ADVERTISEMENT NTC Alumna Ashley LaCrosse Enjoys Success in Bemidji's Dental Scene | Ferid Ave VTRY DENTAL NORTH COUNTRY DENTAL John Lerh PAS A Tery Sda Ashley LaCrosse Northwest Technical College sphere of Bemidji most and it alumna Ashley LaCrosse '19 took an interest in the dental industry at a young age after a visit to the orthodontist. Fueled by her passion for dentistry and tics - the form of dentistry that longing to be near her north woods hometown LaCrosse Taking advantage of NTC's unique relationship with Bem- idji State University's Depart- ment of Housing and Residen- tial Life, LaCrosse was able to live in student housing only a few miles away. There, she was focuses on bite correction - and able to immerse herself in the university's student life. felt more like home," she said. During her time at North- west Tech, LaCrosse became interested in both orthodon- made the life-changing decision general dentistry. To deter- mine which field she liked the most, LaCrosse went above Growing up, LaCrosse, of Red and beyond what is expected of dental students at NTC and "It was the best decision ever and my life wouldn't be the same without it," LaCrosse said. "I loved how everything was so to attend NTC. Lake Falls, Minnesota, wanted to be a teacher but changed her completed two internships, one close and convenient. You could mind after getting braces in ninth grade. in each field. In addition to NTC's dental program's experiential cur- riculum, LaCrosse said the college's annual Give Kids a Smile Day, an event where community members can bring year. Lifelong friends were their children in for free dental never be bored because there was always someone to hang with, talk to or go eat a meal with. I'm still friends and hang out with many of the people that I met during my freshman "I was enthralled with the whole process and I loved watching the dentist and the assistant," LaCrosse said. After that, LaCrosse started definitely made. researching dental careers and even reached out to a dental assistant for more information. exams, allowed her to work on children of all ages and Currently, LaCrosse works as a certified and licensed dental focus on patients outside of the assistant at North Country Den- tal in Bemidji where she hopes to keep moving forward in her career and focus on learning how to work with geriatric and disabled patients' needs. When she discovered North- west Tech, LaCrosse was in the middle of her college search and comparing many dental programs across the region. In the end, with its proximity to her hometown and all it had to offer in terms of the great out- doors, Northwest Tech emerged what led me to this career, but as the victor. classroom. "After experiencing both types of work, I decided that general dentistry was more of my calling." LaCrosse said. "I was very surprised by this because orthodontics was I know now after working in general dentistry for almost two years that I made the right choice." "Everything that I learned and did during my time at NTC has helped me with my career," she said. "Now, I want to keep up with the times and new technology, and be the best source of information for my patients as I can be." "After thinking it over and taking a long look at schools I decided that I liked the atmo- ADVERTISEMENT NTC Alumna Ashley LaCrosse Enjoys Success in Bemidji's Dental Scene | Ferid Ave VTRY DENTAL NORTH COUNTRY DENTAL John Lerh PAS A Tery Sda Ashley LaCrosse Northwest Technical College sphere of Bemidji most and it alumna Ashley LaCrosse '19 took an interest in the dental industry at a young age after a visit to the orthodontist. Fueled by her passion for dentistry and tics - the form of dentistry that longing to be near her north woods hometown LaCrosse Taking advantage of NTC's unique relationship with Bem- idji State University's Depart- ment of Housing and Residen- tial Life, LaCrosse was able to live in student housing only a few miles away. There, she was focuses on bite correction - and able to immerse herself in the university's student life. felt more like home," she said. During her time at North- west Tech, LaCrosse became interested in both orthodon- made the life-changing decision general dentistry. To deter- mine which field she liked the most, LaCrosse went above Growing up, LaCrosse, of Red and beyond what is expected of dental students at NTC and "It was the best decision ever and my life wouldn't be the same without it," LaCrosse said. "I loved how everything was so to attend NTC. Lake Falls, Minnesota, wanted to be a teacher but changed her completed two internships, one close and convenient. You could mind after getting braces in ninth grade. in each field. In addition to NTC's dental program's experiential cur- riculum, LaCrosse said the college's annual Give Kids a Smile Day, an event where community members can bring year. Lifelong friends were their children in for free dental never be bored because there was always someone to hang with, talk to or go eat a meal with. I'm still friends and hang out with many of the people that I met during my freshman "I was enthralled with the whole process and I loved watching the dentist and the assistant," LaCrosse said. After that, LaCrosse started definitely made. researching dental careers and even reached out to a dental assistant for more information. exams, allowed her to work on children of all ages and Currently, LaCrosse works as a certified and licensed dental focus on patients outside of the assistant at North Country Den- tal in Bemidji where she hopes to keep moving forward in her career and focus on learning how to work with geriatric and disabled patients' needs. When she discovered North- west Tech, LaCrosse was in the middle of her college search and comparing many dental programs across the region. In the end, with its proximity to her hometown and all it had to offer in terms of the great out- doors, Northwest Tech emerged what led me to this career, but as the victor. classroom. "After experiencing both types of work, I decided that general dentistry was more of my calling." LaCrosse said. "I was very surprised by this because orthodontics was I know now after working in general dentistry for almost two years that I made the right choice." "Everything that I learned and did during my time at NTC has helped me with my career," she said. "Now, I want to keep up with the times and new technology, and be the best source of information for my patients as I can be." "After thinking it over and taking a long look at schools I decided that I liked the atmo-