NorthPoint rotation is full-circle moment for DDS student

For Sophie Chweya, DDS ’26, stepping into NorthPoint Health and Wellness Center wasn’t just a step toward completing curriculum requirements. It was a full-circle moment that reminded her why she’s here—and how far she’s come.

The first time Chweya visited NorthPoint, she was just six years old. Her family had recently moved to the US from Kenya, and they quickly found a dental home at NorthPoint. “Northpoint was where we got much of our care and it was a place we relied on, especially early on, for essential health care services,” she explained. 

Those early experiences at NorthPoint shaped Chweya’s future—and her view of oral health care. 

“As a child, I had a lot of dental anxiety due to the walk-in visits I had because of pain, which often resulted in fillings or extractions of primary teeth,” she explained. “My experiences at NorthPoint definitely shaped my perspective on dentistry. I didn’t decide to pursue dentistry until much later in life, but those early experiences stuck with me and help me recognize the need that exists in community dentistry.” 

As a dental student, when Chweya learned that NorthPoint was a potential site for her Outreach requirement, she quickly requested to be placed there—a request Angie Hastings, DMD, director of the Division of Community Outreach and Engagement, was happy to fulfill. 

“It felt like a full-circle moment,” Chweya explained. “Having once been a patient there as a child, it was meaningful to return and have the opportunity to serve others in that same community as a provider.” 

It was certainly a different experience for Chweya as a provider in the clinic, but an excellent one nonetheless. 

“The facility has undergone many great renovations, but the environment remains the same,” she explained. “The providers are committed to making an impact, and that was evident in the faculty we worked with.” 

Chweya was inspired to see how the clinic acts as a safety net for the community. “I really enjoyed working with the patient population and appreciated the resources available to support individuals who may not otherwise have access to care,” she reflected. “My time at NorthPoint added to my understanding of the need for accessible care and deepened my commitment to continuing to work in community dentistry and serving underserved populations in my future career.”

Having been on both sides of the operatory at NorthPoint, the space will forever hold a special place in Chweya’s heart.

“NorthPoint is more than just a clinic,” she said. “It’s a vital community resource.”