got your attention with or without my humor, please read on to learn more about why I chose this career!
Let’s rewind back to my childhood… I’ve always wanted to help people! Every time someone asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up, I had a different answer. “Teacher…Firefighter…Astronaut…Doctor…..Police Officer, etc” until I finally settled on a constant answer. “Pediatrician”! I adore children and I love to help people. It would have been the best of both worlds. I eventually was old enough and began volunteering at my pediatrician’s office. It wasn’t until then that I discovered how heartbreaking it would be to have that job. I could never see myself pricking a newborn baby with a needle to perform a necessary blood test without crying with the whole family; their cries ringing in my ears.
It was back to the drawing board!
I attended SUNY Albany in 2014. Over the course of 2 years and multiple changes in my Major, I went back home to figure out what I wanted to do.
I had a love for Art and Science, and I knew that for sure! But I know myself, I can’t do the same exact thing every single day for the rest of my life. I needed to find a career that I would love and make me happy as well as fulfill the sense of change I know I need. I always found myself going back to medicine but didn’t want to spend 12 years in school and risk not having a family.
I was at my regular dentist’s appointment and the dentist happened to be a family friend, like an uncle to me. And like any uncle, he’d been trying to get me into dentistry for the longest time! He was also sick of me changing my major every two seconds, so he told me about Dental Hygiene. I hadn’t seen a hygienist since I was a kid, maybe 7 yrs old, I had forgotten they existed. Yikes! My dentist always gave me my cleanings. I decided to humor him and looked into the field. It checked off every single one of my boxes! It was related to medicine, I would be helping people, I’d still get my fair share of working with children, and the employment options are endless! I immediately applied to NYCCT, did my pre-requisites, A-ced all my classes, and began the program!
Here I am, 3 years later, Stephanie Dirani RDH, AAS! I am so in love with this career, and looking forward to receiving my Bachelor’s degree, educating myself in Forensic Odontology, and continuing further to Dental School! It looks like my dentist finally got what he wanted!
My end goal is to make sure my patients have a healthy smile that comes from the heart! I start by asking “How can I help?” It’s my Fl-ossophy!
Thank you! Click-on to discover more about my experience!
