Mercy Health Center
During my time volunteering at Mercy Health Center, I worked as a dental assistant alongside dental residents and dentists, supporting patients during procedures such as restorations and extractions. This experience helped me see how important access to care is for people who might otherwise not receive dental treatment. My public health education helped me better understand the barriers many patients face, such as transportation challenges, cost, and limited insurance coverage. I was able to see patient interaction not only from a clinical perspective but also from a community health perspective. I began to recognize how oral health connects to overall health and quality of life.
VAW Global Dental Trip
During my VAW Global dental trip to Peru, I had the opportunity to observe dentistry in a global health setting and see how access to care can look very different in other parts of the world. I worked alongside dental providers who were treating patients with limited resources, which showed me how important prevention and education are in communities that may not have regular access to dental services. My public health classes helped me better understand how social and environmental factors affect oral health outcomes across different populations. I also learned how cultural awareness and communication are very important when working with patients from different backgrounds. This experience strengthened my interest in serving underserved communities and helped me see how dentistry and public health can work together to improve health on a larger scale.
VAW Global Certification
Dental Internship
This fall, during my dental internship at Mercy Health Center, I will be developing a patient education program that focuses on teaching patients about the importance of oral hygiene, prevention, and helping them better understand the purpose of the treatments and procedures they receive. Through my time volunteering there, I noticed how helpful it can be when patients are given clear explanations about their care and how prevention supports long-term oral health.
As part of this internship, I will be creating a program that dental volunteers can use to help explain preventive care, treatment steps, and how oral health connects to overall health. My public health education has helped me understand how education and prevention can improve health outcomes across communities, and this experience allows me to apply those skills in a real clinical setting. I am excited to help create something that can continue supporting patients even after my internship ends, and this project is an important step toward my goal of becoming a dentist who improves access to care through both treatment and education.
Brooke's Portfolio 