I recently retired from Montville Dental Associates, where I worked as a dental hygienist since 1998. It has been a wonderful experience! I have worked with dedicated staff, under two talented dentists and and have seen the profession grow. When I graduated Columbia in 1973 implants were new and unpredictable and sealants were innovative. I wore a uniform dress and my cap was important to me. The purple ribbon signified Dentistry and the blue was for Columbia. I wore it proudly for many years. As my last day approached I considered how I could make it special. My aunt made the dress for me (and a matching one for her daughter, the nurse). It was still in my closet after four moves. Luckily I could still zip it up. The cap was on the top shelf, where it stayed until I took it down when speaking to kindergarten classes about dental health. That ended when I realized that kids didn't know what caps represented anymore. When I pinned it onto my hair it made me feel proud, and just a little silly. I decided to leave the profession the way I came in, hence the vintage attire. The diploma came off the wall with the help of my husband. He chose to celebrate the occasion by bringing in lunch for us and sharing the anticipation. My life with him is filled with new adventures. I take with me all the random facts that my patients taught me and a heart filled with appreciation for their trust.