With heartfelt enthusiasm, I am honored to nominate myself for the Philips Heart to Hands Award, sharing my journey as a dental hygienist driven by a deep commitment to creating meaningful connections and delivering compassionate care. My passion lies in ensuring that even the most underserved patients feel seen, valued, and have access to the dental services they deserve. With 13 years of experience in this field, I am a proud wife and mother of two (soon to be three, as we’re expecting our third child in January). My journey to becoming a dental hygienist was anything but conventional. I initially attended college and earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Management with a minor in Communications, which led me to a career in sales. While I found success in that field, I felt a growing desire for a greater purpose—one centered on service and making a meaningful difference in people’s lives. This longing ignited my decision to pivot and pursue a career in dental hygiene. Once I entered hygiene school, I never looked back. Since then, I have embraced every opportunity to further my education and expand my skills, earning advanced licenses such as an RDAEF2 and then ultimately becoming an RDHAP. This path has not only enriched my life but also allowed me to establish Home Sweet Hygiene, a mobile dental hygiene practice built on compassion and accessibility. I believe dental hygiene is about more than just oral health - it's about bridging gaps in access to care and creating lasting relationships with patients who often feel overlooked.
My mobile practice allows me to bring care directly to children, individuals with special needs, and elderly patients who might otherwise go without essential dental services. This includes traveling to patients' homes, schools, and nursing facilities to provide care. The moments that inspire me most are when I see a patient's smile light up —not just from cleaner teeth but from the joy of knowing someone cared enough to come to them. A particularly memorable moment was with a young boy at a Head Start preschool. He was nervous, having never been to a dentist before, but through patience, humor, and a gentle approach, we turned his first dental cleaning into an enjoyable experience. By the end, he was giggling and proudly showing off his "shiny" teeth. His parents, both working full-time and unable to take time off work for financial reasons, were deeply grateful for the ease and accessibility our services provided. Moments like these affirm my belief that everyone deserves access to quality care, regardless of their circumstances.
Working with special needs patients has also been incredibly fulfilling. Many families have shared stories of past dental visits filled with fear or refusal to sit in the chair. In these situations, I draw on both my training and my empathy to adapt my approach—using sensory-friendly tools, allowing extra time for desensitization, and ensuring the patient feels in control of the experience. One adult patient with autism, who initially refused care, now greets me with a smile and high-five at every visit. This
transformation, built on trust and patience, is one of the most gratifying parts of my work.
My work with elderly patients, many of whom are homebound or in group homes, has further deepened my perspective on the power of compassionate dental care. For this population, oral health is often neglected, leading to pain, malnutrition, and a reduced quality of life. Providing dental services, whether it's a routine cleaning or alleviating discomfort, is about restoring dignity and well-being. One elderly patient, after a routine cleaning, tearfully told me, “I never thought anyone would care about my teeth again.” Her words continue to inspire my mission to serve those who feel forgotten.
What keeps me inspired is knowing that my work has a tangible impact. Through partnerships with local nonprofits, libraries, Head Start programs, and regional centers, I’ve been able to extend care to underserved communities at limited cost to the patient. Home Sweet Hygiene is not just a business; it’s a mission to bridge the gaps in access to care. I recognize how unique this opportunity is, as not all states allow dental hygienists the autonomy to practice in this way. It is a privilege to be able to bring care directly to those in need, knowing that my work fills a critical gap in access to oral health services.
In my practice, I blend clinical care with advocacy, education, and outreach. Designing programs tailored to special needs students, coordinating events where children receive their first dental care, and providing free screenings and fluoride treatments are just a few examples of how I strive to make a meaningful impact. Thanks to the support of local grants and community partnerships, I’ve been able to create programs that foster healthier smiles and ensure access to care for those who need it most.
Dental hygiene is more than a profession to me—it’s a calling, a way to serve my community with kindness and integrity. I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to make a difference, one patient and one smile at a time. To be recognized for the Philips Heart to Hands Award would be an incredible honor, and I’m excited to continue making an impact in my community and beyond.