Back to the Beginning

Not all dentists wait until graduation to officially begin their journey into dentistry. I was fortunate enough to get an early start to my dental career, as I worked as a dental assistant at Neibauer Dental Care even before stepping into dental school.

Early on, I had a passion for art, science and helping others, so I knew dentistry would provide the perfect mix of those desires. While applying to dental school, I wanted to seek out as much knowledge in the field as I could. As a dental assistant at Neibauer Dental Care, I fulfilled that goal. Working with the senior doctor and staff, I learned a lot about both clinical care and the atmosphere of a dental office. It was an incredibly valuable experience to have early in my career.

Carrying this early knowledge and experience, my next stop was the Howard University College of Dentistry in Washington D.C., where I graduated with my Doctorate of Dental Surgery. Subsequently, I completed a general practice residency in San Francisco, and I was primed to move forward. Based on my previous experience at Neibauer Dental Care, I knew I wanted to work in practice that had a similar mindset, focused on continuing education and promoting doctor leadership. After learning that Neibauer had affiliated with Heartland Dental, I decided to seek out opportunities to affiliate with the organization.

I first met the Heartland Dental recruiting team at an Academy of General Dentistry convention. After speaking with them, providing my information and interviewing a week later, I officially became an affiliated dentist. In addition, I returned to Neibauer Dental Care. From the start, I knew I made the right choice. On my first day back with Neibauer, I filled in for another dentist. This was a little scary; being without a senior dentist to consult with, helping patients who didn’t know me and who were expecting their regular dentist. However, my team and administrators’ support made it painless. I left feeling accomplished that I met the challenge. There is no where else I would have received that level of commitment.

only allow me to practice two days a week, with no benefits or malpractice insurance. Now I feel like it’s a 180-degree difference. I have stability, and my credentialing and insurance is taken care. Also, if I wanted to relocate, I would have that option. With so many affiliate opportunities throughout the country, I have the flexibility to move to a location of my preference and stay with the same company. I come to work in the morning at a state-of-the-art office with a great team, a team that I put together and helped train, a team that operates as one fluid unit and functions efficiently.

From starting as a dental assistant and returning as a dentist, I look forward to growing further alongside the company with which I began.

Now at Neibauer Dental Care in Bowie, Md., I’ve continued to build upon my skills each day, learning things not always available in dental school, such as becoming a leader and communicating with team members and patients. I have a small army of people helping me out personally and professionally, including my team, administrators and Heartland Dental’s home office support. Everyone seeks to help me learn more and be the best dentist I can be while providing whatever I need. The support of fellow affiliated dentists is also only a call or click away.

While completing my residency as a new graduate, trying to find a position where I was living was a daunting task. Basically, I was fighting for positions that would