August, 2007
by Eileen Mattai

Before he attended dental school, Marco Ruiz found it nearly impossible to get even a volunteer position in a dental office. “A paying job was out of the question,” says Dr. Ruiz of Valley Family Dentistry in Harlingen, who as a student wanted the experience of working around dentists

Today Dr. Ruiz welcomes Tech Prep First Generation interns like Desideria Myers to part-time, paying jobs in his dental practice. “Both parties -the student and the dentist- benefit, and get some good from it,” he said.

Dee Martinez, administrator for the dental office, said Desideria started off her internship observing the dentist doing procedures and helping to sterilize dental instruments. Now the Keys Academy student works in front and in back of the office archiving, making appointments, and helping enter information into records.

“She’s a fast learner,” Martinez said. “It’s working out well.”