For Kylar Northcutt, becoming a dental hygienist was not just about mastering clinical skills—it was about perseverance, growth, and finding a second family along the way. After beginning a back-and-forth journey at ACC in 2016, Kylar finally committed in 2022. By May 2024, she was walking the stage at graduation with her Associate of Applied Science in Dental Hygiene in hand.

“The dental hygiene program was the most challenging things I have faced! However, I always felt supported by professors, mentors, and friends. Our clinic reflects what you see in the real world. We were so blessed with all the technology and tools we had access to! After my first semester, it felt like time flew by. Before I knew it, I was walking across the stage, so proud of all that I had conquered.”

Finding support from her classmates helped Kylar get across the finish line.

“My favorite parts of being at ACC are the lifelong friends I have made. They are not just my classmates. They are family. Never walk the journey alone. Find your support team and lean on them.”

Her ACC family was made up of 17 students who were all part of the 2024 graduating class. The entire cohort achieved outstanding outcomes, including a 100% on-time completion rate, a perfect pass rate on both the national and regional board exams, and a ranking in the 97th percentile nationwide. 

“My classmates and I knew that the boards were one of the last hurdles between us and what we had worked so hard for the last two years. It was the motivation to give one final push in studying nonstop before becoming a hygienist.”

Now, Kylar is taking her next steps in life. She’s planning her wedding and successfully works as a full-time temporary hygienist at multiple dental offices in Round Rock, Pflugerville, Austin, and Marble Falls. 

“ACC helped me get here. It was the right choice because it gave me financial relief. While I still faced normal student financial responsibilities, I felt I could attain what I needed without worrying about taking out loans.” 

For more information on the program, visit austincc.edu/dentalhygiene.