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Explore the exceptional stories from dental hygienists who have already submitted their remarkable journeys for the Philips Heart to Hands Award. Their stories are a testament to the incredible impact hygienists can have on their patients and communities. These individuals have shared their passion, dedication, and the heartwarming moments that define their careers.
We encourage you to be a part of this inspiring community and share your story.
Whether you've provided outstanding patient care, contributed to your community, or excelled in dental hygiene education, your unique experiences deserve recognition.
By submitting your one-minute video, you not only have the chance to win amazing prizes but also inspire others with your heartfelt journey.
Your story matters, and we can't wait to celebrate your dedication to dental hygiene. Join us and showcase your heart and hands in action.
Kaylie Verdin, BHS-RDH
When asked, “What makes you love dental hygiene?” I can visualize hundreds of patient interactions that give life to my answer. Put simply, I love dental hygiene because it has helped me find my purpose in helping others. As a child and into early adulthood, I longed for a career that allowed me to make a difference in people’s lives. I explored various professions, but none fulfilled me the way dentistry did. My journey in dentistry began in 2017 as a dental assistant. I imm
Alicia Lovato, RDH, BSDH
There is nothing like the love between sisters. My sister, Alicia Lovatos, RDH, is my co-hygienist. She is the Robin to my Batman. We are partners in the fight against oral health diseases in low-income communities. I am a dental hygienist known for my work in community outreach and service, but who has always been by my side, my sister, and the most pivotal dental hygienist in my life. Alicia and I serve patients together at a non-profit dental clinic providing care to peop
Lacy Walker, RDH, CDA, FAADH, FAAOSH
Lacy Walker, RDH, CDA, FAADH, FAAOSH December 2025 Heart to Hands A single patient 10 years ago changed the course of my career. She presented with advanced periodontal disease, uncontrolled diabetes, and hypertension. When she later experienced a miscarriage, I was heartbroken and it motivated me to search for answers. Salivary diagnostics revealed all eleven pathogenic periodontal bacteria, and for the first time, I truly understood that what happens in the mouth does not s
Brittany Glauz, BSDH, RDHAP
The moments that inspire me most are when hygienists choose to speak up for our patients and for our profession. Being involved beyond the operatory through volunteering and advocacy has shaped who I am as a provider, and I am honored to have received the 2023 Award of Distinction and the 2024 World Hygienist Award. These experiences reflect what has always been at the heart of my work: prevention and advocacy. One of the most eye opening experiences of my career was attendi
Carol Rykiel, BSRDH, MS
The motivation behind my passion for dental hygiene stems from a profound commitment to providing high-quality oral health care to homeless individuals in Colorado. As I approach my 32nd year as a career dental hygienist, I am driven by the opportunity to contribute meaningfully to the well-being of this vulnerable population. For over eleven years, I have worked with the Colorado Coalition for the Homeless, which delivers an array of services—including medical, dental, visio
Linda Wilson, RDH CNA
Why I love dental hygiene-Linda Wilson RDH CNA My name is Linda Wilson. I have been a registered dental hygienist since I was 19 years old. I felt drawn to a career in dentistry and practiced full time for 35 years. While not every day was lovable, I have been committed to my patients and colleagues. I practiced in the same office for 29 of the 35 full time years so it was easy to be committed to my patients. I spent many years in leadership of our local, state and national d
Crystal Spring, RDH, BS, LAP, FADHA
My name is Crystal Spring, and my passion for dental hygiene began long before I ever chose it as a career. I grew up in the northeastern corner of Montana on the Fort Peck Indian Reservation, where many of my family members, friends, neighbors, and community lived without consistent access to dental care. Pain, cavities, and tooth loss were common, not because people didn’t care about their health, but because care was often inaccessible. Watching people I loved go without d
Irene Iancu, Bs.c, CTDP, OM, RRDH
After 19 years as a dental hygienist, this is the first time I’m stepping forward to nominate myself. It’s 5:59 p.m. on December 31, 2025, and as I reflect on this year, I realize I have many highlights, and my journey has led me to help people in ways I didn’t know were possible. In 2020, I opened my own practice in the midst of a global pandemic, grew from three employees to a team of 14, and reached over $1.4 million in revenue as a practice, outperforming many established
Susan Cotten, BSDH, RDH, OMT
What I love most about being a dental hygienist is the relationships we form with patients and colleagues, and the impact those relationships can have in improved patient care and health outcomes. Fifteen years ago, my patient who was an HPV oropharyngeal cancer and cervical cancer survivor, sat in my operatory crying. She was going to a good friend’s wedding that weekend and all she wanted was to be able to go to the wedding, smile and laugh out loud, just like everyone else
Rosenberg Delgado, RDH, AP, BSDH
What Makes Me Love Dental Hygiene Rosenberg Delgado, RDH, AP, BSDH Dental hygiene was not always part of my plan, but it has become one of the most meaningful parts of my life. Right after high school, I enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. Serving in the military taught me discipline, teamwork, and the importance of showing up for others. When my time in uniform came to an end, I knew I wanted a career that still centered on service, just in a different way. I wanted
Sasha Bryan, RDH
Heart to Hands Award Nomination Nominee: Sasha Bryan, RDH Excellence in the dental hygiene profession is about more than clinical skill alone — it also requires strong leadership, clear communication, and a genuine commitment to patient-centered care. Sasha Bryan, RDH, a practicing hygienist at Aspen Dental, brings all of these elements together in her work each day. Her impact reaches beyond her own operatory, influencing the colleagues she mentors and, ultimately, the patie
An Chih Do, RDH, MEd, FADHA
An Chih “Angela” Do, RDH, MEd, FADHA Heart to Hands Award 2026 Submission I’m here to break the stereotype of pediatric care because children deserve more than to be seen as “easy visits” or “quick polishing.” I have scaled a 2-year-old, performed subgingival scaling on a 4-year-old, and used an ultrasonic on a 6-year-old. I’ve seen periodontal disease in 11-year-olds and work with teens navigating braces, risky internet trends, and depression while learning responsibility
Mandy McGill, RDHP
What makes me love dental hygiene? The moments that inspire me What inspires me most as a dental hygienist is the people I meet along the way and the moments when individuals feel supported and motivated to care for their oral health, whether in a clinical setting or within the community. I am inspired when patients begin to understand how daily habits and preventive care can positively influence their health and quality of life. Some of the most meaningful moments happen
Florie Mancilla, BS, RDH, RDA
Esteemed heart to hands submission committee members: Hello, I’m Florie Mancilla a diverse dental hygienist entering my 15 th year journey into hygiene. When I saw the message in my inbox about entering the heart to hands submission, I thought ME?? So before I cut myself short, I thought about the robust experiences I have taken part in throughout my career. What initially led me to dentistry was my mother’s fear of the dentist, she made my visits pleasant and I wanted to p
Angela- MSCIN, BAAS, RDH and Raquel Rico- MEd, RDH
Dear Philips Heart to Hands Selection Committee, On October 27, 2025, a nomination for the Philips Heart to Hands Award was submitted on our behalf by our Dean of Health Sciences. As a follow-up, we respectfully submit this supplemental information in response to the question: “What makes US (Raquel & Angela) love dental hygiene?” This submission is meaningful not only to us, but also to our dean, as it reflects our dedication to our community, and strong commitment we have
Dorothy Ferreira, MSDH, RDH
I started in dental hygiene school 40 years ago. Over the years, I have worked in a variety of practices and environments. I have loved my role as a dental hygienist and the experiences it has provided for me. When you ask what inspires me, the first thing that comes to mind is the people I have treated over the years. Having a part in improving their oral, physical, and yes, even mental health keeps me committed to this profession. Volunteering with organizations that provid
Sara Swift, RDH, BSDH, OMT, DISIPC
Dear Philips and RDH mag representatives, Sara Swift is one of those hygienists who brings a calm into the room without announcing it. Steady. Grounded. All heart, no performance. She cares fiercely about her patients, and her entire professional life has been shaped by a sense of responsibility. By protecting people, serving them well, and uplifting others up, even when no one is watching. Especially when no one is watching. She has never chased recognition, but I see her
Bethany Montoya, MBA, BAS, RDH
Philips Heart to Hands Award Nomination Nominee: Bethany Montoya, MBA, BAS, RDHNominated by: Aleah Diemand, RDH, BSDH, FADHA, Dental Student Dear Philips and RDH Magazine Representatives, Some dental hygienists stretch the boundaries of our profession, widen its reach, and make room for more people to belong, learn, and be protected. This is Bethany Montoya. She does not simply do dental hygiene. She advances it. She carries it into classrooms, onto stages, into editorial
Carissa Regnerus, RDH MA FADHA
Dear Nomination Committee, Below is my humble submission for the Heart to Hands Award. Being surrounded by so many compassionate, accomplished hygienists across the country who inspire me everyday, it feels a bit strange to nominate myself- but the spirit of this award is about courage, connection, and honoring the quiet work we do every day. So, I share my story with gratitude and hope. My work in dental hygiene has never been about procedures- it has always been about peopl
Kristen Fisher, BScDH, RDH
My name is Kirsten and I have been practicing dental hygiene for the last 14 years, and with every passing year, my love and dedication for the field grows. Growing up, my mother was a dental assistant. She would take me to work with her when I was young, and I was fascinated with every aspect of her job. From taking x-rays, taking impressions for people and even sterilizing instruments and cleaning rooms. I loved going to the dentist with my friends and helping them choose t
Felicity DeLemos, BSDH, RDH
What I love most about dental hygiene are the moments when it becomes more than teeth and instruments. The moments when a patient feels truly seen, heard, and safe. I believe trust is the foundation of great care, and I always try to meet every patient with empathy, putting myself in their shoes and providing care as if I were the one sitting in the chair. Understanding that no two patients are the same, and taking the time to listen, is what allows genuine connection to happ
Mimi Truong, RDH
It is with great pleasure and deep honor that I nominate Mimi Truong for the Phillips Heart to Hands Award , an award that recognizes dental hygienists whose compassion, dedication, and service extend far beyond clinical excellence to make a meaningful and lasting impact on their patients and communities. Mimi Truong embodies the true spirit of this award through her inspiring personal journey, her unwavering commitment to oral health education, and her lifelong dedication t
Lindsey Vizcay, BSDH, RDHAP, RDH, RDAEF2
Dear Philips and RDH mag representatives, There are some dental hygienists who practice with skill and then there are some who quietly re-engineer the entire idea of access. Lindsey Vizcay is doing both. And she’s doing it with a steadiness and sincerity that stops most in their tracks. I am nominating Lindsey for the Philips Heart to Hands Award because she lives at the exact intersection this award was created to honor: heart-driven purpose paired with hands-on, barrier-b
Valerie Long, DM, PMC, MSDH, RDH , BSDH, CDA
What has made me love dental hygiene for the past 33 years as a professional Navajo RDH? Of those years, 11 were in private practice, and 22 years I have been serving the Navajo (Dine') community through Tsehootsooi Medical Center Dental Clinic on the Navajo (Dine`) Nation Reservation. As a clinical RDH for 100% of my professional career, I have had multiple community outreach opportunities, serving as a coordinator for Give Kids A Smile (GKAS) events over the past 5 years wh
Marcy Foreman, RDH, BS
Dear Philips and RDH mag representatives, There are people in this profession who are excellent clinicians. And then there are people who fundamentally change where and how dental hygiene shows up in the world. Marcy Foreman is just that. She doesn’t just practice dental hygiene. She carries it. She brings it with her, into senior centers, shelters, recovery programs, assisted living facilities, prisons, schools, and homes where patients quite literally cannot get to care
Dawn Buju, BSDH, RDH, MS EHRD-WALE (c)
What Makes Me Love Dental Hygiene I have been a practicing dental hygienist for more than two decades, and what I love most about this profession is that it allows me to work at the intersection of science, prevention, and human connection. Dental hygiene is not just about teeth—it is about trust, education, and the quiet, powerful impact of prevention delivered one patient at a time.In clinical practice, I have learned that no two patients are ever the same. Each appointmen
Christine Brautzsch, LDH
To whom this my concern, Sophomore year of high school I knew I wanted to be a dental hygienist. When I initially applied for a dental hygiene program I was devastated to not be accepted. I then decided to go to dental assisting school. I worked in an office for 6 years , and decided that my true passion was still dental hygiene. Retook classes and re-applied. I finally graduated with my official LDH in 2016. During my college courses I was highly focused on periodontal dise
Amanda Romero, RDH
I have been a dental hygienist for over a decade. At the start of this year, I left my long-term job in private practice to become a mobile, school-based dental hygienist. I am now the happiest I have been in this profession. Mobile hygiene is hard. The days are long. I spend several hours a week driving across the state. I carry around heavy equipment. There are a lot of logistics involved that rarely run according to plan. Despite the many challenges, I inevitably
Chantel Leezer, RDH
I did not know what I wanted to do when I grew up. After graduating high school in 1995, I visited Fayetteville Technical Community College with my mom and made a simple promise: I would give college one year. I did not want to just take general classes with nothing to show for it, so we met with a guidance counselor to talk about career options. During that meeting, the counselor paused, made a phone call, hung up, and said, “You just got the last dental assisting slot for t
Robyn Mills, RDH, MSDH, CTTS, FADHA, CPIPC
I did not come to dental hygiene by accident, nor did I come to it simply looking for a profession; I came to it because it is where compassion, science, and human connection intersect in ways that feel deeply meaningful to me. I came carrying a story shaped by family, loss, and the realization that early detection can mean the difference between hope and heartbreak. Long before I ever taught a student or stepped into a leadership role, I watched someone I loved face oral can
Michael Arusa, RDH
I grew up in the Philippines, where regular dental care was not accessible to my family due to financial limitations. Dental visits were not a routine part of life but something only sought in emergencies. As a result, oral health often took a back seat, not because it wasn’t important, but because it simply wasn’t affordable. Growing up in that environment gave me an early understanding of how closely oral health is tied to overall well-being, confidence, and quality of life
Mary Ann Pedersen, RDH, M.A.
December 17, 2025 Dear Philips and RDH 2026 Committee, When I saw this opportunity to nominate a fellow dental hygiene educator for the Heart to Hand Award, I immediately thought of Professor Mary Ann Pedersen, RDH, M.A. Professor Pedersen shines a brilliant light that positively impacts our students and the community we serve. Through Mary Ann's passion for developing the next generation of dental care providers, she has instilled in them the compassion to positively impact
Kami Burgess, LDH, BS, MSOL
What Makes Me Love Dental Hygiene – Kami Burgess LDH, BS, MSOL My love for dental hygiene began long before I entered the profession. Growing up, my grandparents—especially my grandmothers— both lost their teeth at a very young age, requiring full dentures in their early twenties. Oral health education was not something they had access to, and while they were never able to explain how to care for teeth, they always emphasized how important it was to keep them. That messag
Anna Hancock, RDH
“What Makes You Love Dental Hygiene?” From the moment I began my journey into dentistry, I knew I had found a profession that felt deeply aligned with who I am. Dental hygiene is where my compassion, my curiosity, and my desire to help others meet in a meaningful way. What makes me love dental hygiene goes far beyond the daily routine. It is the privilege of earning trust, easing fears, and making a lasting difference in someone’s life. When I chose this field, I was drawn to
Kia Uddin, CRDH, EFDA
11/13/2025 Dental hygiene didn’t just become my career; it became my purpose. It is the one place in my life where compassion, science, and human connection come together so perfectly that I feel exactly where I’m meant to be. My love for dental hygiene was not sparked by a single moment but shaped by countless small ones, the fragile, honest moments between a clinician and a patient that remind me that what we do matters far more than we sometimes realize. My journey began
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