Who I Am
Welcome! My name is Makayla, and I am honored to have you here. Dentistry is my passion, and has been for as long as I can remember. Here is a little look into my life and who I am.
Where My Passion Began
As a child, I was always excited to go to the dentist—not just for the appointment, but because I loved watching how the dentist worked and interacted with the assistants and other team members. I wanted to understand everything they were doing.
When I got my braces placed the week before entering 6th grade, my curiosity only grew. I watched nearly every video I could find beforehand, and when the day of my appointment came, I excitedly narrated each step to my orthodontist as he worked. Thankfully, he was incredibly patient and saw my enthusiasm as endearing rather than annoying… even though I’m sure my appointment took much longer than necessary.
Photo taken by instructor during dental assisting program
The First Spark
A defining moment in my path toward dentistry happened when I was six years old. One of my younger brothers had a loose tooth, and I confidently took matters into my own hands—I pulled it for him.
Almost a year later, at seven, my neighbor also had a loose tooth. Knowing how fascinated I was with teeth, and given that I assured her that I was “a professional and have done it before”, she let me pull hers as well. She immediately ran to her parents, startled, but later admitted that the extraction didn’t hurt—she was only scared because she didn’t think I would actually go through with it.
Her parents looked at me, amused, and jokingly said, “Well, you’re either going to be an amazing dentist or a serial killer.”
Thankfully, my love for dentistry and people persists today, and I am still on the first path.
Photo taken by my mother
Why Dentistry Still Has My Heart
Dentistry is something I bring up in almost every conversation—sometimes without even realizing it. It has shaped me, motivated me, and inspired me for as long as I can remember. Whether it’s learning, teaching, or simply talking about teeth, it’s the one thing that consistently brings me peace and sparks my interest.
Photo taken by my mother