Julio Cesar, on resilience, representation & redefining the dental path

This month, we’re spotlighting Julio Cesar — a first-generation student, future hygienist, and the voice behind Open Wide with Julio. He brings honesty, heart, and a fresh outlook on what it means to grow in this field on your own terms.

quip: Many dental assistants are curious about expanded functions but do not fully understand the path. What does becoming a RDAEF2 actually involve, and what do you wish you had known before starting?

Julio: Becoming an RDAEF2, also known as a restorative dental clinician, is such a rewarding career for dental assistants who do not want to return to school to become a hygienist or dentist. You work alongside the dentist, finishing many of the tasks that a dentist would normally do. We take care of placing and contouring final composite and amalgam restorations, fabricating, designing, and seating final indirect and direct restorations (crowns, bridges, implants). We can seal root canals with gutta percha, and we can also pack gingival cord. We also do all the other duties an RDA can do. What I wish I had known before starting is that this program will also require you to recruit patients to work on, and you will need a DDS supervisor for course approval. Make sure to also verify that the program of choice is accredited by your state’s dental association.

quip: Working in restorative dentistry gives you a different view of patient outcomes. How has assisting with advanced procedures changed the way you think about prevention and long term oral health?

Julio: I always knew dentistry was complicated, but I never fully understood what came with the career until I earned my RDAEF2 license. Now, as an EF2, I can see the extensive care and attention to detail that dentistry entails. I work alongside amazing dentists to ultimately provide the best care for patients, which allows me to be involved one-on-one with the outcomes of these procedures and makes me more grateful for the resolution of patients’ oral health. This career has ultimately made me love dentistry even more and solidified my decision to continue my education.

quip: Transitioning from dental assisting to hygiene is something many professionals consider but hesitate to pursue. What ultimately pushed you to take that next step in your dental career?

Julio: I always knew that dental hygiene was in the back of my mind, but I thought it was not possible because of the way I lived and the expenses involved. I truly think that if dental hygiene is something you want to pursue, there are so many options for school expenses that I did not even know existed. There are many student loan programs and even state assistance options that can help. I am still figuring things out as far as tuition, but do not be scared to ask questions and set up counseling appointments with your local colleges. I also truly believe that a dream would not be placed in your heart if it was not meant for you. What ultimately made me decide to pursue dental hygiene is that I would be able to provide more oral care for my patients. I would be able to help them on a deeper level through education and preventive dentistry. I want to be able to help those around me.

quip: As a first generation student navigating dentistry, you have had to build your own roadmap. What challenges have shaped you most so far, and what has helped you stay focused on your goal?

Julio: This is such a great question. I honestly did not have the best childhood or upbringing, and my parents did the best they could to provide for our family. Unfortunately, they were not very college-minded or educated, so the biggest challenge for me was figuring everything out as I grew up. I lost my mother at a very young age, and my father struggled with alcoholism, so the support was not always there. They did provide a roof and food as needed, and Hispanic culture is very much centered around work with little room for play. I think trying to change my future and living situation became my main goal. I wanted to be a role model for other first-generation individuals who have gone through similar struggles. Setting an example for my younger siblings and my nieces and nephews has also helped me stay focused. I want to make my entire family proud and inspire those around me at all costs. I think that has been my biggest motivation, to be able to stand proud as the first college graduate and dental hygienist in my family.

quip: Through your content and podcast, Open Wide with Julio, you are creating space for honest conversations about dental careers. What topics do you think current & future dental professionals need more transparency around?

Julio: I think the beauty of life is that everyone has a voice and freedom of speech, but sometimes we are scared that our voice will be misunderstood or not received well, so we stay quiet. I think what makes life beautiful is the different opinions people hold and the different lives everyone lives. If we were all perfect, the world would be boring, in my opinion. I truly wanted to start my platforms and podcast to allow people to fully speak about what is truly on their mind and heart, and not be afraid to do so. I think talking about career burnout, mental health, pay transparency, and everyday struggles is what we need to normalize more. Someone out there will relate to you and your story, and that is what Open Wide provides, a safe space to do so.

quip: When you look back at the version of yourself just starting out, what belief did you have to unlearn in order to grow into the clinician you are becoming?

Julio: MISTAKES HAPPEN, and that is okay. You will not be the best clinician straight off the bat, it takes time. Give yourself grace to make mistakes and learn from them. I learned from a great mentor that making mistakes is good, because that is how you learn what not to do next time around. I also think comparison is the thief of joy. Always stay in your lane and be happy knowing that you are enough. It is okay to have bad days, and it is okay to make mistakes. BE TEACHABLE.

quip: You have seen quip evolve over the years. How did you view the brand or products earlier in your career compared to how you see it today?

Julio: I think quip has an amazing vision, and like anything else, the products take time to perfect. That is the beauty of life evolving and improving. I think quip has done that. They are always evolving and growing their products to make sure patients have the best tools for optimal oral health care.

Follow Julio on TikTok & Instagram: @julioothefutureguygienist