“Strap in, kid, it’s about to be a heck of a ride — but oh, it’s so worth it.”

That’s how Karla describes her journey through Austin Community College District’s (ACC) Dental Hygiene program.

Karla started at ACC in 2020, right after COVID, balancing full-time work with part-time classes. 

“Before applying to the program, I (knew) how difficult and competitive it was to get in. Every time I mentioned to a professor that I was going to apply, they would smile and say, ‘good luck,’ because they knew how rigorous it is to even get to the application stage.”

All that hard work paid off when she was accepted — a moment she’ll never forget. 

“Finding out I got in was the most exciting moment of my student journey,” she says. “Even though there are moments where I’m deeply humbled in clinic during patient care, and moments where I feel on top of the world after a big test, there’s nothing else I’d rather be pursuing.”

For Karla, ACC’s clinic experience is where everything comes together. “It’s very helpful to be able to complete my clinicals at ACC, especially since there isn’t a single session that goes by where the faculty isn’t ready to help or provide constructive feedback,” she says. “It’s a reminder that I’m not alone — there are amazing professors ready to guide me toward my most successful future self.”

Working with real patients has given her the confidence to handle anything.

 “Knowing that as a student I’m not only learning along the way, but also helping someone in the process is one of the best feelings.”

Karla’s favorite moment came when her class became the first certified to administer local anesthesia to patients. 

“It felt like the first time I rode the Iron Rattler as a 10-year-old at Six Flags — terrified, but after it was over, it was the best feeling in the world,” she says. “The joy definitely filled the clinic that day. I had the zoomies after I finished mine and felt like I could run to the moon and back!”

When she graduates in 2026, Karla plans to work in a local dental office — ideally with kids. “I worked in pediatric dentistry for about eight years, and there will always be a special place in my heart for working with kids and helping them prevent dental caries and gum disease.”

Her advice for future students: “Don’t slack on your prerequisites. Once you get in, life moves at 100 mph, so take the days as they come. Romanticize the time in school. If you don’t, you’ll blink and miss it.”

For Karla, this wild ride has been worth every twist and turn. “For anyone out there who thinks it’s impossible — it’s challenging, but definitely not impossible. You hold more power than you think.”

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

You can get affordable dental care from students like Karla at the ACC Dental Hygiene Clinic at Eastview Campus. Schedule your free screening at austincc.edu/dentalclinic.

Tags: Dental Clinic, Dental Hygiene, Dentist, Health Science