For Pam Coy, Austin Community College District’s (ACC) Dental Hygiene program is more than a degree. It’s the next step in a lifelong career in dentistry.

Pam has worked in the dental field for 25 years, beginning as a dental assistant at just 16 years old. Now, at 42, she’s finally chasing the dream she’s carried since her first day on the job: becoming a licensed dental hygienist.

“I do have experience working with patients. But not to this level. I absolutely love working with people and educating them on how to prevent oral health disease in the future.”

Pam began her journey at ACC in 2022 to complete the prerequisites for the Dental Hygiene program. She’s now on track to graduate in spring 2027 with an Associate of Applied Science in Dental Hygiene.

“It has been an emotional rollercoaster, with moments of doubting whether I belong here — to YES, I do belong here,” she says. “But it has also been a lot of fun and a great learning experience. ACC Dental Hygiene faculty have been outstanding and so helpful. They truly have your back. I’ve never had so much support.”

Her previous experience gives her a unique perspective in the classroom and lab. 

“I love that we have access to an amazing clinic here at ACC. Everything is up to date and organized,” Pam says. “We are currently working on our typodonts (model of the oral cavity), and next semester we’ll begin seeing real patients.”

Pam is part of the first class to use ACC’s newly expanded Dental Hygiene Clinic at the Eastview Campus — a space that has doubled in size and capacity, allowing more students like her to train on industry-standard equipment and prepare for real-world patient care.

“If you want to be a great clinician, you need to love working with people and be committed to promoting oral health and preventing dental disease, which plays a crucial role in overall health.”

Pam’s determination to advance her career is rooted in personal strength. After losing her husband in 2020 and facing job loss during the pandemic, she chose to rebuild — both for herself and her daughters.

“I took this opportunity to fulfill my dream and encourage my daughters to go after what she wants. It is scary, but so worth it.”

Pam credits her success to ACC’s supportive faculty. “Everyone has been amazing. “They truly care about your success and make sure you have what you need to grow into a confident clinician.”

Now, she’s combining her personal resilience with professional growth. “I can’t wait to graduate and fully explore my dental hygiene dream, build great relationships with my patients, and help them achieve great oral healthcare.”

For more information on ACC’s Dental Hygiene Program, visit austincc.edu/dentalhygiene. 

About The Clinic

The ACC Dental Hygiene Clinic at Eastview Campus is now accepting new patients. Students gain real-world experience providing affordable, supervised care while helping the Austin community smile brighter.

Learn more at austincc.edu/dentalclinic.

Tags: Dental Clinic, Dental Hygiene, health sciences