Meet Rebecca (Beckie) Bowman

Today we’d like to introduce you to Rebecca Bowman.

Rebecca, before we jump into specific questions about your work, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
When I start looking back on my story and how I got to where I am today, I can’t believe all the things that have happened, and I am only 28 years old. The big question is how did I end up here? It all started in Littleton Colorado from the day I was born till 12th-grade graduation. Growing up I wanted to be a vet because I loved animals so much. My closet was full of stuffed animals and believe it because I named every single one of them. Besides being a vet the one thing that stole my heart growing up was basketball. Basketball made me so happy I couldn’t wait to get up in the morning and go to school just so I could get to practice and prepare for that week’s game. Even when I was going through hard times, I knew that basketball was one thing that would never fail me.

Basketball taught me so much but the one thing that I value out of this game was the way it taught me to be a hard worker, never give up, be a team, and don’t ever be selfish. I never wanted to give up this game, so I made it a goal of mine to get a scholarship and play in college. One day I got the email and phone call that I was being offered a spot to play basketball in Sioux City, IA. I didn’t even have to consider it, I got accepted said yes and left my hometown. After playing for an entire year though my love for the game changed. I loved experiencing the move, the traveling, and meeting new people but family is more important to me in the end. I grew up being so close to my family and being apart from them was very hard. Not only was my family going through a hard time, I knew that I had to be back home even if it meant giving up basketball. I knew going home though I needed to finish school, so I attended metro state university during my sophomore year.

Being home I didn’t have basketball anymore, so I had to find another passion of mine and let me tell you I didn’t find it right away. After my sophomore year, I decided to quit school because I was lost and didn’t know what direction I wanted to take. I gave up, and I quit for a while to figure out who I am. I ended up being a full-time server and living as a “college” student who wasn’t attending classes anymore. Basketball consumed my life and I was so in love with it that I never really thought about a career until one day my mother sent me a craigslist AD for a position as a Dental Assistant in a Pediatric Dental office. I looked it over and after re-doing my resume I sent it in just for fun. I wasn’t super serious about being a dental assistant, but I applied anyway to see if they would even hire me. I was 20 years old sitting in that parking lot 30 minutes before my interview and I sat there debating on even going in… I almost drove away but I didn’t.

I can proudly say after eight years I have worked my entire way up in that clinic and now I am crossed trained running the front and back office. When I got that position, I knew that this could be something good and I can find a new passion. Whoever thought it would be dentistry? Teeth? Being hired with no experience and having someone believe in you is very encouraging and motivating so I enrolled in Dental Assisting school and completed my certification. After that, I enrolled in classes to become an EDDA (extended duty dental assistant) all while I was still working. After years of learning and on the job training, I knew it was time to get my degree and finish school so at 26 years old I took online classes and got my bachelor’s in healthcare management.

It took me 28 years to get my bachelor’s, but I am very proud of my accomplishment. I wasn’t on the same path everyone else was and I didn’t finish my degree by 22 years old like everyone else either. It took me a long of a time to be okay with that, but every day I still remind myself that its okay to be different. Receiving my bachelor’s has just made it easier for me to know I can achieve any goal of mine no matter how old I am. I will continue working this coming 2020 making new goals for either being a dental hygienist or maybe even a pediatric dentist one day.

Has it been a smooth road?
It has not been a smooth road, and I can honestly say my 20s have been the hardest years I have ever lived. Trying to figure out who you are as an individual is very hard, let alone what you want your career to be. If you ask my family or friends, I am constantly changing my mind and I have done that my entire 20’s and I’m going, to be honest, I still do. My horoscope would describe me as determined, confident, impatient, moody, short-temper, impulsive, and aggressive. Some true some false. What I have learned though is that nobody can fully prepare you for the world and your life. We live in a world full of so many people and opinions, but you need to make yourself understand that it’s your life and you need to live it how you want.

People are going to judge you, talk about you, and some will make you even feel small. Our world is so different from when our parents grew up and a lot of it I believe has to do with social media and comparing ourselves to one another. I am very guilty of that and I can admit that it’s made me feel down about myself or even depressed sometimes. In my 20s I lost myself before I never really sat down to take the time to figure out who I really was. Sure, deep down I knew who I was but for several years I covered it up with insecurities and the “perfect” image of what my life is supposed to be. I learned the hard way and spent months being sad wondering when things were going to get better, but that’s the thing I learned was things don’t just get “better” I am the only person who can fix things for myself so I did.

Between my friends, personal life, school or work I knew that it was my choice at the end of the day. We all go through hard times, but if you take anything away from reading my story just know that who you are today isn’t going to be who you are tomorrow or even the next day. If you want change all you must do is get the courage and effort and do it. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise, make sure you stay strong and true to yourself no matter how bumpy the road can be.

We’d love to hear more about your work.
I personally don’t own a business… but I can say that I do work in an amazing office. Dentistry for children hasn’t just been my “job” but my second home. These past eight years that I have been working there I can tell you I have learned a lot but also, I gained my passion. My passion soon became dentistry and kids. As much as I loved basketball growing up, I never thought that the dental field would steal my heart. It didn’t steal my heart right away, but eventually as I grew it grew with me.

The reason why I know I found my passion is because I go to work every day and investigate mouths when most people would find that “disgusting” when I find it to be quite interesting. Smiles are a huge part of our life and without dentistry, I can promise you that this world would have fewer smiles in it. Dentistry didn’t just steal my heart though and become my “passion” because I don’t think I would of fell in love with it if it didn’t involve kids. I can’t tell you how rewarding it is to make a kid smile and believe in themselves. It brings me so much joy when a kid can get over their own fear and is excited about their own accomplishments. The bonds and relationships that you build with your own patients are a rewarding feeling and that’s something I know I don’t ever want to lose.

Is our city a good place to do what you do?
Centennial has been my home my entire life and it has grown in so many ways! Colorado, in general, is a place that is growing and I can say that we are the next LA. I can’t tell you how many people have moved here and especially for work. We are growing day by day and not only centennial but denver is huge now! My dad grew up here as well and he shows me all of the old buildings that are left, and there is fewer and fewer each year! I would say colorado in any city would be a good start for any business, especially centennial!

Contact Info:

• Email: Rebecca.bowman31@gmail.com
• Instagram: Beckie_bowman
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100009952545555

Suggest a story: VoyageDenver is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.