The scholarship is one of three which was made available to the greater Wellington regional dental service thanks to funding from the Ministry of Health this year for students of Pacific origin undertaking a Bachelor of Oral Health, Dental Therapy, with the University of Otago.
The scholarships aim to increase the numbers of Pacific dental therapists taking care of the oral health of children and young people in the Wellington region. Having dental therapists who share the culture of the children and families they are working with, better addresses Pacific oral-health needs.
Otessa says she is thrilled with her achievement. “Opportunities like this don’t come along that often and being successful is a massive push for my confidence.”
Originally from Samoa, Otessa came with her family to live in Wainuiomata when she was 12 years old. She had never been to a dentist. “I needed so many fillings and tooth extractions and found it really hard spending many hours in the dentist chair.”
At 21 she is the youngest of six children and on graduation will be the first in her family to achieve a degree.
Otessa says she had never considered a career in oral health and after leaving Sacred Heart College in Lower Hutt, moved back to Samoa and then to Australia and began work in retail. After having a young daughter she moved back to Wainuiomata to be near family and saw an advertisement for a dental therapist assistant position.
“I actually thought it was an administration position right up until after the interview.”
Otessa was pleasantly surprised to find the hands-on work fascinating and was motivated by colleagues to apply for the scholarship.
“I already know so many families in the community and also know they may have a different understanding of what good dental care is. I think I can make a big difference and can’t wait to come back here to work.”
Otessa is due to travel to the University of Otago next year to begin her study.Once she is fully qualified she work at a DHB in the Wellington region for at least two years.
