Jenna Colagiovanni, B.S.D.H.
“My journey through WVU dental hygiene has shown me my purpose. With the multiple rotations the program offers, I shortly realized pediatrics was for me.”
Hometown
Monongahela, PA
What made you want to earn your dental hygiene degree?
As a child I was always scared of the dentist. I remember my hygienist always being so kind and caring. She left an impact on my life and it made me want to be like her. As I got older my fear went away and I started becoming more interested in hygiene and the aspects of dental. Starting clinical, I learned that one of the best satisfactions is helping people and making them a priority. And not to mention, nothing beats the dazzling smile on their face at the end of their appointment. Throughout the dental hygiene program, I have become so close with multiple of my patients and loved every single one of my appointments.
Why did you chose to do it at WVU?
From the beautiful scenery to the astonishing and lively college atmosphere, WVU offers an outstanding hygiene program that is incomparable. Once I came to visit, I knew WVU was for me. This place feeling like home is an understatement, it is home.
Has your journey through dental school help define your purpose?
Through dental school and my life, I was a bit indecisive in my career. My journey through WVU dental hygiene has shown me my purpose. With the multiple rotations the program offers, I shortly realized pediatrics was for me. Showing the kids that the dentist isn’t scary, but fun is one of the best parts. Educating, inspiring, and making the visit enjoyable for the kids is my favorite thing about dental hygiene.
Explain a dental school experience you will never forget.
A dental school experience I will never forget is the first time we practiced instrumentation. We were paired up with another student our sophomore year and we had all barley met each other. I was nervous and even a little awkward with the girl I was paired up with. We would spend two hours each practicing on each other and then we decided we had to meet up after school to practice some more. We spent so much time together studying that we ended up becoming very close. This girl is now one of my best friends and we have shared countless memories together inside and outside of school. This program has brought me lifelong friendships that will last a lifetime.
What are you excited for next?
I am excited for my friends' futures and my future as well. The best thing in life is seeing the ones you are closest to succeed. WVU dental hygiene taught me so many skills that are going to put me in good standings and be very useful. I can’t wait to use these skills in the outside world and look back on all these memories I have made in dental hygiene school that I will forever cherish.
