Ashley Maldonado Completes Dental Assisting Program While Embracing Motherhood

This month, Ashley Maldonado will graduate from Cape Fear Community College’s Dental Assisting program after completing the program while pregnant, giving birth during spring break, and returning to finish her final coursework and clinical requirements just weeks later.

When Ashley found out she was pregnant just weeks before starting the program, she had to decide whether to put her schooling on hold or continue.

“I knew if I stopped going to school, I wouldn’t want to go back,” she said. “If it’s a one-year program, I knew I could just push through and finish it, especially knowing it would help support my family.”

Finding Motivation Through Family

That commitment meant making the daily drive from Whiteville to Wilmington throughout the program. Behind that commitment was the example Ashley saw from her own mother, who raised five daughters and became the person she looked to when things felt challenging.

“My mom is my biggest motivation,” Ashley said. “If she could do that, there’s no reason for me to stop going to school or think I couldn’t do it.”

After starting the program this past August, Ashley kept up with classes and clinicals while making the daily drive from Whiteville to Wilmington. As her due date got closer, she continued completing her clinical hours.

“I was there counting contractions on a notepad,” Ashley said. “I was just ready to push through if my body could handle it.”

Returning to the Classroom as a New Mom

Ashley welcomed her baby during spring break. While adjusting to life with a newborn, she stayed in contact with her instructors and kept up with as much coursework as she could from home. Just one month later, she was ready to return to campus.

“My mind was on finishing school. I was determined to go back.”

She caught up on assignments within a week and worked with her instructors to complete missed competencies and clinical requirements.

Looking back, Ashley says she could not have completed the program without her instructors’ support.

“I really couldn’t have done it without them,” she said. “Ms. Mayton and Ms. Gause stayed on top of everything. Anything I needed, I’d reach out to them, and they’d help me.”

Beginning Her Career in Dentistry

After graduation, Ashley will continue working at Whiteville Family & Cosmetic Dentistry, where she completed clinical rotations during the program.

Ashley quickly felt welcome by the team and appreciated their willingness to support her as she balanced school, pregnancy, and becoming a new mom. When she needed to make up clinical hours after having her baby, the practice opened its doors and worked with her to complete the requirements to graduate.

Now, Ashley is excited to continue learning at a practice she already loves while gaining experience assisting with a variety of procedures, including extractions, implants, IV sedation, and prosthodontics.

As she begins her career as a certified dental assistant, Ashley is looking forward to having a schedule that allows her to continue growing professionally while spending time with her baby.

Learn more about CFCC’s Dental Assisting program.