We had the good fortune of connecting with Kenyetta Jackson, RDH and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Kenyetta, how does your business help the community?
I wanted to make a difference. I wanted to be that opportunity for people. Because if nobody gives them a chance how can they get the experience? I want to sow into my community and surrounding areas. I want to produce more job opportunities for the Dental Field and also train the people that have the education but no experience. I want to give them a chance to show that they can do it instead of having door after door shut in their face like I did just because they don’t have the experience. After all someone has to believe in them and I believe that person is me!

Please tell us more about your work. Weld love to hear what sets you apart from others, what you are most proud of or excited about. How did you get to where you are today professionally. Was it easy? If not, how did you overcome the challenges? What are the lessons you’ve learned along the way. What do you want the world to know about you or your brand and story?
As a child I was abandoned, went from house to house, relative to relative, touched inappropriately, hungry some days, hair barely done etc.. I was told I wasn’t going to amount to anything, I was told I was a mistake, I was told I didn’t know who my real dad was, I was told I would be just like my mom because as a child nothing my mom did was wrong in my eyes, even when she left me on my brother’s dad door steps and never came back. I was told no one would support me. You know what? They were right! Award ceremonies, no one was there to clap for me, no one to help with homework, no one to tell me they are proud of me. My mom and dad didn’t make ANY of my award ceremonies or graduations. So you see I had to break the cycle and prove them wrong! I decided to not let them determine what I was going to do with my dash (-) for those of you that don’t know what I mean; its your sunrise-sunset, but most importantly you have to decide what are you going to do with the dash in between. I dedicated myself, my childhood, and my life to not being stereotyped. I went to school and made something of myself. At Lawson State; I was always on the Dean’s List, I won Miss Dental Assistant. I was determined to be the best I could be. I was the 1st person to graduate from college with a degree in my family. It wasn’t easy but I was proud of myself! However shortly after that I got discouraged when I couldn’t find a job.

When I graduated from Lawson State in 2009 it was so hard to find a job as a dental assistant. No one would hire me because I had no experience. I had the education but not the experience. I had door after door shut in my face. I started to feel like I went to school for nothing. I’m in debt for nothing. After 2 years finally I started working at UAB Dental School through their temp service. They were my first stepping stone. They gave me a chance when no one else did. It was only $10.25/hr but I didn’t care. It took me two years to find a job but It was a start! Every since then I was trying to think of a plan to help people find dental jobs but I kept coming up with nothing. I felt like I needed help or I couldn’t do it alone. Later in life I got established and went to school again in 2015 I became a Registered Dental Hygienist. In 2020 Covid hit us hard and I took that time off to pray, fast, plan, save, and grind. God told me I didn’t need anyone to go into business with me. Blood, sweat, and tears! It was all me. January of 2021 I launched Preferred Dental Services. One thing I decided to do differently than other temp agencies is I offer an “Observation Refresher & Hands-on Training Overview.” This is not a course but a hands-on overview training. Dr. Rolle and I train the ones who have the education but no experience and then send them to dental offices. I make sure they know what they’re doing before sending them. If they can master the basics everything else will flow. Some of the dentist end up hiring the staff I send. I have a few Dentists who refer Dental Assistants to PDS to take my training. But what if I wasn’t doing what i’m doing? It is a good chance they probably wouldn’t have had that opportunity or either their resume would’ve been tossed to the side or over looked.

Today I am a mother of 2 to Kamaria (11) and Chase (4). I am the owner/CEO of Preferred Dental Services, LLC. I am a Registered Dental Hygienist. I am a Boss! I didn’t have the support then but TODAY I have a MAJOR support system! I am also a licensed part time Natural Hair stylist who does free community hair braiding for back to school every year for the kids in my community! God is so amazing and has blessed me more than I deserve so I always try to pay it forward. I recently passed the Dental Hygiene Infiltration course so I can be licensed to perform local anesthetic! (meaning license to numb my patients) My goal list is complete. Oral health is my happy place. It is my passion and my career. I enjoy breeding smiles. Hair is gift I was blessed with and decided to invest in it so I could learn how to properly care for natural hair. It’s safe to say I enjoy making people feel better about themselves!

Everyone has a sad story….Never forget where you come from….Never let your up-bringing change who God has called you to be! To my past I want to say: Thank you because without my agony and tribulations; I wouldn’t be where I am and who I am today!

To anyone who is reading this: Always remember God put our eyes in FRONT of our head, so we can see where we are GOING and not where we’ve BEEN!

P.S. Remember to floss first and then brush your teeth! Night time is MOST important!

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
My favorite restaurant is Bricktop. They have good drinks and good food! I would eat it every day if I could! I frequent the comedy club because I love to laugh. Hush Lounge is a great adult vibe on Sundays. I also like Bar Sebastian (rooftop)

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
First and foremost BIG SHOUT out to the man above! I’m so grateful for this milestone. Shout to my sister in law Sabrina for recommending me and my business. Shoutout to my family and close friends. Special shout out to my sister/biggest supporter La’Shunta, my mentor, Dr G. Rolle, My God mom Reita, my best friend Nadia, my tax accountant and now friend Cherese, all the Dental offices that support and use PDS, and most of all my staff! Without my staff there is no Preferred Dental Services. Also big shout to Dreamer’s School of cosmetology: Mrs. Kim & Ms. Avery

Website: www.callpds.net

Instagram: @pds_llc

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/callpds

Other: Hair www.kensation.as.me

Image Credits
1737 Photography

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