Michelle McAden

WHERE THEY'RE FROM: Magnolia, Texas

WHERE THEY'RE HEADED: Staying in El Paso

"One of my sweetest patients first came to the clinic with intense dental anxiety. At our first encounter, she was so apprehensive she was visibly shaking. Still, she was motivated to get her oral health back on track and came to every single appointment without fail. When we finally reached the last visit in her treatment plan, she thanked me and started crying. She told me she no longer felt terrified of the dentist and that I had made a real difference. This will always stick with me—providing meaningful care goes beyond treating disease or following a plan. It’s also about building trust, showing empathy and creating a safe space for healing."