DH Class of 2028 learns roadmap for financial, career success

Alumnus S. Jerry Long, DDS ’66, PACE Practice Consulting co-chair, outlines key strategies for managing student debt, from budgeting and mindful borrowing to reducing interest costs. Photo by Kyle Rogers.

Alumnus Joe Mike Piazza, DDS ’79, PACE Practice Consulting co-chair, speaks to students about developing professional presence and upholding the standards of the dental hygiene profession. Photo by Kyle Rogers.

The UTHealth Houston School of Dentistry Dental Hygiene Class of 2028 was introduced to strategies for managing student debt and building a strong professional presence during a luncheon hosted by the PACE Center on Aug. 13 as part of Orientation Week.

The presentation, “Student Debt Management and Professional Presence,” was led by PACE Practice Consulting co-chairs and alumni S. Jerry Long, DDS ’66, and Joe Mike Piazza, DDS ’79, both retired dentists. The longtime orientation lecture provided students with practical guidance on financial planning, professional conduct, career preparation, and the responsibilities that come with joining the dental profession.

Long emphasized the importance of making thoughtful financial decisions throughout dental hygiene school, beginning with establishing and following a personal budget. Students were advised to live within their means, draw only what they need from student loans, and understand how interest can increase the overall cost of their education.

The presentation also covered strategies for managing debt after graduation, including avoiding deferment and forbearance when possible, consolidating mature loans when appropriate, exploring opportunities for loan forgiveness through work in underserved areas, and making additional principal payments to reduce interest costs. Long stressed the need to think ahead about how their financial decisions during school could affect their career options after graduation.

The financial guidance was paired with a broader discussion about what it means to enter the dental profession. Long described dental hygienists as ambassadors for both their patients and the clinics or dental offices where they will practice, pointing to the relationships they build and the trust they establish.

Piazza urged students to begin developing their professional mindset from the start of their education. As healthcare professionals, he said, dental hygienists have a responsibility to uphold the standards of the profession and provide patients with knowledgeable, ethical care.

“You have to start now, building your professional conduct and your professional presence of how you’re going to be as a person,” Piazza said.

That professional presence extends beyond the clinic, Piazza said, including how students represent themselves online. He added that potential employers may view their social media accounts and encouraged them to consider how their online persona reflects on their professional reputation.

The luncheon also served as an introduction to the PACE Center and the resources available to students throughout their education and into their careers. Kyle Rogers, marketing and communications manager, provided a brief overview of the center’s four areas of service: Practice Consulting, Alumni Relations, Communications, and Continuing Education. He also highlighted communications resources, university brand standards, media policies, and social media best practices.

Long invited students to take advantage of PACE Practice Consulting as they prepare for their careers, including career guidance, job search resources, and mock interviews. He noted that students will have opportunities to practice interviewing and receive feedback before entering the workforce.

As students begin their dental hygiene education, Long reminded them that professional success is built through the choices they make along the way.

Long shared a lesson attributed to College Football Hall of Fame coach Lou Holtz: “Success in life is nothing more than making good decisions a thousand times every year.”