Today we’d like to introduce you to Nancy Tran, RDH.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Nancy. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
My dental journey started after Hurricane Katrina in 2005. I am originally born and raised in New Orleans, LA and prior to moving to Houston, I worked in the medical field as a medical and chiropractic assistant.
With my work and school being affected, I relocated to Baton Rouge, LA and attended LSU for a year and decided to move back in 2006.
With jobs being scarce at the time, I applied at a dental office in Uptown New Orleans as a receptionist, and within two weeks, I found myself more excited to work with patients than working in the front office. My skills and eagerness to learn grew along with my passion for making a difference in someone’s smile and confidence. I became a dental assistant and later decided to move to Houston and pursue dental hygiene after 7 years practicing as a dental assistant. My passion for dentistry never dulled.
I wanted more in my career. I applied to dental hygiene school in 2010 and graduated in 2012. One thing that I’ve learned along the way, is that it’s not about how much you make or how knowledgeable you are in this field, what makes you stand out and be successful is your bedside manner & your ability to empathize and understand your patients and coworkers.
I mentor other dental professionals, volunteer on mission trips, and also spend a great deal of time investing creative ideas with others in the dental profession. After working so hard to get where I am professionally, I took time off to enjoy the little gems in life. Travel more, spend time with my daughter, & just live a little!
Has it been a smooth road?
The road paved towards success is never smooth. If that were the case, we’d be pretty dull and uninteresting women. My struggles along the way have made me become the confident person that I am today.
I’ve learned to be patient, understanding, and mostly forgiving. I have to keep reminding myself & others that if things don’t turn out the way we expect them to be, how we handle it and our attitude moving forward is what makes a difference.
What do you do, what do you specialize in, what are you known for, etc. What are you most proud of? What sets you apart from others?
I am a dental assistant turned Dental Hygienist. I specialize in building patient and team relationships for overall balance and comfort in the dental setting.
My typical workday with patients involves assessing your overall health connection with your oral health. I enjoy getting to know my patients and educating them on ways to improve their habits.
I am most proud of my ability to fit in and deliver comprehensive patient care no matter where or what office I am in. The greatest compliment that reaffirms my passion for dentistry is when patients leave happy & look forward to coming back to see me.
Often it feels as if the media, by and large, is only focused on the obstacles faced by women, but we feel it’s important to also look for the opportunities. In your view, are there opportunities that you see that women are particularly well-positioned for?
There are ALWAYS opportunities for women, regardless of the role. The Only challenge we face is whether or not we are up to take on those opportunities.
With the right mindset, confidence, and support system; anything is possible.
Contact Info:
- Website: bit.ly/BURSTBRUSH
- Email: nancy@burstoralcare.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/smilehavenrdh
- Facebook: Facebook.com/smilehavenrdh
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