Meet Jamie Toney, a dental therapy student at the dəxʷx̌ayəbus-Dental Therapy Program at Skagit Valley College. Jamie's dental experience began in 1995 when she started as a co-op student in high school, handling front desk duties and scheduling patients. Her experiences led to an opportunity as a dental assistant in Detroit. Jamie engaged in various roles, including dental assistant, patient coordinator, biller, and practice administrator. This diverse experience set the foundation for her to manage the startup of four dental offices. Jamie pursued research at the University of Michigan, focusing on health disparities among Detroit residents. Within seven years of intensive studies, she felt inspired to pursue a career in oral health, as many in her community struggle with oral health issues.
Jamie's decision to study dental therapy and move across the country, leaving behind family and life in Detroit, was a leap of faith in believing in the profession. Many in the cohort have left their hometowns to pursue dental therapy and fight the health disparities in their communities. Born and raised in Detroit, she fondly recalls attending sports games around Christmas and spending the holidays with her loved ones. The hardest part about leaving was being away from her two children, ages 2 and 22. Despite the challenges of moving across the country, Jamie embraced this leap of faith in her mid-40s, firmly believing in the impact of dental therapy.