From Sacrifice to Smiles

Becoming a single mother at age 16 wasn’t part of the plan for Northampton Community College dental hygiene student, Ashleigh Jackson. “It was really hard — and it still is — trying to balance family and school and make sure you can divide yourself equally and efficiently in every place without falling short,” she says.  

Jackson says her family was great about helping her. She also leaned on daycare and Liberty High School’s co-op program, where she took classes during half the day and worked the other half. After graduating high school, Jackson visited NCC but decided to sacrifice further education. 

_{Jackson and son}

“I just felt it was important to provide for my child and myself,” she explains. “I decided the best way to do that was working full time immediately. I knew going to college would require more of my time.” 

Jackson had always loved going to the dentist, so, it was no surprise when she got a job as a dental assistant. Then in 2020, she got married, with her husband’s two teenage children joining the expanded family. Given the three teens’ growing self-sufficiency, Jackson revisited the idea of enrolling at NCC. 

“I was at a point in my career where I knew I wouldn’t be able to keep advancing,” she says. “I spoke with my husband, and he gave me his support.” 

Back to School 

Jackson started taking online classes in spring 2021 and focused on fulfilling prerequisites until she was accepted into the dental hygiene program, which she began full time in August 2023. She admits finding it challenging to return to school after so many years away and sharing a classroom with students closer in age to her son than to herself.  

“It’s a different mindset not just getting up to go to work. It’s a different schedule and level of thinking,” she says. “But I’m forming bonds with my classmates because we’re going through the same struggles.” 

Jackson says she likes that her education includes treating people in the community. Some are longtime patients of the program who might not be able to afford conventional dental options. They say they’ve never received a better cleaning elsewhere, she notes. “Building relationships with them has been really enlightening."

She says her experience as a dental assistant has been helpful in some ways, though her job’s focus is restorative dentistry, whereas the program teaches preventative care and cleaning.   

“We’re in there with sharp instruments and tools,” Jackson explains. “Having a base of knowledge that’s a lot more in-depth does change the dynamic. With my experience I went in with more confidence and then became very humbled throughout the process, learning that I don’t know it all; learning so I can provide better care for these patients.” 

The independence of working in the NCC clinic is a big difference compared to Jackson’s job. “I’ve always been an assistant under the dentist’s eye,” she says. “You never have that one-on-one care with the patient. It’s something you work for — not having to be under the supervision of someone, being trusted to provide care yourself.” 

A Welcome Challenge 

Jackson says her instructors want her and her classmates to be the best hygienists they can be. "They really push us to find ourselves and find what works. They give us all the tools we need. I like that they challenge us and don’t just make it an easy experience.” 

Jackson is excited about graduating in May 2025 when her son will receive his high school diploma. 

“My son has seen me struggle a lot over the years — just for him to see me at my age going back to school and that I did this to help our family means a lot to me.”