Change

I was offered a dental hygiene job with Heartland Dental Care in the summer of 2008. In order to take the full time position with Heartland, I had to quit my job at the dental office where my Hygiene career began. I'll admit to this day I was intimidated. I was worried I would regret leaving the job I had become so comfortable with for one that I knew was a world apart from where I'd been. Working in private practice for three years meant that I had heard a lot of things about corporate dentistry and their so called "drive thru dental practices" with elaborate treatment plans and money hungry motives, but I took the job anyway.

I am so glad I took the job. The opportunity Heartland gave me turned out to be more than just a job. It changed my life. In the short year I worked with the wonderful people at Lifetime Smiles, my attitude and perspective completely changed. I learned about dentistry, team work, life, and myself. I established life long relationships, experienced both personal and professional growth, and developed an even greater passion for dentistry. I loved my job, my patients and my co-workers/friends. In December 2008, I was accepted to the University of Louisville School of Dentistry. After almost four years of practice I had finally found my place in the dental world, but I had to make a choice. I chose to quit my job and go to dental school, and then I cried.

I really cried. I cried so hard I couldn't drive home. I pulled over in the Meijer parking lot and sobbed for an hour. I didn't know how I was going to leave something that was so important to me. Like I said before, Heartland and the people there were a big part of my life and I felt like I was letting everyone down. Letting down my team, my patients, and myself. I walked away from something I truly loved in order to gain something I truly wanted. I made a choice and that choice brought me here.

Here I am about to finish my second year of dental school. Here I am thinking about all the change I have been through and all the change that is coming my way. Here I am blogging about the past in order to try and sort out the future, or to at least soften its fearful features. Here I am with the world in the palm of my hands, the world with all of its opportunity and choices. Here I am wondering what choices I should make and what kind of change my choices will bring...