Why SODC

A Message from the Dean….

As Dean and President of Southern Ontario Dental College, I would like to share that it is an exciting time at the College as we continue to grow and expand. We have many plans for the future of the College and would love to have you be part of our journey.

You may ask, what sets SODC apart from other Dental Hygiene/Dental Assisting schools? At SODC Students have access to state-of-the-art technology, located on premises. The College is situated within a building that houses a Dental Office and Dental Laboratory as well, this allows SODC Students to experience real-life situations. Students have the opportunity to observe live dental procedures and address any questions they may have. This practice aids in the learning process.

The Staff and Faculty at SODC are all highly experienced in their field, and they continue to engage in lifelong learning. The faculty members are passionate and dedicated.

We at SODC believe in providing Students with quality education and fostering their leadership within the community. I, along with all the Staff and Faculty at SODC look forward to helping you on your path to becoming a successful Dental Hygienist and/or Dental Assistant.

Sincerely,

Roland P. Estrabillo, DDS
President and Dean
Southern Ontario Dental College

OUR MISSION

Southern Ontario Dental College provides students with a professional learning environment that promotes the highest standards of Dental Health Education while promoting the importance of ongoing education and research.

OUR VISION

We inspire all students to achieve excellence while acquiring the necessary skills to become empathetic and caring Healthcare Practitioners and life-long learners who instill the importance of maintaining dental wellness in the public they serve as it relates to their overall health and well being.

We believe that there is a direct correlation between dental health and emotional and physical well-being.

To accomplish our mission, we work together to obtain a high level of professionalism, excellence in dental health care, strong work ethics, positive relationships, and foster a sense of pride, camaraderie and trust.

We here at SODC have been architects of change, working together towards a common vision: to create a clean, well-organized, well-disciplined environment in which students and staff feel safe in taking risks to be highly motivated and caring professionals.

ADMINISTRATION

Owner & Dean

Dr. Roland Estrabillo

Owner & CFO

Alysse Estrabillo

Director of Operations

Nancy Campbell-Mione

Program Director

Deanne Farnsworth

Front Desk Administration

Clara Perri

Front Desk Administration

Paul Cantlon

Student Outreach & Engagement Coordinator

Casta Lam

Project Manager

Sierra Tower

Project Manager

Krystal Persaud

Financial Aid Officer

Saralyn Cantlon

Financial Aid Officer

Lisa-Marie Johnston

Admissions Officer

Abby Al-Saleh

ACHIEVEMENTS

CELEBRATING

OVER 20 YEARS OF SODC

A sincerest thank you to our students, alumni, faculty, family and friends for celebrating this monumenatal achievement.

Our journey has been marked by a commitment to advancing dental education and improving oral health.

Thank you for being part of our story.

Have you heard us on radio?

Check out our radio ad!

CHCH AT SODC

Southern Ontario Dental College

has WON in 3 BEST BUSINESS/SERVICES categories in the Hamilton Community News Reader’s Choice Awards for 2025 and 2019:

Adult Education

Private School

Learning Centre

OUR STUDENTS

A DAY IN THE LIFE OF AN

SODC STUDENT

(AKA: caffeine, charts, and controlled chaos)

"I arrive early, because nothing says professional like showing up before your coffee kicks in. Uniform? Passable. Loupes? So clean you could use it to spot plaque on Mars. Documents? Ready and under my temporarily dry armpit.

I’m greeted by my fellow students, the only people who truly understand what it’s like to dream about perio charts and desmosomes. We celebrate each other’s small victories (“I didn’t drop the suction today! ”) and share our impending sense of doom over the upcoming board exams.

Downstairs in the clinic, the staff welcomes us with the patience of saints. Clinical instructors greet us with kind smiles, and that slightly suspicious look that says, “Did you REALLY run the lines today? ” My clinic instructor asks me, “How can I support you today?” To which I give my routine answer: “By pretending in front of my client/family-member that I know what I’m doing.”

With help from my classmates (because no one survives clinic alone), I set up my operatory like a well-oiled machine, (if that machine ran on nerves and hand sanitizer.) My client arrives, thankfully a sweet and patient soul who doesn’t mind that I’m learning and moving like a caffeinated robot trying to remember 100 things at once.

My instructor pops by with the perfect mix of encouragement and “Let’s fix that before you accidentally floss their tonsils.” It’s the kind of support that makes you feel like you might actually survive this semester. After the appointment, I disinfect like it’s an Olympic sport, finish my paperwork (every “t” crossed, every “i” dotted like a dental ninja), and help clean up other operatories. At SODC, no one stands alone.

Then it’s time for food, more coffee (obviously), and class. Lectures are packed with info, but our instructors keep things real with stories that make us laugh and horror tales that ensure we’ll never forget to retract a cheek properly again.

All in all, exhausting, rewarding, hilarious, and just a little bit chaotic. But I wouldn’t trade it for the world. On a scale of 1-10, I would give SODC a bunch."

- David K.

"As a term 1 SODC hygiene student I look forward to clinic days. The hands-on aspect is the most exciting part for me. Arriving on campus, getting dressed in our scrubs and setting up our stations for skills practice and evaluation gets me revved up and ready to learn.

The instructors are all great! I appreciate the smaller groups so that there is opportunity for one-on-one instruction. They really take the time to ensure we understand and feel confident with our instrumentation.

I’ve learned so much not only from the instructors but from fellow classmates with different backgrounds and previous experiences in the field.

My time here so far has been great, and I look forward to what’s to come!"

- Felicia S.

"This is a blessing. I never expected my daily life would be like this before the course. Waking up at 5 a.m. every day, getting a nice shower, and finishing my breakfast, I’m now in front of a desk piled with papers and textbooks. I’m sure I’m not alone. After reviewing the lessons from the previous day, I clear my mind for additional storage space to accommodate another lecture starting at 8 a.m.

At noon, we have an hour for lunch. I'm glad I cooked it in the morning, so I’m not in a hurry before the lecture starts at 1 p.m. If there is a test in the afternoon, I cram for it after lunch. The lectures in the afternoon mostly finish around 4 p.m. At that time, I either head to the gym or the basketball court—I need that break.

Before I go to bed at 10 p.m., I study for the next test. Believe me, you study so much that you start to enjoy those tests. The more I learn, the closer I am to my goal of becoming a dental hygienist, and that motivates me. This new lifestyle has not only taught me professional knowledge but also revealed who I am and disciplined me to become a better person."

- Wu-Chen C.

"My journey to becoming a dental hygienist started a long time ago during years of travelling and includes the special relationship I had formed with regular visits to my family dentist and the resident hygienist. As my life experience and maturity grew so did my interest in the health sciences and in particular dental hygiene. After researching available programs and a very good discussion with my hygienist (who is a former SODC graduate), it became apparent that SODC was the obvious choice. They had a reputation for excellence in learning, success of their students and professionalism at all levels at the school. The icing on the cake for me was after attending the twentieth anniversary party for SODC where I was warmly welcomed by the faculty and current students. This is where I wanted to start my journey to my dental hygiene career.

My classes commenced mid-February of 2025. That means I’m halfway through my first term and let me tell you…. time has flown by. Being in a fast-track program, we came out swinging with exams and assignments immediately. Thankfully, due to the skills of the teaching staff and encouragement offered at all levels, I feel challenged but comfortable and it has reminded of me of my ability to learn something I am not familiar with.

At SODC, we learn through a hybrid platform joining many of our classes online but attending the school for clinic and exams. At first, this scared me, but being online has been one of the most beneficial ways to learn from a time management perspective. I must admit that clinic days are my favourite but having the ability to access classes from my own home, allows me to juggle school and home priorities more cohesively. My classmates are from all different age groups and cultures so this may mean something different to each student. For me, a dog mom, and having a new house and family to take care of, allows me to be successful at school without having to sacrifice my home priorities.

SODC cares about my success and the teachers and staff members are helpful and always available in helping students overcome problems. I find the resources given to us well managed with great portals of communication to all. We have so far been involved in multiple presentations in the oral health care, getting us exposed to the industry we are about to enter. There is much more to come for me here, and I am excited to see what the future holds at SODC."

- Kelly A.

“When I got asked to write a day in the life as an SODC term 1 student, my first thought was “where do I begin”? Each weekday is quite different, with some busier than others, but with each day there is a new challenge or achievement that I have the privilege of experiencing. Some days I face the challenge of learning new things that makes my brain want to explode. Other days I am challenged with preclinic skills like scaling the distal of tooth 38. And sometimes… I just face the challenge of being tired. HOWEVER, each challenge has been followed by an achievement. I’ve successfully learned new material that I never thought I could. I can now (almost fully) scale the distal of 38 and lastly, I discovered that power naps are my super power. The balance of challenge & success in this program is what keeps us all going. It is just as rigorous as it is fulfilling (in my opinion). Although uncomfortable at times, this program fosters growth, resilience & success. And I wouldn’t want my days to be filled any other way.”

- Chloe B.

“Hi! I’m Wania — a SODC student and an immigrant to Canada.

This journey has been one of the most difficult and transformative experiences of my life. Just 12 days before starting the program, I lost my father. Starting something this demanding while going through the deepest grief I’ve ever felt was almost unbearable. I had so many moments — and breakdowns — where I questioned if I could keep going. But I knew my dad wanted this for me. He believed in me. And I knew he’d be proud to see me keep going, even when it hurt.

There were days when I felt completely defeated — mentally, emotionally, and physically. The workload, the pressure, the constant learning curve… it was a lot. I broke down more times than I can count. But through all of it, I kept pushing, because I felt like my dad was with me every step of the way, telling me not to give up.

Clinic days were a whole different kind of chaos — prepping, organizing, reviewing, trying to stay calm when everything felt overwhelming. But little by little, things started to click. I became more confident. I stopped second-guessing myself so much. I started believing that I could do this — not perfectly, but with purpose.

One thing that truly got me through was my classmates. The friendships I’ve made here are something I’ll carry with me forever. These are the people who saw me on my worst days and never let me fall behind. We helped each other through everything — late-night study sessions, early clinic mornings, emotional breakdowns, and all the moments in between. They became my chosen family, and I honestly don’t know how I would’ve made it without them.

Outside of school, my free time has mostly been spent recharging — watching shows, calling my family, or just catching my breath. When life feels heavy, even the smallest moments of rest can make a difference.

SODC’s hybrid format made it possible for me to balance school and personal life during a time when I truly needed that flexibility. Learning online and in-person allowed me to process my grief while still staying on track. It reminded me that healing and growth don’t always happen on a schedule — sometimes, they happen side by side.

This program challenged me in every way. But I came out of it stronger, more resilient, and more sure of myself. I know my father would be proud. And now, so am I.”

- Wania M.

"As you read this post, my journey at SODC has officially ended—I’m a graduate now!" Such a happy and proud moment. After 22 months of hard work! A heartfelt thank you to my husband, all my friends, faculty, and staff.

I was struggling to find a career path in Canada, as my friends and family presented various non-dental suggestions. But deep down, I knew I couldn’t walk away from the field I was truly passionate about. So, I decided to become a dental hygienist - a path that would let me stay connected to dentistry. Next challenge was to find a reputable college. I got admission to various other colleges, but certain factors made me reconsider my decision. After I moved to Burlington, I heard about SODC. The more I learned, the more it felt like the perfect fit. And just like that, I began my journey with SODC.

Mark my words! You need good friends by your side to make all the difference in this course. Thankfully, I got a few amazing ones! Even though we had few in person sessions I was able to build strong connections with my peers. Late night study sessions, assignments, presentations, and countless group activities helped us bond together. They all brought a wealth of knowledge and were always supportive. Through the stress and the laughter, we built friendships that made this journey unforgettable.

Every day was filled with new learning opportunities. Not a single day in client care passed without gaining new insights. Our clinical instructors were always available, generously sharing their expertise and offering practical tips and tricks that made a real impact.

Hybrid learning was the key highlight. As a mom of two, it helped me and my husband to create a schedule that fit our family's needs. The Nearpod lessons were extremely beneficial in helping us stay focused during online classes, while In-person classes provided valuable clinical and hands-on experience. Maintaining home and work life balance was quite challenging for me. The online classes and clinicals, running from 8 to 5, were exhausting. It wasn’t until I learned the power of time-boxing that I began to manage my responsibilities more effectively.

Kind advice to my fellow dentists who are considering pursuing dental hygiene- let me share a little piece of advice... While my background in dentistry certainly helped in understanding the theory and foundational courses, I quickly realised that dental hygiene is a distinctive field of its own.

Yes, you heard it right!

When it comes to the process of care, especially writing treatment plans and working with clients, be prepared to shift your perspective. It’s a different approach, and adapting to it is key. I still remember my term 1 pre-clinicals like it was yesterday. I was learning the instrumentation skills starting from scratch along with my classmates regardless of our background.

Come in with an open mind. Be flexible. Embrace the learning curve. Your previous experience will support you, but it’s your willingness to adapt that will truly help you succeed.

Special shoutout to all the amazing staff and faculty who work tirelessly to keep the program running smoothly! Your dedication, support, and behind-the-scenes efforts never went unnoticed. Grateful for everything you do!”

- Sruthi R.

"When I picture myself as a student, my brain goes straight to Don Carlton from Monsters University. Academic ambition + dad vibes = me.

Balancing parent life with school? Let’s just say creativity is a survival skill. Example: while working on my policy review assignment, I casually handed my daughter a picture of a tongue so she could sculpt one out of Play-Doh for my typodont. Now that is true family commitment.

Being a student also means frequent episodes of zoning out. The never-ending parade of assignment deadlines and engagement activities keeps marching through my brain.

And in clinic, time management is king. I have developed the odd superpower of pulling exactly seven barriers off the blue tape roll in one motion. This is precision at its finest.

Not to mention the raised eyebrow when the male hygienist walks into the Victoria Room to call a client, because being a guy in a profession where women are the overwhelming majority feels a lot like being a highlighted sentence in the Darby & Walsh textbook, impossible not to miss.

Overall, being a male and mature student has been a constant exercise in breaking paradigms. It’s a shout-out to all the Don Carltons out there who enjoy being part of a profession that, in so many ways, impacts people’s lives.

P.S. I never imagined how much value a single green pen could have in the daily survival kit of a dental hygiene student at SODC."

- Jorge D.

"As an almost graduated Dental Assisting student at Southern Ontario Dental College, my experience has been both challenging and incredibly rewarding. From waking up at 4 a.m. to study for a test, I was determined to ace, to stepping into clinic and working on each other and truly experiencing what it means to be a DA, every moment has pushed me to grow. The instructors were amazing, always guiding us with patience and helping us build confidence in our skills.

The support from my classmates and the warmth of the staff truly made the school feel like home. It’s bittersweet to see this chapter come to an end, but I’m so excited to see where the future takes all of us. I’ve learned so much in just 10 months, and I’m forever grateful for the experience. It’s been an unforgettable journey, and I can’t wait to continue being part of the SODC community in the future."

- Savannah M.

STUDENT JOURNEYS

HEAR FROM OUR

SODC STUDENTS

I’m Sarah, and I graduated almost 2 years ago (which is crazy, time flies when you’re having fun!)

Transitioning from school both theory and clinic into actual practice can be really challenging. There is no one supervising your work, no one monitoring your time management skills, and you have a client in your chair trusting you to do the best you can - talk about stressful! For me, I dove in head first and trusted myself and my skills that the instructors helped me develop over my time in clinic. Clinic really does emulate real life office practice - you can’t learn how to scale the distal of ALL the 7s, how to handle multiple mobilities, when to refer to a specialist, how to handle an anxious child or adult, or how to get rid of overlap on your bite wings from reading a textbook. You need the hands-on experience that clinic gives you, AND you need to listen to the instructors. They have worked in real clinical practice and understand and know what the expectations are. They are doing their best to prepare you for actual working conditions where no one is standing in the op watching over your shoulder. Trust them, and ask questions!

Yes, studying for boards is important - we all want that pass on the first try - but your client in your chair in the future needs your clinical skills to be top notch. You can read and study the theory outside of clinic - but while you’re there, that’s your textbook!

As for offices, my advice would be to make sure you’re doing a working interview. It’s for both the office to assess you and how you fit with their environment, but also for you to interview the office! An office may have all the newest tech and upgraded ops, but that doesn’t mean you like the flow, environment, people, IPAC, or schedule. Make sure you stay true to your values as an RDH, and choose an office that supports you and your autonomy as a healthcare provider. They are out there! Stay true to what you know and believe and remember that you are a professional as well, your time should also be respected! ☺️

Good luck!

After graduation, I worked in corporate settings and as a temp dental hygienist across multiple offices in Hamilton and nearby areas. I am currently practicing in a private clinic, providing personalized patient care with confidence.

Being a dentist from India has always driven me to grow further, and I am proud to share that I will be joining dental school in September 2026. This would not have been possible without the strong clinical foundation and mentorship from SODC faculty.

Advice to current DH students and new graduates:
Embrace every opportunity to learn clinical skills, professionalism, and patient communication are equally important. Approach clinical requirements not as tasks, but as meaningful patient care experiences. Ask questions to staff freely and stay engaged with peers. Faculty at SODC are incredibly supportive and always willing to help.

Hey everyone! My name is Geety and I’ve been working as a Registered Dental Hygienist for a full year now after graduating from SODC!

The past year has taught me a lot! Ergonomics being the biggest one. Ergo loupes are always recommended but I would also recommend a saddle chair! It keeps your back straight and legs uncrossed and flat on the floor.

The field itself is very fun, especially when you work with amazing coworkers! Hygiene is a field where you bond with coworkers and clients in the best way possible! I have formed many new professional relationships with clients and coworkers and they make work so much better!

Overall, my job is great! After a few learning curves (which are inevitable!), everything falls into place and working will be smooth as a rock! If anyone has any questions, feel free to DM me! (@geetybaburi) Otherwise, Happy National Dental Hygienists Week and see you all next time! 😊🦷🪥

Hi everyone, my name is Saron! Becoming a dental hygienist was not easy... it was challenging, demanding, and pushed me in so many ways. But getting through school and passing my board exam was one of the most relieving and rewarding feelings I’ve ever experienced.

Now working in the field, I truly love the office I’m in. It feels like a second home to me. I’m surrounded by a supportive, positive environment, and it makes all the difference in the care we give our patients. I’ve learned how important it is to find an office that truly values you. Your voice, your opinions, and the knowledge you worked so hard to build. Being in an environment where you’re respected and heard not only helps you grow, but also allows you to provide the best care possible.

It’s more than just cleanings, it’s about trust, education, and creation of a space where patients feel cared for. I’m so proud to be part of a profession that continues to inspire and challenge me every day 💓
Hi everyone, my name is Saron! Becoming a dental hygienist was not easy... it was challenging, demanding, and pushed me in so many ways. But getting through school and passing my board exam was one of the most relieving and rewarding feelings I’ve ever experienced.

Linda M.

★★★★★

Google Review

My experience at Southern Ontario Dental College has been incredibly rewarding, and I truly believe many of the skills and lessons I learned there, will stay with me throughout my career as a dental hygienist.

One of the best features of the Dental Hygiene program is the online delivery of much of the coursework. It allowed me to stay organized and learn at my own pace outside of clinic and hands-on training.

Academically, the program provides a comprehensive foundation for entering the profession. The instructors are knowledgeable, supportive, and always willing to answer questions or provide additional guidance when needed. They genuinely care about their students’ success and encourage continuous learning throughout the program.

Overall, I am grateful for my time at Southern Ontario Dental College. The education, clinical experience, and mentorship I received have prepared me well for my career, and I would recommend the Dental Hygiene program to anyone looking for a flexible, supportive, and challenging learning environment.

A Message from the Dean….

Southern Ontario Dental College