Nicole Toureau, from Roseville, a senior dental assisting student at Baker College of Auburn Hills, found the dental profession fascinating, even at a young age. As a young child she always enjoyed going to the dentist, even when most kids hated it.

“I just loved the atmosphere and I found it very interesting,” she recalled. “In 10th grade we took a field trip to the University of Detroit Mercy and I was inspired to work in the dental field ever since.”

Once deciding on her career path, Toureau said she received a lot of support from her family. It’s her husband, Jed, and mother-in-law, Beverly, she says have become her biggest supporters by “putting up with my crazy schedule” and helping care for her two boys. She also credits Kelly Roos, Sandra Kijorski, Dr. John Buchheister and Pamela Zarb as important mentors in her education.

Toureau’s advice to others interested in pursuing dental assisting is to first get a glimpse into the field and observe a dental office in action – basically, making sure that you are going to love what you do. Toureau, of course, thoroughly loves dental assisting, specifically extractions, sinus lifts, implants and type of oral surgery.

“I love restorative work and seeing the before and after,” she said. “I enjoy talking with the patients and helping them feel more comfortable. It is really a rewarding job.”

Toureau said she is thankful for winning a Michigan Dental Association Foundation scholarship and it has helped her cover some of the cost of tuition. After graduation, she hopes to be working as an oral surgeon’s assistant. Her long-range goal is to one day be the head assistant at a successful office and eventually, becoming a dental assisting instructor.

Outside of dentistry, Toureau said she enjoys spending time with her family, cooking, crafts, watching movies, gardening and boating.

Nicole Toureau, from Roseville, a senior dental assisting student at Baker College of Auburn Hills, found the dental profession fascinating, even at a young age. As a young child she always enjoyed going to the dentist, even when most kids hated it.

“I just loved the atmosphere and I found it very interesting,” she recalled. “In 10th grade we took a field trip to the University of Detroit Mercy and I was inspired to work in the dental field ever since.”

Once deciding on her career path, Toureau said she received a lot of support from her family. It’s her husband, Jed, and mother-in-law, Beverly, she says have become her biggest supporters by “putting up with my crazy schedule” and helping care for her two boys. She also credits Kelly Roos, Sandra Kijorski, Dr. John Buchheister and Pamela Zarb as important mentors in her education.

Toureau’s advice to others interested in pursuing dental assisting is to first get a glimpse into the field and observe a dental office in action – basically, making sure that you are going to love what you do. Toureau, of course, thoroughly loves dental assisting, specifically extractions, sinus lifts, implants and type of oral surgery.

“I love restorative work and seeing the before and after,” she said. “I enjoy talking with the patients and helping them feel more comfortable. It is really a rewarding job.”

Toureau said she is thankful for winning a Michigan Dental Association Foundation scholarship and it has helped her cover some of the cost of tuition. After graduation, she hopes to be working as an oral surgeon’s assistant. Her long-range goal is to one day be the head assistant at a successful office and eventually, becoming a dental assisting instructor.

Outside of dentistry, Toureau said she enjoys spending time with her family, cooking, crafts, watching movies, gardening and boating.