Aliya Ponda ’27: Noxon Orthodontics
I’ve always been interested in healthcare, but my four-week internship at Noxon Orthodontics showed me how much science, problem solving, and teamwork goes into creating a healthy smile. Working alongside Stephen Noxon, Saloni Mehta, and their staff, I observed patient appointments and learned about orthodontics.
My daily responsibilities included cutting orthodontic bands, organizing wires, creating retainers, supporting sterilization efforts, and assisting with office tasks. I also had the opportunity to review treatment plans with Dr. Noxon and learn how orthodontists track progress and make adjustments throughout a patient’s treatment.
One of the most interesting lessons I learned was that orthodontics is essentially a series of carefully calculated cause and effect decisions. During one treatment plan discussion, Dr. Noxon explained how moving a single tooth was not as simple as shifting it into an empty space. Because teeth function as part of an interconnected system, that movement would affect the alignment of neighboring teeth, the patient’s bite, and even how the upper and lower jaws fit together. Watching him think through those consequences several steps in advance reminds me of solving a complex physics problem in which every action produces a reaction. This experience broadened my understanding of the profession and showed me how a career in healthcare can combine problem solving, hands on work, technology, leadership, and meaningful relationships with patients.
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