UEI Dental Assistant Grad Turns Externship into a Full-Time Career

Mursal Haidary had barely begun her externship at Highland Dental Group when she received news she hadn’t expected.

After assisting the clinic’s dentist during a root canal procedure on her first day, Mursal learned that he was impressed enough with her work to offer her a job.

“The doctor told me, ‘I’m going to hire you because I like your work,'” Mursal recalled.

For the mother of three, it was an exciting milestone in a journey that began months earlier when she decided to return to school and pursue a career of her own.

Mursal had spent years focused on raising her children. Although she’d considered working in healthcare before getting married, family responsibilities had taken priority. As her children grew older, she began thinking seriously about her own professional future.

“I wanted to build a career for myself, but I wanted to find a career that would give me stability and allow me to grow professionally,” Mursal said. “Going back to school was a big decision, but I knew I wanted to learn a new skill and prepare for a better future.”

That decision led her to the Dental Assistant program at UEI College in Sacramento.

Today, Mursal is working full time at Highland Dental Group, the same practice where she completed her externship, and is already planning the next steps in her career.

Finding Her Way Into Dental Assisting

Mursal’s interest in healthcare began long before she enrolled at UEI College. But after years of prioritizing her family, she wanted to find an educational program that would help her develop new skills and enter the workforce without spending several years in school.

A friend who worked as a dental assistant introduced her to the possibilities of a career in dentistry.

“One of my friends, she is working as a dental assistant,” Mursal said. “She told me about dental, and after that I chose to be a dental assistant.”

Mursal began researching schools online and eventually discovered UEI College in Sacramento. The 10-month Dental Assistant program appealed to her because it offered a way to prepare for a new career in a relatively short period.

Once classes began, Mursal found that the encouragement and support she received from her instructors made a meaningful difference in her educational experience.

“What I liked most about UEI was the support and help with learning,” she said. “When I didn’t understand something, my instructors helped me.”

She particularly appreciated instructors who took the time to answer questions, explain difficult concepts and reassure her when she felt uncertain about her abilities.

“They encouraged me when I was nervous, or sometimes I had a problem with something,” Mursal said. “They reminded me not to give up. I especially appreciate Ms. PJ. She always helped me.”

Along with classroom instruction, Mursal gained hands-on experience practicing skills used in dental offices, including patient care, infection control, chairside assisting and working as part of a dental team.

Those experiences helped prepare her for the next phase of her education: applying what she’d learned in a professional dental setting.

From Externship to Full-Time Employment

After completing the classroom portion of her Dental Assistant program at the end of February, Mursal began her externship at Highland Dental Group.

Although she’d sometimes felt nervous during her training, she found that the practical experience she’d gained at UEI helped her make the transition from the classroom to the dental office.

“When I started my externship, I didn’t have any problem doing work at the clinic because I learned everything at the college,” she said.

Her preparation was put to the test almost immediately.

On her first day working alongside the dentist who owned the practice, Mursal assisted during a root canal procedure. Her performance made an impression.

By the end of the appointment, the dentist had told her he intended to hire her.

For Mursal, the offer represented more than an opportunity for employment. It was a chance to begin building the professional future she’d envisioned when she first decided to return to school.

Today, she’s working full time at Highland Dental Group and continuing to develop her skills in a professional dental setting.

But Mursal isn’t finished setting goals for herself.

She hopes to build on her experience by earning additional credentials, including pursuing certification as a Registered Dental Assistant.

Her approach to professional growth reflects the same determination that helped her succeed as a student.

“Continue step by step,” she said.

Encouraging Others to Take the First Step

Looking back on her experience, Mursal remembers how much encouragement she needed when she first returned to school.

There were moments when she felt nervous or struggled to understand something new. But with the support of her instructors and a commitment to her goals, she continued moving forward.

Now, having completed her training and secured full-time employment at the practice where she externed, Mursal hopes her experience encourages others who may be hesitant about beginning a new educational journey.

For someone who spent years putting her family’s needs first, returning to school opened the door to a career she can continue building for herself.

Her advice to others considering a similar path is simple.

“My advice is for anyone who wants to start: Choose what you want to do in the future,” Mursal said. “Be positive. Don’t give up.”