What Makes Caitlin Love Dental Hygiene
Caitlin Donohue-Vega’s love for dental hygiene is driven by the opportunity to form meaningful connections with others while helping them to live a healthy and rewarding life. She does all of this by addressing challenges with compassion and purpose. Caitlin considers her patients to be more like family. Her love for the field is inspired by the moments when her dedication and hard work lead to positive patient outcomes. Witnessing patients' happiness when they realize that their combined efforts were effective is truly rewarding.
Her commitment extends far beyond the chair. Caitlin is deeply committed to sharing her love for dental hygiene with the next generation of professionals by educating and mentoring high school students who are curious about dental careers. She provides hands-on experiences and shadowing opportunities, offering them a glimpse into the rewards of a profession in dentistry. Seeing these students grow in confidence and interest for dental careers only strengthens her resolve to build a brighter future for the dental field.
Caitlin also loves connecting with children in her community by developing fun and interactive oral health lessons to make learning about oral health exciting. Her favorite moments include seeing children’s faces light up when they understand the importance of oral health and then take pride in their ability to help care for their smiles.
Her love for dental hygiene is perhaps most evident in her choice to live and work in a rural, underserved community. By bringing quality care to areas where resources are limited, Caitlin not only meets the critical needs in these communities, but inspires a culture of oral health awareness. Her relentless drive to address dental workforce shortages and encourage others to join her is making a lasting impact.
Caitlin’s career is built on more than just technical skill—it’s rooted in a genuine love for the work, a deep care for her patients, and a passion to educate, mentor, and inspire. Her love and joy for dental hygiene is unmistakable and at the heart of everything she does.
Memorable Patient Interaction
One of Caitlin’s most memorable patient experiences involved a 16-year-old patient suffering from a vaping-related dental emergency. Recognizing the lack of educational resources addressing this growing issue, Caitlin took action. She spent an entire summer researching the dangers of vaping and developed a youth vaping prevention program, The Smile of a Lifetime Starts Now.
Since its launch in 2019, this program has educated nearly 3,000 students across five Maryland counties, spanning grades 4 through 12. Caitlin’s proactive approach has made a significant impact, garnering support and funding from local health departments. Her program not only addresses an urgent public health concern but also exemplifies her commitment to preventative care and advocacy for healthier communities.
What Keeps Her Inspired and Excited
Caitlin thrives on the flexibility and diverse opportunities that a career in dental hygiene provides. While she works part-time as a clinical dental hygienist in a periodontal specialty practice, her remaining time is dedicated to community outreach and education with the Eastern Shore Area Health Education Center (ESAHEC). She has developed several impactful programs, including:
The Tooth Fairy’s Helper: Designed for children aged birth to seven and their families.
The Smile of a Lifetime Starts Now: A youth vaping prevention program.
Dental Careers Exploration: A hands-on program for high school students to increase interest in dental careers.
Caitlin also hosts continuing education events for dental professionals, further showcasing her passion for lifelong learning and teaching. She is continually energized by the connections she forms with individuals and communities and by the opportunity to make a lasting difference. For Caitlin, the key to staying inspired lies in balancing personal growth with professional impact, and she finds joy in every opportunity to share knowledge, foster growth, and contribute to the future of dentistry.
Caitlin Donohue-Vega exemplifies the values of compassion, innovation, and dedication that define excellence in dental hygiene. Her work not only enhances patient outcomes but also strengthens her community and inspires the next generation of dental professionals.
