"I think I chose the right career."

Bridget Ahern, DDS '26, considers her Outreach experience to be one of the most memorable parts of her education.

Ahern spent five weeks at the Family Healthcare Clinic in Moorhead as part of the school's Community Outreach experience. 

An essential part of the School of Dentistry curriculum, Outreach experiences allow DDS, Dental Therapy and Dental Hygiene students to integrate into one of 24 affiliate clinics for collaborative and experiential learning. Students see patients under the supervision of faculty at the clinics and enhance their clinical skills while serving the community. 

Ahern enjoyed the opportunity to be part of a fast-paced environment, seeing four to six patients per day. "I really learned the atmosphere of what a real dental clinic is like," she explained. 

This opportunity helped prepare Ahern, who will graduate this May, for a full-time career in dentistry. 

Hear more from Ahern, who says the experience solidified her career decision, in the video above.