{"ItemType":0,"Id":4088,"Key":"443113f6-af7e-4662-ad90-8b080ba9cfa6","TemplateId":2666,"SortOrder":1,"Name":"Sidney Fix","DocumentTypeAlias":"soDStudentProfilePage","DocumentTypeId":2661,"WriterName":"jwilmot1","CreatorName":"jwilmot1","WriterId":45,"CreatorId":45,"Path":"-1,2674,2676,4088","CreateDate":"2025-05-08T09:41:31","UpdateDate":"2025-05-08T14:41:08","Version":"00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000000","UrlName":"sidney-fix","Level":3,"IsDraft":false,"Url":"/who-we-are/students/sidney-fix/","metaKeywords":"","pageTitle":"","hideFromSearch":false,"navigationSettings":"","umbracoUrlName":"","metaDescription":"","navigationTitle":"","umbracoNaviHideChildren":false,"seoSettings":"","umbracoRequireSSL":false,"umbracoNaviHide":false,"auditNotes":"","auditStatus":"","photo":{"src":"/media/2327/fix_web.jpg","focalPoint":{"left":0.52833333333333332,"top":0.4275},"crops":[{"alias":"Portrait","width":500,"height":700,"coordinates":null},{"alias":"2000w","width":2000,"height":1334,"coordinates":null},{"alias":"1200w","width":1200,"height":800,"coordinates":null},{"alias":"600w","width":600,"height":400,"coordinates":null}]},"firstName":"Sidney","quote":"Choosing WVU to pursue dental hygiene was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. This program challenged me in the best ways—academically, professionally and personally.","suffix":"B.S.D.H.","lastName":"Fix","mainContent":"<h4>What is your hometown?</h4>\r\n<p>Staunton, Virginia</p>\r\n<h4>Why did you choose to become a dental hygienist?</h4>\r\n<p>I was an avid volleyball player through my teen years and one of my coaches was a dental hygienist. She always said she loved what she did and encouraged me to consider a career in the dental field. I knew dentistry was the right fit for me when I enrolled in a dental careers class at our local vocational center during my junior year of high school. I was selected to participate in the HOSA (Health Occupation Students of America) challenge in Williamsburg, Virginia. Ever since, I have always felt very passionate about what I do as a student treating patients in the large clinic and there is truly nothing I would rather do!</p>\r\n<h4>Why did you choose WVU for you education?</h4>\r\n<p>I have always had a soft spot for the state of West Virginia. My mom is a WVU alum and continuing the Mountaineer legacy only felt right!</p>\r\n<h4>What would you tell prospective students about your experience at WVU and the School of Dentistry?</h4>\r\n<p>If I could speak to prospective student, I would tell them that choosing WVU to pursue dental hygiene was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. This program challenged me in the best ways—academically, professionally and personally. The faculty truly care about each student and invest an immense amount of time into making well rounded clinicians. They want you to succeed. I do not feel like I am graduating JUST with a degree in dental hygiene; I am leaving this program with so much more. I’ve gained confidence in myself, a genuine passion for patient care, professionalism and empathy, and a deep, evidence-based understanding of oral health. This is a program that teaches you more than JUST dentistry. It shapes you into a better version of yourself, not only for you, but for your patients for years to come.</p>\r\n<h4>What will you miss most about WVU?</h4>\r\n<p>West Virginia has some of the nicest and most loyal people I have ever met. I will miss the life I have built here for the last few years, but I know in my heart that I will be back to pursue more education.</p>\r\n<p><a href=\"https://dentistry.wvu.edu/News/Story?headline=combining-interests-and-inspiration-wvu-dental-hygiene-graduate-follows-her-purpose\" data-anchor=\"?headline=combining-interests-and-inspiration-wvu-dental-hygiene-graduate-follows-her-purpose\"><span class=\"button-user\">read more about Sidney's journey</span></a></p>","graduationDate":"2025-05-16T00:00:00","program":{"ItemType":0,"Id":2577,"Key":"23013e13-8d82-470f-84f2-ea7dfc8aee5d","TemplateId":2562,"SortOrder":1,"Name":"Bachelor of Science","DocumentTypeAlias":"sodProgramPage","DocumentTypeId":2545,"WriterName":"ssw0005","CreatorName":"daedmonds","WriterId":39,"CreatorId":10,"Path":"-1,2420,2465,2577","CreateDate":"2018-11-16T08:34:12","UpdateDate":"2024-04-05T17:13:37","Version":"00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000000","UrlName":"bachelor-of-science","Level":3,"IsDraft":false,"Url":"/students/bachelor-of-science/","metaKeywords":"","pageTitle":"Bachelor of Science **Dental Hygiene**","hideFromSearch":false,"navigationSettings":"","umbracoUrlName":"","metaDescription":"","navigationTitle":"","umbracoNaviHideChildren":false,"seoSettings":"","umbracoRequireSSL":false,"umbracoNaviHide":false,"auditNotes":"","auditStatus":"Updated","departmentID":0,"userID":"","featureImageDescription":"Dental hygiene students work together in the clinic.","featureButtons":[],"featureImage":{"src":"/media/1837/resized-lab-photo-for-bs-program-page.jpg","focalPoint":{"left":0.505,"top":0.50444444444444447},"crops":[{"alias":"large","width":2000,"height":1125,"coordinates":{"x1":0.0,"y1":0.020997415377399114,"x2":0.1141732283464567,"y2":0.3146325058824434}},{"alias":"medium","width":1200,"height":675,"coordinates":{"x1":0.0,"y1":0.0,"x2":0.050632911392405063,"y2":0.28797468354430378}},{"alias":"small","width":600,"height":337,"coordinates":{"x1":0.0,"y1":0.055696202531645575,"x2":0.050632911392405063,"y2":0.23333333333333331}}]},"primaryFeatureButton":"[]","featureSummaryBlurb":"Our four-year program prepares our graduates to be the best qualified and most experienced hygienists entering the work force today.","overviewBlurb":"In this professional program, students receive strong patient care experiences with science and liberal arts education. Extensive hands-on curriculum ensures our students are confident and prepared to meet the public's oral healthcare needs.","tuitionLink":[],"hideTuitionLink":false,"widgets":"{\"fieldsets\":[]}","programSummary":"Our four-year curriculum leads to a B.S. in dental hygiene. The program is based in the liberal arts, but it is also a thoroughly professional program. Hygiene is a program of excellence at WVU.","applyNowButton":"[{\"name\":\"Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene\",\"udi\":\"umb://document/9192403f0a5a426b95e1a1192ca6a8df\"}]","mainContent":"<h2>Our Philosophy</h2>\r\n<p>Continual change in the social, economic, and educational structure of our society has led to an acute awareness of personal health needs. Foremost among these changes are a better informed and educated public, improved technology, and increased life expectancy. While the health professions acknowledge these general social changes, they must also be cognizant of the increased challenges of an increased scientific knowledge base and the issues related to managed care. The dental hygiene profession must continue to recognize its obligation to meet the dental health needs of a global society, and specifically those of West Virginians. The dental hygiene baccalaureate degree programs provide students with the conceptual framework and learning environment for intellectual growth and professional practice. In order to insure the continuation of this philosophy, the dental hygiene curriculum must be systematically reviewed and enhanced.</p>\r\n<h2>Why choose WVU Dental Hygiene?</h2>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li>First and only four-year integrated Bachelor of Science degree in dental hygiene.</li>\r\n<li>Team-oriented programming within the dental school</li>\r\n<li>Emphasis on working interprofessionally with other health care providers</li>\r\n<li>Small classes</li>\r\n<li>Low faculty-to-student ratio in classes, labs and clinic</li>\r\n<li>Students spend six semesters providing direct patient care</li>\r\n<li>Patient care performed in on-campus student clinic</li>\r\n<li>Eight weeks of patient care performed off campus (externship) in rural care area.</li>\r\n<li>Every student completes a two-year undergraduate research project.</li>\r\n<li>Graduates are immediately employable. 74% of students were employed prior to graduation and 87% of graduates for the last decade found employment within two months after graduation</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<p>As a licensed health professional and oral health educator, the dental hygienist has an important role in the overall health and welfare of the public. The dental hygienist is an integral part of the dental team, providing direct patient care based on the prevention of disease.</p>","programDeadline":""}}
Meet the Grads

Sidney Fix

Bachelor of Science
School of Dentistry

Choosing WVU to pursue dental hygiene was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. This program challenged me in the best ways—academically, professionally and personally.

What is your hometown?

Staunton, Virginia

Why did you choose to become a dental hygienist?

I was an avid volleyball player through my teen years and one of my coaches was a dental hygienist. She always said she loved what she did and encouraged me to consider a career in the dental field. I knew dentistry was the right fit for me when I enrolled in a dental careers class at our local vocational center during my junior year of high school. I was selected to participate in the HOSA (Health Occupation Students of America) challenge in Williamsburg, Virginia. Ever since, I have always felt very passionate about what I do as a student treating patients in the large clinic and there is truly nothing I would rather do!

Why did you choose WVU for you education?

I have always had a soft spot for the state of West Virginia. My mom is a WVU alum and continuing the Mountaineer legacy only felt right!

What would you tell prospective students about your experience at WVU and the School of Dentistry?

If I could speak to prospective student, I would tell them that choosing WVU to pursue dental hygiene was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. This program challenged me in the best ways—academically, professionally and personally. The faculty truly care about each student and invest an immense amount of time into making well rounded clinicians. They want you to succeed. I do not feel like I am graduating JUST with a degree in dental hygiene; I am leaving this program with so much more. I’ve gained confidence in myself, a genuine passion for patient care, professionalism and empathy, and a deep, evidence-based understanding of oral health. This is a program that teaches you more than JUST dentistry. It shapes you into a better version of yourself, not only for you, but for your patients for years to come.

What will you miss most about WVU?

West Virginia has some of the nicest and most loyal people I have ever met. I will miss the life I have built here for the last few years, but I know in my heart that I will be back to pursue more education.

read more about Sidney's journey