Dental Student Profile

Hunt School of Dental Medicine Student Profile: Paulette Ramirez

"Growing up, I was constantly dealing with dental treatments and surgeries for a condition I was born with. I saw first-hand what makes a great dentist. I hope someday when I'm a dentist, someone will say the same thing about me."    

Tell us a little about your background. Where did you grow up? Where did you go to school?

I grew up in Ciudad Juárez, Mexico, and through my teenage years attended middle school there. I started high school at the Lydia Patterson Institute, crossing the Santa Fe bridge every day. In my junior year, I was moved to another school and graduated from Burges High School. After high school, I went on to graduate from the University of Texas at El Paso.

Who or what moment inspired you to go into dentistry?

As a child, I underwent extensive dental treatments. My parents didn’t know English at the time, and we were constantly meeting with doctors. Sometimes it was a lot of stress for them. When referred to a dentist, I remember I started seeing Sylvia Menendez, D.D.S., and Martha Mejia-Maidl, D.D.S. Both were so nice to me, spoke Spanish and made my mom feel very comfortable as they explained everything with so much patience. 

A few years later, I began seeing an amazing oral surgeon. Vernon Burke, D.M.D., M.D., has been one of the best doctors I’ve ever met. His humor and dedication to his patients are exceptional. 

By watching these dentists work together and seeing the comfort they could provide, I fell in love with dentistry. Every appointment I had was a learning experience and an inspirational moment for me. After college graduation, I approached Dr. Burke and asked for advice on pursuing dentistry. His mind is full of strategies, so he offered me a position in his office to find out if dentistry was the best option. He’s been helping me prepare for dental school ever since. 

How does it feel to be part of the inaugural class at the Hunt School of Dental Medicine?

It feels surreal to be a part of the first class. I remember hearing about a dental school opening in El Paso, and I told myself that by the time I graduated college, it would be open, and I would apply. That time went by, and I was finally able to apply. Now I'm part of the inaugural class, and I can stay in the region doing what I'm passionate about with family nearby.

What kind of impact do you hope to have on the community as a dental student at the Hunt School of Dental Medicine? And after?

I’ll start with my family, creating an awareness that dental care and good oral hygiene are critical and that seeing a dentist regularly needs to be a yearly occurrence. Then, I would love to be proactive and educate underserved communities about the importance of dental health as we do screenings. We can create a big impact on the oral health of the El Paso community.

Then after graduating from Hunt School of Dental Medicine, I would like to be involved with a craniofacial team and help to restore the smile of patients. My treatments were long, but rewarding at the end. I’m looking forward to giving back to new patients with special treatments and hopefully having the same impact as my own doctors had on me. 

What are your interests and hobbies?

I love dancing and baking. I like outdoor activities whenever the weather allows it, and I’m looking forward to the gym when I have a little more time. I love being with family and friends, talking and joking around with them. Laughing out loud makes life a better place.

What is something about you people might not know?

I've been in the patient's chair, the assistant's shoes, and soon, I'll be in the dentist's role.

What do you like most about El Paso, or do you find unique about the region? 

I love that El Paso has become a sister city to Ciudad Juárez and that many holidays and traditions are shared. There exists a huge connection plus a good relationship between people from El Paso and Ciudad Juárez. It feels incredible to be bicultural.