What’s your why | Jenny Zamora-Garcia, Dental Hygiene
About Jenny Zamora-Garcia
Name: Jenny Zamora-Garcia
Hometown: Tucson, AZ
NAU Program: Dental Hygiene
What’s your why?
I want people’s teeth to last a lifetime.
Since I was 14 years old, it has been my passion to help others with oral care. My initial plan was to become an Air Force dentist.
For me, the first thing I would notice on someone was their smile. I was eager to find out how to help others have a healthy smile. When I was a dental hygiene student at NAU, I learned it took more than brushing your teeth to keep your mouth healthy. Brushing in conjunction with flossing, routine dental cleanings, eating a balanced diet and exercising could assist with maintaining a healthy mouth. The link between oral health and systemic health is vital. The mouth is the gateway to the rest of your body.
My goal was to share my dental knowledge and emphasize why it was important to visit the dentist on a regular regimen. I wanted everyone regardless of age to look forward to their dental cleaning. I want people’s teeth to last a lifetime. “Ignore your teeth and they will go away.” “Only brush and floss the teeth you want to keep.”
What’s your favorite part about being a dental hygienist?
I love and enjoy being creative in my approach to making dental care fun for all ages. In my position as a public health hygienist, I was eager to provide oral health education in an interactive way for the younger population.
Dressing as The Tooth Fairy
My favorite part was dressing as “The Tooth Fairy” when providing oral health education in a school-based setting. I would play different games curtailed around oral health. When a student answered correctly, I awarded them with a prize. Before I knew it, all the kids were raising their hands to participate in the game. I had many different costumes that would coincide with the new movie release. My costumes included The Power Ranger Tooth Fairy, Plaque Busters, Jessie the Cowgirl, Cinderella Fairy, Perla, from The Little Mermaid, Dorothy, Princess Leia, and the Molar Marauder.
Supervising NAU dental hygiene students
My other favorite part of being a dental hygienist is supervising NAU dental hygiene students in teaching hospital patients about the importance of oral health and its link to systemic health, as well as providing bedside oral care.
What advice do you have for others considering a career as a dental hygienist?
As a dental hygienist, you are a public servant making a difference in the health of others. Please look outside the box. Research all the jobs that can be performed by a dental hygienist.
Career paths in dental hygiene
How will you achieve the most gratification being a dental hygienist? You may choose from working in private practice, public health, administration, advocacy, grant writing, higher education, research, or as a dental company representative, or creating a new career path. Dental hygiene is an exciting field with so many ways to make a difference.
