Mighty Ninety dental hygienist chases dream of helping others

Photo By Senior Airman Sarah Post | Jessica Allred, dental hygienist with the 90 Operational Medical Readiness Squadron, provides dental care to Capt. Robert Butler, member of the 90th Operations Group, March 3, 2022 in the dental clinic on F.E Warren Air Force Base, Wyoming. As a dental hygienist, Allred is able to help patients with their oral hygiene and make a difference in their lives. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Airman Sarah Post)  

F.E. WARREN AFB, WY, UNITED STATES

03.07.2022

Story by Airman Sarah Post 

90th Missile Wing

F.E. WARREN AIR FORCE BASE, Wyo. –

What did you dream about growing up to become as a child? Maybe you dreamed of becoming a firefighter, or an Airman, or a doctor. Jessica Allred dreamed of becoming an orthodontist when she was a young girl.

As years pass, dreams shift and change into new dreams and eventually into reality. Today, Allred, oral care provider in the 90 Operational Medical Readiness Squadron, is following her dreams by working as a dental hygienist.

“I dreamed of becoming an orthodontist, because I saw the confidence in people after they had their braces removed,” said Allred. “I wanted to help make that difference for people. I decided to become a dental hygienist because it allowed more flexibility in my life.”

Allred has been living her dream as a dental hygienist for 13 years, and for two of those years she has worked in the 90 OMRS dental clinic.

As a dental hygienist, Allred supports the dentists and off base specialists in a variety of procedures and patient care. She provides preventive, educational and therapeutic dental services daily and she also advises patients on the best pathway for their oral health.

“This job on base has been the most challenging job I have done,” said Allred. “Some people never received dental care until they joined the military and I love coming up with treatment plans that will suit them, as well as plans for every other patient.”

Today, women still have to work to break biases and push down barriers that stand in their way. Anyone can follow their dreams until they become a reality; all it requires is some hard work and perseverance.

“GO FOR IT GIRL,” exclaimed Allred, to motivate younger girls to chase their dreams as well. “Each setback is just another stepping stone on the way to achieving your goals and dreams.”

• Date Taken: 03.07.2022
• Date Posted: 03.09.2022 10:56
• Story ID: 415961
• Location: F.E. WARREN AFB, WY, US