From Heart to Hands: Empowering Smiles Through Education and Care
My love for dental hygiene started with a humbling and life-changing moment. When my parents were finally able to get us dental insurance, I was thrilled about my first appointment. I walked in
thinking my teeth were perfect, only to learn I had nine cavities. It was embarrassing, but what stood out most wasn’t the diagnosis—it was my dentist. She looked like me and took the time to
educate me and my parents instead of judging us. She explained how I could care for my teeth in a way that made me feel capable and motivated. That experience changed my life. I put aside my dream of becoming a baker and proudly declared, “When I grow up, I want to be just like her.”
One of the most memorable moments in my career brought that experience full circle. I met a 12-year-old girl at her first-ever dental appointment. I was running a little behind, but instead of rushing, I took the time to connect with her. I asked her about her favorite hobbies and gently walked her through the process while joking to help her relax. Slowly but surely, I gained her trust, and her nerves faded.
As we talked, I recognized so much of my younger self in her. I explained her oral health using intraoral photos, taught her proper brushing and flossing techniques, and discussed how her eating habits affected her oral health. By the end of her appointment, she wasn’t just smiling—she was glowing with pride and excited to improve her dental health. That moment reminded me why I chose this field.
Over time, I began to see an even bigger picture. In hygiene school and throughout my career, I had countless conversations with mothers who didn’t know how oral health affects their babies and their overall health during pregnancy. Many avoided dental care altogether, believing it wasn’t safe, not knowing that untreated gum disease or decay could lead to complications for themselves and their babies. These encounters made me realize the need for more education and access, especially for underserved communities. That’s when I decided to take the next step: becoming a public health dental hygiene practitioner.
This role gave me the tools to serve not just individuals but entire communities. It also led me to establish Nurturing Smiles, a nonprofit dedicated to breaking down barriers to care. Through our initiatives and mobile services, we’re creating spaces where oral health is accessible, approachable, and empowering for families, especially mothers and children. Some of our programs include:
● Free Sealant Saturdays: A quarterly program offering children preventive dental care,
such as sealants and fluoride treatments, in schools and community clinics.
● Love Mothers Initiative: A program that educates expecting and new mothers on how
oral health during pregnancy impacts both the baby’s development and the mother’s
overall health, potentially reducing risks to the pregnancy.
● The Dental Plate: A summer initiative offering nutritional counseling and nutritious meals to school-age children, emphasizing how healthy eating supports both oral and overall health.
These programs, combined with our mobile clinic services, ensure that preventive care and education reach those who need it most, especially in underserved areas.
Dental hygiene is my passion because it allows me to educate, empower, and transform lives.
It’s about more than just providing dental services; it’s about building trust, correcting
misconceptions, and giving people the confidence to smile proudly. Through Nurturing Smiles, we’re working to bridge gaps in care and create healthier, more informed smiles, one patient at a time.