I thought I'd get the discussion started by posting my wife Melissa's story.

After graduating as valedictorian of her high school, Melissa studied pre-dentistry and dentistry at Centro Escolar University (CEU) under a university scholarship. Throughout her college years, Melissa performed dental procedures on underpriveleged adults and children for Operation Smile. Operation Smile was a Centro Scholar University program where dental students work under the supervision of CEU dental professors. In order to fulfill CEU clinical requirements, Melissa also arranged to treat a number of patients with varying dental problems at CEU.

She graduated in 1994. After graduation, Melissa worked as a dental assistant for a dentist in her town of Plaridel, Bulacan, Philippines.  During this time, Melissa prepared for and passed the Philippine Board Exam in 1995. Upon passing the boards, Melissa became the main dentist in one of her employer's two clinics. Later that year, Melissa opened her own dental clinic in Plaridel.

Melissa became an active member of the Bulacan Dental Association. She participated in monthly meetings and free clinics for the underpriveleged in need of dental care. Melissa ran her practice for three years treating hundreds of patients. She left her practice and a lucrative contract with Meralco, the local electric company, to marry in 1998 and move to Philadelphia.

In Philadelphia, Melissa joined the American Student Dental Association to keep up to date with the latest techniques. She studied for the National Board Exam Part I  using Dental Decks while working for a start-up pediatric dental practice as a dental assistant/office manager. During this time, Melissa passed her radiology exam and enjoyed her work at the newly opened practice. Melissa assisted with several hundred patients including some special cases that required dedicated hospital facilities and anesthesiologists.

In 1999, Melissa gave up her dental assisting job and pursuit of the ADA licensure track to start a family. Today. Melissa participates as an advocate for foreign trained dentists working with her husband to come up with ideas to make the process easier for others.