Articles

Coleman Colleague, Alfa-Hadassa Castaneda, Class of 2006

Nov 14, 2024

From dental assistant to dental hygienist to dental practice manager: Meet Alfa-Hadassa Castaneda Dental Assisting, Class of 2006!

Name
Alfa-Hadassa Castaneda

City/Town of Residence
Houston

Hometown & High School
Houston, Willowridge High School

Degree or Certificate Program
Dental Assisting Certificate Program

Year of Graduation
Class of 2006

Title & Place of Employment
Dental Practice Manager, San Jose Clinic

Why did you choose HCC Coleman College?
I chose HCC Coleman College because it offered the program I was interested in pursuing. The location was also very appealing, as it is both in the Texas Medical Center and next to the MetroRail.

Why did you choose your program of study?
I volunteered once as an interpreter for a dental event, and it piqued my interest in the field of dentistry. I decided to become a dental assistant to expand my knowledge of this field and gain experience in the workforce. This enabled me to reaffirm my pursuit further into the world of dentistry.

What did you like best about your college experience?
I really enjoyed being in the new, state-of-the-art facility.

What did you like best about your program of study?
What I enjoyed most about the Dental Assisting program was that we had many opportunities for hands-on learning, and that is what I thrive on! We were also sent on externships to real offices to hone in on our skills and experience.

When you were tired, what motivated you to push forward?
What kept me motivated was that I knew all my classes were going towards me completing my program and beginning a new career.  I also loved that my instructors were genuinely excited about what they did, and it became infectious.

What advice can you offer to help other students succeed?
If you chose to do it, do it well! Don’t waste time or money.

Ask ALL the questions while you’re in school because that’s when you’ll have the support you need. 

How did your education change or improve your life?
SO much has changed in my life since I completed the Dental Assisting program. Having this education literally opened up my world of possibilities.

My first dental assisting job came right out of school with one of the offices I was on rotation with. The doctor became my mentor as I continued my education. I eventually earned my bachelor’s degree (BSDH) from the UTHealth Houston School of Dentistry.

I have been a Dental Hygienist for 11 years now, and I currently work as the Dental Practice Manager at the San Jose Clinic and oversee the Midtown and Fort Bend dental clinics.