Helping Others Smile: UEI Prepares DA Student for a Career in the Clinic

For Savona Wallace, choosing a new career wasn’t just about finding a better job—it was about changing a story that hit close to home.

“My son was my motivation,” Savona said. “His teeth were really bad growing up, and our insurance didn’t cover much. When he got older, he stopped taking care of them, and it really affected his confidence. So, I told him, ‘Let me get into the field so I can help you.’”

That decision set Savona on a path that would eventually lead her to graduate from the Dental Assistant program at UEI College’s Riverside campus and secure a job in family dentistry just weeks after completing her training.

Today, she’s working in the dental field, helping patients regain confidence in their smiles—just like her son.

Making the Right Career Decisions

Before enrolling at UEI, Savona worked a series of jobs that never quite felt like a long-term fit. She spent more than a year working in a Nordstrom warehouse, held retail positions, and previously worked with children in after-school programs.

While she enjoyed working with kids, she knew she wanted something more stable and meaningful. For both personal and practical reasons, dentistry rose to the top of her career choices.

“When my son was little, he didn’t like his teeth, and our insurance really didn’t help much,” Savona said. “When he turned 18, it got worse, and I realized I wanted to be educated so I could help him and others.”

Savona also recognized a natural connection between dentistry and her experience working with children.

“I like kids, and I know that in dentistry, a lot of children are afraid of going to the dentist,” she said. “Since I’m really good with children, it just flowed for me. It all made sense.”

When it came to choosing a school, Savona did her research. She looked online, compared programs, and ultimately visited the UEI Riverside campus in person, which was close to her home.

“When I went on the tour, I liked how they presented themselves,” she said. “The campus felt welcoming, the customer service was great, and everyone treated me with respect.”

And as a Riverside native, familiarity mattered.

“The fact that I was born and raised in Riverside made me feel more at home being in an area I knew,” she said. “Everyone was welcoming from the time I walked in, and it stayed that way all the way through.”

That sense of belonging, along with UEI’s focused, hands-on approach to teaching, confirmed for Savona that she was making the right choice.

Excelling at UEI and in the Clinic

From the start, Savona took her role as a student seriously. She made the honor roll throughout the program, never missed a day of class, earned a spot on the President’s List, and served as a UEI Ambassador.

“My instructors believed in me and trusted me,” she said. “They really took initiative in my education.”

Savona credits both of her instructors—Kathleen Gonzales and Lisa Whitehead—for preparing her not only academically but also professionally.

“They had my back with anything I needed,” she said. “Even now, they still support me. I actually talked to one of my instructors today.”

This support helped Savona build confidence and leadership skills, which didn’t go unnoticed by her classmates. She said other students often turned to her for guidance.

“A lot of people came to me for advice,” she said. “They looked up to me, and that made me realize I could be a leader in this field.”

Savona worked full-time during her externship at a family dentistry practice, completing it in just five weeks. While the transition from classroom to clinical setting came with a learning curve, she felt prepared.

“It’s different being in the classroom versus being on-site,” she said. “There were moments where I had to stop and think, but I caught on quickly.”

During her externship, Savona gained hands-on experience assisting with procedures such as root canals, crown impressions, and direct chairside support for the dentist.

“I’m not one to stand off to the side,” she said. “I wanted to perfect the craft.”

And her preparation showed.

“They told me they couldn’t even tell I was a student,” Savona said. “That came from how my instructors taught me and from shadowing the doctor.”