Katelyn Ross, B.S.D.H.

What is your hometown?

Greensburg, Pennsylvania

What made you interested in the field of dental hygiene?

A family friend who I met through my summer job introduced me to the career of dental hygiene. I didn’t have a set plan on what I wanted to do or where I wanted to go after high school; I just knew I wanted to do something healthcare-related in college. My family friend, Teresa, suggested that I shadow her at the dental office where she worked. The dental office she worked at was her father’s practice, and I ended up loving the experience! I researched different programs and colleges that offered the major of dental hygiene, and WVU ended up being the best fit for me!

Why do you feel this career will be rewarding and is the right fit for you?

Dental hygiene is a very rewarding career because you can directly improve people’s health. Hygienists help to prevent and manage conditions like periodontal disease, cavities, and even contribute to the early detection of oral cancers. I know this career is the right fit for me because I’m able to build relationships and a connection with my patients, as well as educate them about their oral health. Hygienists often see their patients every 3-6 months, so being able to build a trusting relationship is very important. I've always loved helping others, and now I can help others improve their smile and increase their confidence! 

Why did you choose WVU for your education?

I chose WVU for my education because it's not too far from my hometown, and I really liked how the dental hygiene program here is a 4-year program as opposed to a 2-year program. I really wanted to have that “college experience,” where I met new people and branched out on my own. Most of all, I really loved how WVU is split into three different “campuses” - Downtown, Evansdale, and Health Sciences. Being in the dental hygiene major, I am mostly at the Health Sciences Center, and I rarely interfere with other majors associated with the Evansdale Campus, like engineering, or the Downtown campus, like business. I like that all the healthcare-related majors are in one space! While I officially toured the university, I visited all three campuses, and I loved all three of them! 

What would you tell a prospective student about the program and your experience at the WVU School of Dentistry?

I would tell a prospective student to just breathe! It's very easy to get overwhelmed and caught up by everything incorporated in the major. I’ve learned to just prepare ahead of time as best as you can. Something else I would tell a prospective student is to also make time for yourself. You spend the majority of your time at the Health Science Center over the years, so it's imperative to find activities or hobbies that you enjoy to de-stress from school. It's important to put yourself first and take care of yourself!

Who has had the biggest impact on your college experience?

My mother has had one of the most significant impacts on my college experience. She has supported my success in numerous ways, including helping me study and showing genuine interest in my daily academic experiences, even though dentistry is a completely unfamiliar field to her. Explaining dental concepts to her has also strengthened my own understanding, as it mirrors the process of educating a patient on the information I've learned at WVU! Even on challenging days, my mom has shown her support by allowing me to just talk and share how my day went. I am so appreciative of her love and support throughout my years at WVU, and she has definitely been one of the biggest impacts on my college experience!

Tell us about experiences during your time in the WVU School of Dentistry that you particularly enjoyed.

I really enjoyed the time when my classmates and I were here in the summer for sophomore clinic! All 19 of us were experiencing our “firsts” together, whether that was seeing a patient, assisting a classmate, or observing how an appointment ran. That was a very special moment for me because I knew I wasn’t alone in the process of seeing my first patient.

I think one of my favorite class-related memories was visiting the different elementary schools in the area and teaching the students about the importance of dental hygiene and overall oral health. My classmates and I created lesson plans with games and activities while also teaching the students about oral hygiene. The kids had so much fun with the activities, and it was very rewarding hearing about what they’d learned while also watching the engagement of the activities.

I also really enjoyed the community service opportunities that my classmates and I could participate in together outside of school! In my senior year, the majority of the seniors participated in the Homecoming Parade downtown, and we had so much fun! I will cherish these memories for a lifetime!

Tell us about your rural rotation experience.

My rural rotation site was in Wheeling, WV. The office I worked at was a female-owned private practice, seeing patients of all ages – mostly kids, though! I really enjoyed my time at the office because it was different from what I do at the WVU Dental Clinic, and I really got a good feel for how private practice offices are run. I treated 52 kids and 84 adults – that's 136 patients in just 8 weeks! I was able to gain a lot of experience in a more family/pediatric dentistry setting. While I was in Wheeling, I learned that not every appointment is going to run smoothly, and that it takes a little while to get acclimated to a new practice. Every practice is run a little bit differently, but luckily, I worked with a great team who supported and helped me every step of the way! The staff at the office were very encouraging, and I left my rotation feeling much more confident as a clinician!

What are you planning to do after graduation?

After graduation, I am helping out at the WVU School of Dentistry in the dental hygiene sophomore clinic that runs in the summer! I will act as a “part-time” faculty member overseeing the work of the sophomore students. Once that opportunity concludes, I am moving back to Greensburg to work in a private family dentistry practice in Latrobe, Pennsylvania! Eventually, I plan to obtain my master’s degree in dental hygiene to hopefully teach at a 4-year bachelor’s program one day down the road!

As a soon-to-be graduate, what advice would you give to your freshman self?

Advice I would tell my freshman self is that it’s okay to challenge yourself and to step out of your comfort zone! I was always so scared of the change from high school into college, but these have been some of my best years yet! As long as you stay true to yourself, everything else will work out the way it's supposed to!

Anything unique or interesting about yourself that others might not know?

Something interesting about me is that I love the beach! I love the warm weather, the water, and the atmosphere of a beach town. One day, I plan to move to South Carolina or Florida and practice dental hygiene down there! 

I would also like to share that I received the LEDRS Scholarship from the School of Dentistry! The scholarship recognizes a student for Leadership, Ethics, Dignity, Respect, and Service, and I was extremely honored to have been chosen for that scholarship! In addition to the scholarship, I was selected as an award recipient for the Senior Awards Banquet Ceremony, and I am graduating with honors!