When Maggie Mitchell was asked as a child what she wanted to be when she grew up, she enthusiastically proclaimed, “Tooth fairy.” And with that, Mitchell started down a career path toward dentistry.

Mitchell’s childhood dream evolved into a more realistic ambition by the time she reached high school in Huntsville. It was then that she became certain of her plans to pursue dentistry after receiving an opportunity to sit chairside while an orthodontist put on her brother’s braces.

“Getting my braces off was a pivotal moment for me. But when that was followed by the opportunity to observe dentistry, I was on cloud nine,” Mitchell says.

“I watched the orthodontist use tools so similar to the ones I used while making jewelry as a little girl, while simultaneously talking about the science of the slow, continuous force in the wire she was placing. I realized a dentist is a doctor, artist, caregiver, and scientist all in one. It felt like my love of art and science had finally come together, and that moment made me realize dentistry could be my future.”

Mitchell maintains that same level of enthusiasm as a D3 in the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) School of Dentistry (SOD). She began the DMD program within months of graduating from Samford University in 2022 with a degree in Biology / Genetics, and quickly realized that “dentistry is perfect for me.”

Of course, there is no fairy dust involved in creating a dental degree. It takes time and hard work, and the ability to overcome mistakes along the way. But for Mitchell, that part of the journey also has been rewarding.

“The most important thing I’ve learned in dental school is that being uncomfortable isn’t a bad thing,” Mitchell says. “Every single day you will learn something new, and the best way to do that is to challenge yourself. Knowing that it is OK to make mistakes and realizing that is the best way to learn has been really beneficial for me.”

“When I look back to when I started (at the SOD), I can clearly see how much I’ve grown. Not just as a future dentist, but as a person. One of the biggest areas of growth has been building confidence. There’s a distinct shift that happens when you go from questioning yourself to trusting the skills and knowledge you’ve worked so hard to develop. That transformation is something I’m proud of and continue to work on every day.”

Mitchell caught a glimpse of her future last August at the White Coat Ceremony / Family Day event for her SOD Class of 2026. Mitchell says she and her classmates enjoyed showing off the clinic and lab rooms to family members, and demonstrating how much they’ve already learned.

“It was such a special experience to have everyone’s families visit the place where we spend so much of our time,” Mitchell says. “The energy of the day was so joyful. The sweetest part for me was reflecting on how much my family has supported me through this journey. It was heartwarming to see that same love and pride shared among my classmates and their families.

“Celebrating together, surrounded by so much love and support, was an unforgettable experience. It felt like all the people who mean the most to us were gathered in one place, and I’ll always treasure that day.”