Jeremy DeLeon, 32

In 2015, Jeremy DeLeon was working as a dental assistant at the Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas in San Antonio—a non-profit that provides dental and medical services to the underserved—when he became fascinated by the on-site dental lab. So when a position opened up in the model room, he made a career switch. “I enjoyed my job as a DA,” says DeLeon, “but this was a way to give back to my community even more: by actually helping to make smiles for patients.”

After two years, he moved up to the removables department where he sought out learning opportunities on a daily basis. “From baseplates to small setups, I practiced with whatever I could get my hands on,” he says.

Perry Spindler, CDT, Laboratory Manager, says DeLeon has a natural talent for laboratory work. “In addition to having 10 years of experience as a dental assistant, Jeremy picks things up really quickly,” he says. “He attends CE...