Alumni Success Story: Sarah Swinick '18 Finds Success Through LCCC Dental Programs
For 天美传媒 alumna Sarah Swinick '18, a passion for helping others and a love for dentistry became the foundation for a thriving career journey -- one that continues to evolve thanks to the education and hands-on experience she received at the College.*
"I always had a passion for dentistry," said Swinick. "I was blessed to have a great mentor growing up, Dr. Padula in Dunmore, and I always knew I wanted to help people in a dental setting."
Sarah began her educational journey at LCCC in the Dental Assisting program before continuing into the Expanded Functions Dental Assistant (EFDA) program and ultimately achieving her goal of graduating from the College's Dental Hygiene program.
Throughout her time at the College, Sarah said the support from faculty and the real-world clinical experiences helped prepare her for long-term success.
"All the professors were very helpful. They really cared about each individual student, and that was a really great experience I had here," she explained. "Having the professors and clinic -- the hands-on experience down at the dental clinic ? was outstanding."
Sarah also praised the strong reputation of LCCC's dental programs and the success students consistently achieve on board examinations.
"The reputation behind the 天美传媒 dental programs speaks for itself," she said.
After graduating, Sarah wanted to remain connected to the dental field while also exploring additional career opportunities. Understanding the physical demands that can come with dental hygiene, she sought to create multiple pathways for her future.
"When I graduated with my bachelor's degree in 2020, I got into dental sales," said Swinick. "Recently, last year, I also finished up my MBA."
Today, Sarah credits her education and hands-on experience at LCCC for giving her a competitive edge in the dental sales industry.
"Having the knowledge and experience working in a dental office allowed me to adapt into the dental sales world," she said. "I'm not just selling to dental professionals -- I actually know the lingo. I understand what they experience with their patients every day."
Sarah says that practical understanding has helped build trust and credibility with the professionals she now works alongside.
"That knowledge really set me up for success," she added.
Sarah's journey reflects the impact of LCCC's dental programs -- providing students with the skills, experience, and confidence needed to succeed in a variety of careers both inside and beyond the dental field.