Orrie is currently enrolled at Wake Technical Community College as a dental assisting student. She plans to transition to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill’s Dental Hygiene program at the Adams School of Dentistry in the fall of 2026. She views dental assisting as a stepping stone into the broader dental field, driven by her passion for patient care and oral health. By starting from the ground up, she knows she will deeply appreciate the education and effort required for every role in dentistry.
Starting over as a single mother after ending a ten-year relationship has been a journey filled with both challenges and opportunities. Rebuilding her life, pursuing an education, and creating a better future for herself and her 10-year-old daughter has required immense resilience. As the sole provider for her child, she has faced overwhelming responsibilities, compounded by a lack of financial and educational support. However, this transition has also given her the chance to redefine her future and set ambitious goals.
Her early experiences with limited access to dental care inspired her to enter the dental field. Receiving the care she needed transformed her life, and she now hopes to share that same experience with others. She is determined to secure a stable, fulfilling career to provide for herself and her daughter. By earning her Bachelor’s degree in Dental Hygiene from UNC Chapel Hill, she will open doors to careers in patient education, public health, and teaching.