Madelene de Castro is a third-year student in the Dental Hygiene degree program, the only one of its kind in British Columbia. She was inspired as a child by her aunt, who is a dentist, and although her mother wanted her to study nursing, “I wasn’t interested in the whole body back then. But as I advance in the program I am realizing that oral health is an important part of overall health,” she says. “I’ve wanted to be a dental hygienist since I was in high school.” A bursary from UBC is helping Madelene fulfill her dream.

The Dental Hygiene program is highly competitive and growing in popularity each year. Madelene is part of the first graduating class in the new Entry to Practice program, in which students attend UBC for all four years. The other program, called Direct Entry, requires students to attend UBC in first and fourth years, and to study at Vancouver Community College, College of New Caledonia or Camosun College in second and third years.

Dental Hygiene students must pay an annual clinic fee of over $8,000 on top of tuition, student fees and books. Madelene’s full course load, combined with clinic work two nights a week and Saturday morning, means a part-time job to help offset these costs is out of reach. “Tuesdays and Thursdays are 12-hour days,” she says, “but I really enjoy the clinical practice.”

“Last year I really struggled financially. When you’re trying to study, thinking about money all the time is really stressful.” Madelene consulted a financial advisor in Enrolment Services, and discovered that a student loan would only cover 25% of her clinic fee.

Madelene was able to remain in the Dental Hygiene program thanks to the Edwin H.K. Yen Bursary in Dentistry. Dr. Yen was Dean of the Faculty of Dentistry from 1994 to 2007, and the bursary was endowed by alumni and friends in his honour.

Although most people are still likely to encounter a hygienist in their dentist’s office, Madelene is quick to point out how the profession is changing. “Dental hygienists are working in public health, administration, and research as well as in private dental practices. So far I’ve been doing some workshops with kids in grades 2 and 3, as well as ESL students. I like teaching them about good dental care and answering their questions.”

Next semester Madelene will have a clinical placement at Douglas College in New Westminster. “I strive to work hard and do my best so that I can contribute to the community. The financial assistance I received really helped me do this,” she says.

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