When Maritza Estrada visited the 黑料不打烊 Tucson campus to learn more about its Pharmacy Technology program, she also saw Dental Assisting program students learning, hands-on, and her interest was piqued.
鈥淚 really wanted to do Pharmacy Tech,鈥� Maritza says, 鈥淏ut when I looked into the Dental Assisting program and learned about all of its opportunities, and then really thought about it, I realized I鈥檓 a much more hands-on person鈥攁nd that the program would be a better fit for me.鈥�
Martiza soon enrolled in the Dental Assisting program; once she was settled in, she began to recognize what a difference she could help make in a person鈥檚 life.
鈥淚 realized I could help change someone鈥檚 smile and build their confidence,鈥� she says, 鈥淎nd having that confidence could help lead to more opportunities in that person鈥檚 life.鈥�
Maritza is now in her fifth term of the Dental Assisting program, currently focusing on radiology, and she is about to begin her externship with a local dental office, Risas Dental and Braces.
鈥淲e (dental assisting students) are trained in all the dental specialties, so I could go into any specialty,鈥� she explains. 鈥淏ut in this particular externship, I鈥檒l get experience in both general dentistry and orthodontics.鈥�
COVID-19 has presented its challenges during her course of study, but Maritza says the teachers and students are making it work.
鈥淏efore COVID, we alternated lecture days with lab days on campus,鈥� she explains. 鈥淏ut since COVID, we started doing lab days at home along with lecture. It was different, not as hands-on. We would watch videos, use the book for procedures, and then the teachers would explain things in further detail.鈥�
Recently, the campus reopened its labs from 8 a.m. until 12:30 p.m.鈥攇iving her plenty of opportunity to catch up on labs missed during the shutdown.
鈥淚t will be super hands-on,鈥� she says, excited. 鈥淣o lecture. It鈥檚 us doing procedure along with the instructor there to watch, guide, and grade us. There is not a moment in lab when we aren鈥檛 doing anything鈥攊t鈥檚 such a busy day.鈥�
In labs, students can complete procedures such as composite restoration (they practice every stage, from seating a patient to walking them out the door) or instrument sterilization. Sometimes students are scored to give them an idea of how they are doing or what needs improvement鈥攁nd the teacher is always there, willing to help. Maritza鈥檚 favorite part of the program is her teacher, Ms. Sasha Czyzewski.
鈥淪he鈥檚 the greatest,鈥� Maritza says. 鈥淪he makes everything so fun. If things in lecture get a little boring, she tosses a ball to us as she asks questions to engage us, she tells us personal stories about her own career experiences, things she learned on the job.鈥�
Martiza鈥檚 commitment, dedication, and enthusiasm鈥攊n class and out鈥攈as not gone unnoticed by her teacher, and she is an important part of the 黑料不打烊 student mentor program. To be considered for the mentor program, students must have at least a 3.0 GPA, regular class attendance, and attend mentor meetings. Mentors are especially helpful for first-term students, who are sometimes overwhelmed and benefit from the extra support and guidance of a buddy.
鈥淚 always assign Maritza to a first-term student mentee,鈥� says Ms. Czyzewski. 鈥淪he is very responsive and gets back to them right away. Often first-term students are afraid to ask questions in class or come directly to me with questions; she acts as a liaison. She鈥檚 also great at helping with tech issues. Students sort of wander to her for help鈥攕he鈥檚 a natural leader, she takes great notes, and she pays close attention. Even in her second term, she was ready to help mentor her peers.鈥�
Maritza鈥檚 teacher also relies on her to lead other mentors in her absence, and she knows she can count on her to show up at every new student orientation.
鈥淪he sets people at ease,鈥� Ms Czyzewski says. 鈥淪he makes people feel comfortable from the get-go and has a level of dedication to her fellow students that鈥檚 rare.鈥�
Maritza is destined to find success in a career that fits her so well; it comes naturally to her to help others feel good, be their best, and find their true smile.
