(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Feeling self-conscious about one’s teeth is a common experience for many people.
For Faith Urbano, she turned a once-challenging discomfort with her teeth into a sense of purpose, which led her to pursue an associate degree in the Dental Hygiene program at Texas State Technical College’s Harlingen campus.
Urbano’s introduction to the dental hygiene profession came during her teenage years, as orthodontic treatment with braces led to frequent dental visits.
“The dental hygienist took time to educate me about my oral health,” the Brownsville native said. “They were kind, patient and explained everything clearly. Their caring nature made me consider a career in the dental field.”
Urbano explored her interest in dentistry further in South Texas ISD Medical Professions’ Dental Assistant program in Olmito, where her clinical experience reinforced her career goals.
“Seeing how happy patients were with the care provided by dental hygienists inspired me to want to make a difference as well,” she said.
After graduating high school, Urbano spent a year working as a dental assistant, where guidance from a dental hygienist helped influence her decision to study the career path at TSTC.
“I liked how the dental hygienist took time to talk with patients, and it helped me improve my communication skills,” she said.
Throughout four semesters in TSTC’s Dental Hygiene program, Urbano has learned to adapt to diverse situations, shaping a journey that has been both challenging and fulfilling.
“The program offers a strong learning experience, and it moves at a fast pace as we build new skills,” she said. “We’re encouraged to grasp what the instructors teach and apply it in our work. I’m excited for my final semester.”
As the spring semester begins Monday, Jan. 12, Urbano will start to visit dental offices and interact with patients where she will help guide them on what is best for their oral health.
Alumnus Jaime Davila is one of Urbano’s instructors.
“I’ve seen Faith’s clinical confidence grow since I became a new instructor in the program,” he said. “She has improved her skills in instrumentation, time management, organization and radiographs, all while showing empathy toward her patients.”
According to onetonline.org, dental hygienists in Texas earn an average annual salary of $94,490. The need for dental hygienists in the state was expected to grow 21% from 2022 to 2032, according to the website.
Registration for the spring semester is underway. For more information, go to tstc.edu.