Jamila Alicea is a dental hygienist for Dr. Sam Ciccarelli, whose office is located on Belmont Avenue in Chicago. She said she likes cleaning people’s teeth and helping them have great smiles.
Q: Where did you grow up and go to school?
A: I grew up in Chicago. I went to CICS Northtown Academy for high school. I went to Northern Illinois University, and I finished at University of Illinois at Chicago.
Q: When did you know you wanted to be a dental hygienist?
A: I knew my junior year of college. I needed a part-time job. A dental office by my house needed a dental assistant. The doctor there showed me a lot about the field, and I loved it.
Q: What kind of credentials did you obtain to be a dental hygienist?
A: Today, people need a bachelor’s degree. Then, to become a hygienist, it’s a two-year course.
Q: How long have you worked for Dr. Ciccarelli?
A: I have worked for Dr. Ciccarelli for over five years.
Q: What are your responsibilities?
A: I do a little bit of everything. I mostly see the patients for cleanings.
Q: What’s something that most people don’t know about being a hygienist?
A: I don’t think that they know we have to do continuing education like doctors. We have a license that we need to keep up. It’s also very physically demanding. It’s repetitive work. Some people get carpal tunnel.
Q: What advice would you give somebody who wants to be a dental hygienist?
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A: I would tell them that they have to like it and know they like it. The two-year program is very hard. For me, it was harder than college. I really liked it, and I wanted to complete the program.
Q: What do you like to do for fun?
A: I like watching Netflix series with my husband. I like going out to eat.
Maryann Pisano is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.