Briana Trieu didn’t begin her academic journey in dental hygiene, but every step led her there with intention. After starting at the University of Minnesota, the pandemic shifted her path. She began assisting at a family friend’s dental practice, a suggestion from her aunt that quickly became a calling.
“I realized I really enjoyed STEM and science, but also the relationships, with patients and my team,” Trieu reflects. “Educating people and helping them access care they’ve gone without for years has been incredibly rewarding.”
That realization led her to Normandale, where she found a program aligned with her values. They care about maintaining their facilities and keeping everything up to date,” she says. “They also offer resources beyond the classroom that truly aid in people’s learning.”
Normandale’s Dental Hygiene program emphasizes comprehensive, patient-centered care, something Trieu sees reflected in her clinical experiences. “A lot of my patients tell me they learn more about their oral health here than they do at their regular dental clinics.”
“It reminds students like me, who return to school in adulthood, that their hard work matters. It pays off when you put in the work.”
Scholarships have also played a key role. The Metro Dentalcare/Heartland Dental Hygiene Endowed Scholarship and the Normandale Foundation Returning Adult Scholarship helped ease the cost of materials and board exam prep. “It’s lifted some financial burdens,” she says. “I can spend more time studying and less time worrying.”
Trieu graduated in May 2025, and is excited about Normandale’s upcoming Center for Interprofessional Education in Healthcare. “I’d love to see collaborative outreach where patients receive both dental and primary care in one appointment.”
Her goals are simple but powerful: to be a great hygienist, build lasting relationships, and provide individualized care with empathy.
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