I KNOW WHAT CAAPID INTERVIEWERS ARE LISTENING FOR.

Because I've spent 13 years in the Same room where foreign-trained dentists either make it or don't.

From the front desk to the chairside to the coaching room.

I'm Abraham Castellanos, a California-licensed Registered Dental Hygienist. As a native English/Spanish bilingual, I’ve spent 13 of my 16 years in the dental industry as a chairside clinician.

I started at the front desk and quickly moved into dental assisting, then earned my hygiene license in 2013. Since then, I’ve worked across many settings — from nonprofits and hospitals to small private practices. I’ve supported Spanish-speaking patients and helped numerous foreign-trained dentists navigate American dental offices.

Throughout my career, I’ve observed both American and LATAM dentists — some build highly successful careers, while others crash and burn. I’ve seen talented professionals who still sound like they’re interviewing… or worse, avoid speaking English because they’re not comfortable explaining treatment plans or making small talk, leaving the assistant to do all the talking while they nod from the stool.

Those repeated light-bulb moments showed me my real calling. This year, I earned my CELTA certification from Cambridge to deepen my teaching skills.

I’m not a linguist, but I study them. I use proven frameworks when they work — and set them aside when real-life experience in the operatory teaches something better.

That’s why I founded Dentalengua.

I can tell you with confidence: you can do this.

¡Que el éxito abunde!

-Abraham Castellanos, RDH, CELTA