Amna Ahmed’s desire to work closely with people and make a meaningful impact in healthcare is what led her to NC and ultimately to a career in dental hygiene. After first completing NC’s Dental Assisting program, she returned to pursue the Dental Hygiene Advanced Diploma program, building on the foundation that first introduced her to the dental world.
From long clinic days and comprehensive evaluations to community outreach initiatives and leadership opportunities, she developed not only strong clinical skills but also a passion for patient education, oral health advocacy, and building meaningful connections with clients.
Now working as a Registered Dental Hygienist in London, where she was born and raised, after successfully passing her board exam on her first attempt, Amna is continuing her educational journey. This fall, she will begin a Bachelor of Science program specializing in Dental Hygiene while continuing to grow professionally in the field she loves.
During her time at NC, Amna was also recognized with the Hu-Friedy Golden Scaler Award, a prestigious honour presented annually to one graduating student who demonstrates outstanding clinical skill, professionalism, attention to detail, and excellence in client care throughout the program.
“It was a very proud moment for me and my family,” she said.
Selection for the award is based on ongoing evaluations by faculty and clinical supervisors and recognizes students who consistently demonstrate a high level of competency in both clinical performance and patient care.
“My experience at Niagara College has been truly meaningful and has played a major role in shaping both my personal and professional growth,” said Ahmed. “I am very grateful for the support I received from faculty, classmates, and the wider program community throughout my time there.
As she prepares to celebrate convocation on June 8 alongside her family and friends, Amna reflects on a journey marked by perseverance, personal growth, and the support of the people who helped her reach this milestone.
Q&A with Amna Ahmed
How do you feel about your upcoming convocation day, and what does it personally mean to you?
Convocation feels incredibly meaningful to me because it represents years of hard work, personal growth, and perseverance. Dental hygiene school pushed me in so many ways academically, professionally, and personally.
There were long clinic days, stressful exams, late nights studying, and moments where balancing everything felt overwhelming, but those experiences shaped me into a stronger and more confident person. This milestone means even more because of the journey behind it and the people who supported me along the way.
Looking back at where I started compared to where I am now, I feel proud not only of graduating, but of the growth that happened throughout the entire experience.
Do you have any guests in the audience who will be cheering you on?
I’ll be celebrating this milestone with my mom, family, and closest friends, who have all supported me throughout this journey. My mom especially has always been there for me through every challenge and achievement, and I truly would not be where I am today without her support.
It means so much to have the people closest to me there to celebrate this moment, and I’m also grateful that my family back home will be watching the livestream and sharing this special day with me.
What were you doing before attending Niagara College?
Before attending Niagara College, I had just graduated high school and was exploring my career options within healthcare. I knew I wanted a path where I could work closely with people and make a meaningful impact.
I enrolled at Niagara College shortly after high school and began in the Dental Assisting program, which is what first introduced me to the dental field.
What led you to study at Niagara College and your program of study?
What first led me to Niagara College was my interest in healthcare and wanting a career where I could work closely with people and make a real difference. I originally enrolled in the Dental Assisting program, and I genuinely enjoyed my experience there.
It was my first real introduction to the dental field, and I really appreciated the hands-on learning, the supportive environment, and the relationships I started building during that time.
Coming back to Niagara College for Dental Hygiene felt like a natural next step for me. My experience in Dental Assisting confirmed that I wanted to stay in the dental field and continue growing. I enjoyed the environment, the people I met, and the foundation I had already started, which is what led me to return and further my education in Dental Hygiene.
What interests you in, or why are you passionate about, your field of study?
What I love most about dental hygiene is the balance between clinical care and meaningful client connection. It’s not just about treatment, but also about education, prevention, and helping people feel more confident in their oral health.
Over time, I’ve become especially passionate about the patient interaction side of the profession. I really value being able to build trust with clients, help ease anxiety, and make dental visits a more positive experience for them.
I’m also very interested in oral health education and the role dental hygienists play in overall health. Through my experiences at Niagara College, I’ve developed a stronger appreciation for community outreach and helping improve access to care and knowledge, especially for clients who may not have had the best dental experiences before.
How did you find your program experience? Any highlights?
My program experience was definitely challenging, but also one of the most rewarding and important periods of my life. There was a lot to balance between clinic, coursework, exams, and personal life, but it pushed me to grow in ways I didn’t expect.
One of the biggest highlights for me was the clinic, especially being able to finally apply what we were learning in a real client setting. I really enjoyed building relationships with patients over time and seeing the impact of client education and care in real-life situations.
Another highlight was the people I met throughout the program. I built strong friendships with classmates that became such an important support system, especially during stressful times. I’m also very grateful for the faculty, who were incredibly supportive, knowledgeable, and truly invested in our success. Their guidance made a big difference in my experience and growth.
What did you find rewarding about your program and area of study? Does something stand out that you will never forget about your time at NC?
One of the most rewarding parts of the program was seeing the real impact of patient care and education. Being able to help someone feel more confident about their oral health, or watching their progress over time, made everything we were learning feel really meaningful.
What stands out most when I think back on my time at Niagara College is the relationships I built and how much I grew throughout the program. The friendships with classmates, the support from faculty, and even the really challenging moments all played a big role in shaping me.
I don’t think I’ll ever forget the comprehensive evaluations in the first two terms. They were stressful at the time, but they really pushed us and set the tone for the rest of the program. Along with clinic days and exams, those experiences are what made everything eventually start to come together.
It was a very intense journey, but one I look back on with a lot of gratitude.
Did you complete a placement as part of your program?
The program included extensive clinical placements that were a key part of our learning. Through these experiences, I had the opportunity to provide direct client care in a supervised clinical setting, allowing me to apply what I learned in the classroom to real-life situations.
These placements were very valuable in helping me build my clinical skills, confidence, and professional communication. They also taught me how to adapt to different clients and situations, and how to provide patient-tailored care to each client’s needs while working in a fast-paced clinical environment.
Were you involved in any clubs, teams, or extracurricular activities during your time at NC?
During my time at Niagara College, I was actively involved in community outreach and oral health promotion initiatives within the dental hygiene program.
One of the main events I helped organize was a bowling fundraiser, which brought students together in a fun and competitive setting while supporting a meaningful cause.
I also participated in activities for National Dental Hygienists Week, where we helped promote awareness about oral health and the important role dental hygienists play in prevention and overall health.
In addition, I served as a class representative, which gave me the opportunity to act as a voice for my peers. In this role, I helped communicate feedback, raise student concerns, and work collaboratively with faculty to support a positive and productive learning environment.
Overall, these experiences were very meaningful to me because they allowed me to be involved beyond the clinical setting and strengthened my interest in leadership, teamwork, and oral health advocacy in a practical and impactful way.
Do you feel your NC experience has helped prepare you for the future?
Absolutely. My experience at Niagara College has played a major role in preparing me for my future as a dental hygienist. Beyond developing my clinical skills, it helped me build confidence, professionalism, and strong communication skills that are essential in practice.
The program really taught me how to manage time effectively, stay organized under pressure, and adapt to different clinical situations while maintaining a client-centered approach. I also learned the importance of teamwork and collaboration, both with peers and faculty, which closely reflects real working environments.
What have you been doing since completing your studies at NC?
Since completing my studies at Niagara College, I successfully wrote and passed my board exam on my first attempt in September and became registered by November.
While waiting for my results, I had already secured a position and began working shortly after becoming registered with the CDHO. I have been working as a Registered Dental Hygienist in London, Ontario, and have really been enjoying my experience so far.
It has been rewarding to finally apply the skills I developed during my studies in a real clinical setting and continue growing in the profession.
More recently, I took some time to visit my family in Dubai and Egypt, as I had not seen them in quite a while, which was very meaningful for me. I have since returned to work and am continuing to build my experience as a dental hygienist.
What’s next for you?
Looking ahead, I’m excited to continue growing within the dental hygiene profession and further develop my clinical skills and experience in practice.
I’ve also been accepted into a Bachelor of Science program specializing in Dental Hygiene, which I will be starting this fall. I’m really looking forward to continuing my education, expanding my knowledge, and building on the foundation I gained at Niagara College.
My long-term goal is to keep growing both clinically and professionally, while staying involved in areas like client education and preventive care, which I’m very passionate about.
