ADVERTISEMENT 'On the Right Path': Dental Assisting Scholarship Boosts Santillan Dentistry runs in the family for Gabriella Santillan, a sophomore dental assisting student originally from Harlingen, Texas. Santillan's uncle is a dentist, so it's a familiar career field in her household. Santillan found Northwest Technical College while looking for dental assisting programs in northern Minnesota. "I was able to get a rundown of the program from admissions representative, Patty Hartshorn, tour the facilities and talk to instructors. NTC is a feel-good environment," Santillan said. Santillan took a few courses to see how she liked the program before jumping in with both feet. She decided to continue after having positive experiences in the classroom and with her instructors. NTC dental assisting faculty helped Santillan secure an internship with a dental office in Warroad, where she watched procedures and sterilized dental instruments. "I was able to get a feel for the occupation while saving (h Gabriella Santillan for school," Santillan said. "The dental assisting "Unfortunately, I got COVID- program is a good opportunity 19 over the summer and to meet different people. was unable to work for an Connecting with people extended period of time, so my who have the same goals savings were diminishing." as you sets you on the right path, makes you feel good about what you're doing and gives you people to lean on, whether it's peers or professors," Santillan said. The Delta Dental of Minnesota Foundation created the Delta Dental Equity and Education Scholarship program at NTC in 2022, which supports black, Indigenous and students of color enrolled in the college's dental assisting program. Santillan applied and received one of the scholarships, which can be used for tuition and other expenses like housing, travel costs and education materials. "Receiving a scholarship that not only pays for classes but room and ard on campus is comforting and helps me pursue my degree," Santillan said. "I had been driving two-and-a-half hours one way to attend classes, so this scholarship is very beneficial." Santillan is grateful for the NTC dental assisting program and the financial support the Delta Dental Equity and Education Scholarship provides. About NTC's Dental Assisting Program Dental assisting students gain technical knowledge and manual skills necessary to enter the dental profession as a chair- side clinician, assisting with a variety of clinical functions, laboratory tasks and business office responsibilities. Labs, internships and service learning activities offer students real-life experiences and interactions with patients and dental care professionals. ADVERTISEMENT ' On the Right Path ' : Dental Assisting Scholarship Boosts Santillan Dentistry runs in the family for Gabriella Santillan , a sophomore dental assisting student originally from Harlingen , Texas . Santillan's uncle is a dentist , so it's a familiar career field in her household . Santillan found Northwest Technical College while looking for dental assisting programs in northern Minnesota . " I was able to get a rundown of the program from admissions representative , Patty Hartshorn , tour the facilities and talk to instructors . NTC is a feel - good environment , " Santillan said . Santillan took a few courses to see how she liked the program before jumping in with both feet . She decided to continue after having positive experiences in the classroom and with her instructors . NTC dental assisting faculty helped Santillan secure an internship with a dental office in Warroad , where she watched procedures and sterilized dental instruments . " I was able to get a feel for the occupation while saving ( h Gabriella Santillan for school , " Santillan said . " The dental assisting " Unfortunately , I got COVID- program is a good opportunity 19 over the summer and to meet different people . was unable to work for an Connecting with people extended period of time , so my who have the same goals savings were diminishing . " as you sets you on the right path , makes you feel good about what you're doing and gives you people to lean on , whether it's peers or professors , " Santillan said . The Delta Dental of Minnesota Foundation created the Delta Dental Equity and Education Scholarship program at NTC in 2022 , which supports black , Indigenous and students of color enrolled in the college's dental assisting program . Santillan applied and received one of the scholarships , which can be used for tuition and other expenses like housing , travel costs and education materials . " Receiving a scholarship that not only pays for classes but room and ard on campus is comforting and helps me pursue my degree , " Santillan said . " I had been driving two - and - a - half hours one way to attend classes , so this scholarship is very beneficial . " Santillan is grateful for the NTC dental assisting program and the financial support the Delta Dental Equity and Education Scholarship provides . About NTC's Dental Assisting Program Dental assisting students gain technical knowledge and manual skills necessary to enter the dental profession as a chair side clinician , assisting with a variety of clinical functions , laboratory tasks and business office responsibilities . Labs , internships and service learning activities offer students real - life experiences and interactions with patients and dental care professionals .