When Renata Budny was a girl she liked to paint and sculpt-talents that she turned into a successful career in dental technology. She met a dental technician through her dentist who suggested she look into it.
When Renata Budny was a girl she liked to paint and sculpt-talents that she turned into a successful career in dental technology. She met a dental technician through her dentist who suggested she look into it. Renata did her research and found that dental technology required an intriguing mix of skills.
“It combines not only artistic talent, but imagination, intelligence, design and engineering to make a beautiful smile for a patient,” she said of the career that became her passion.
Renata is a member of the department of Restorative Dentistry at the New York City College of Technology and an assistant professor in dental lab technology. She pursued teaching to provide a stable future for her family and to her surprise, it ended up being a dream job.
“It is very gratifying to see my students finds themselves in the professional dental environment and to know that I was part of their professional journey.”
Renata’s own journey, especially while fulfilling the degree requirements to become a professor, was not always easy. Her daughter, Maya, was 1 and, along with parenting, she had to juggle her studies while working two to three jobs. Her daughter is now 10.
“Every time I wasn’t sure if I could pull it together I thought about my daughter and her future and that gave me the strength to deal with the challenge,” she said.
Renata serves as president and clinic director of the Greater New York CDT Study Group and organizes four to six lectures a year.
“I feel blessed every day to have been given the chance to be a dental professional.”