Ella Bailey, Class of ’25: BioHealth sciences major trains to be a dentist

Connecting with people and practices

Bailey loves challenging the status quo and looks up to her family as her strongest role models. Her grandmother Lisa was one of the first female forest firefighters in Alaska before becoming a middle school English teacher. Bailey’s mother served as a firefighter too.

Bailey was the first to break the generational firefighting chain, making her mark as a woman in science. As a child, she always felt comfortable at the dentist. After seeing how oral health was often overlooked and not accessible to everyone, she wanted to make a difference.

To be successful, Bailey needed a strong support system — and she found that at Oregon State. One of the first people she met became her roommate for three years and invited her to fun Thanksgiving dinners. Her roommate knew exactly what she wanted to do for a career and made it happen as a middle school English teacher, inspiring Bailey to not be afraid to reach for her goals, even if they’re difficult.

While taking each stepping stone towards her science degree, Oregon State quickly became Bailey’s second home. Amid the rush of the academic year, one of her professors stood out. Her favorite course is Advanced Human Anatomy and Physiology taught by Integrative Biology Professor Devon Quick.

“I think she's one of the best professors that I've ever had,” she said. “She's very reasonable, open to questions, accommodating and approachable as a professor. She makes you want to attend class, be there, and learn.”

Outside of school, one of Bailey’s favorite outcomes in dentistry is making someone’s day a better one. Once a week, she shadows Dr. Martin Lindner and Dr. Charles Eric Jones at the Timberhill Dental office in Corvallis. One day, an older patient checked in to her appointment and the dentist asked if a student could observe.

“When I came in, she loved me,” Bailey said. “The patient said, “Oh my gosh, I love seeing women in science!” And she was so sweet. She told me that when she was my age, women were not allowed in science.”

If she’s not looking at teeth, Bailey is working in the Lonnie B. Harris Black Cultural Center and participating in an academic club for women called the Society of Scholarly Systems, where they host a variety of volunteer service projects. By collecting supplies and handing them out to the homeless population in Eugene, she found a way to make a difference outside of work and school.

“Everyone's path looks different. Do not judge your path compared to people around you."

Wanting to continue building her professional skills in Alaska, Bailey loves to visit her family and work at the same time. As an assistant at an orthodontist office, she started as a sterilization tech, making sure all of the spaces were clean.

Before long, she began assisting with orthodontic appointments, such as removing braces, holding suction tubes, taking impressions for retainers, and taking photos and x-rays of patient's’ teeth.

“The reason I even got the opportunity to work in orthodontics and became really interested in the dental field is because of the family who owns the office,” she said. Dr. Wentz and his wife Natalie Wentz became important mentors for Bailey. “Because I worked at that office, I was introduced to a number of orthodontists who have all been amazing to work with and learn from.”

Making people smile

Every time she returns to Oregon, Bailey wants to try something new. Inside an RV converted into a mobile dental clinic, she is one of several volunteers that offer free dental services. Anyone can sign up for a slot, and Spanish-to-English translators are available if needed. “It’s very eye-opening because they are really appreciative of us doing extractions or just kind of putting a Band-Aid on where we can,” she said.

Managing oral health can be expensive. Not everyone has a toothbrush or knows how to take care of their teeth, making hygiene difficult for some. People with diabetes are more prone to cavities, and poor oral hygiene can increase blood pressure.

“The first time I volunteered, I was assisting by holding the suction tube and handing instruments,” Bailey said. “This one patient had something that really bothered her and the dentist fixed and extracted her tooth. She turned to me and held my hand, and said, “Thank you so much.””

Throughout her adventures at Oregon State, professional mentors and heartwarming friends always offered a helping hand when she needed it most. When trying to find the right path for her, she found the support, both inside and outside the classroom.

“Everyone's path looks different. Do not judge your path compared to people around you. It’s easy to do that in college, especially in your twenties. Take pride in where you're at and what you're doing,” she said. “You deserve to be here.”