“Growing up, I always wanted to be a dentist, but I didn’t want to go all in at first, so I started with dental assisting.”
– Julie Bruce, DH36, Class of 2025
From a childhood dream of becoming a dentist to achieving the prestigious Canadian Dental Hygiene Award, Julie Bruce’s journey has been nothing short of inspiring. The road to success in the world of dental hygiene is not always a straight line, but Julie’s passion for patient care and her commitment to excellence have made her a standout in the field.
We are beyond excited to celebrate Julie’s well-deserved recognition as this year’s recipient of the Canadian Dental Hygiene Award! Presented to a graduating student who exemplifies outstanding leadership, scholarship, professionalism, and humanity, this award highlights the very best of what it means to be a dental hygienist. Julie’s exceptional qualities made her an ideal candidate for this honor.
Julie’s story began with a curiosity about the dental profession that led her to dental assisting. She recalls, “I always wanted to be a dentist, but I didn’t want to go all in at first, so I started with dental assisting.” That initial step not only solidified her passion for dentistry, but also revealed her desire for a more independent role in patient care, eventually guiding her to pursue dental hygiene.
At CNIH, Julie found herself thriving in an environment rich with opportunity, forming lasting bonds with classmates from across Canada and forging meaningful relationships with the dedicated faculty. “I actually enjoyed my experience at CNIH because of the amazing faculty, location, and the amount of draw it has within our country. With CNIH being a private institution, it allows you to become close with the faculty and build relationships with them.”
Though the path wasn’t without challenges, Julie’s determination and clear goal kept her focused. When she received the news of her award, she was overwhelmed with gratitude: “I was very surprised and thankful to win an award, but I didn’t expect anything as I knew I did my best throughout the program. Graduating and moving on with my pending RDH diploma was fulfilling enough, let alone winning an award!”
Looking ahead, Julie is preparing for her board exam in May, with a little help from her family and a lobster fishing trip with her father to help her unwind. Once certified, she’s set to begin her career as a Registered Dental Hygienist in a general dental office, already securing a full-time position within her province.
Julie’s success is a shining example of the dedication, hard work, and passion that are at the heart of every CNIH graduate. Congratulations, Julie, on this monumental achievement! We can’t wait to see all the amazing things you’ll accomplish in the dental hygiene world.