Dental hygienist works with ‘Kool Smiles’

Dental Hygiene majors are recognizable due to their bright smiles and one of the brightest smiles among the May 2010 graduates belonged to Joe Vela, a dental hygienist at “Kool Smiles” in Laredo.

He’s also quite recognizable standing at a height of 6 feet, 7 inches. He is one of a very few students to score a perfect 100 on the clinical exam for the Western Regional Examination Board, said Barb Bennett, co-director of the Allied Health Technology Division at TSTC Harlingen.

“The Harlingen program has a 97 percent passing rate for the national boards because it’s a very tough program that thoroughly prepares its graduates,” Vela said. “I wanted a career where I would not worry about down-sizing for personnel. I also wanted good hours, good pay and a good income for my family.”

He said that experiencing the “real world” of dental clinics during rotations, working closely with faculty and leading community service projects gave him a well rounded education.

Associate of Applied Science degree in Dental Hygiene

May 2010 / TSTC Harlingen

Dental Hygienist for Kool Smiles in Laredo, TX