C a r e e r D ay
DENTAL CARE
Dr. Heather Schneider teaches kids and adults about oral health. Dr. Heather Schneider
my start as a dental assistant, which helped me really understand oral care Profession: Dental Director at Delta from every angle. Dental of Arizona What’s your favorite part of your job? It is a tie between connecting with Age: 39 people to inspire them to be proactive What do you do for a living? in their health and helping everyone As dental director for Arizona’s largest gain access to care. We actually make dental benefits provider, I am not only goodie bags and provide them to a dentist, but I advocate for good hospitals and medical centers statewide oral health among all Arizonans. This with free oral health assistance for essentially means that teaching kids and new mothers and their babies, and adults alike how to take care of their we support dental care at places like mouths and teeth is my jam. How many shelters where there is a major need. kids and adults? We have about 1.2 million Arizona residents under our care! What did you want to be when you were growing up? What type of training do you need A chemist! to do your job? What advice would you give to a kid First, you must be a licensed dentist, who wants to have a similar career? which takes about eight to 10 years of It takes some hard work to get here. training after high school. I am both a dentist and have my certificate in public Sometimes it can feel like the finish line will never come. But do not stop. Keep health as well. It also helps if you’ve going and keep pursuing this if it is your taught others about dental education prior. I did this through work as a faculty dream. It is worth it. member at Arizona School of Dentistry One fun fact NOT about your job? & Oral Health. Finally, I actually got I have a twin sister!
Dr. Heather Schneider
As dental director for Delta Dental of Arizona, Dr. Schneider attends events to advocate for oral health. Dr. Heather Schneider with a patient.
10 | AUGUST 2022 | EPIC KIDS
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