Alisha Hanoian, RDH, C-OMT

I have been a Registered Dental Hygienist since 2012 and have been fortunate to serve in a wide range of roles throughout my career. I began my journey in a periodontics practice in Providence, Rhode Island, where I worked full time and developed a deep appreciation for the importance of periodontal health. Starting my career in a specialty setting allowed me to build a strong clinical foundation, and I loved dedicating my time to such meaningful and impactful work. 

One of the most memorable moments of my early career involved a middle-aged patient who had been struggling for years with chronic periodontitis. His condition was not only affecting his oral health but also taking a toll on his systemic wellness. Together with my periodontist, we took a deeper look into his oral microbiome and how its imbalance was contributing to inflammation throughout his body. By addressing the root causes—not just the symptoms—we were able to guide him through a personalized treatment plan. Watching his periodontal status stabilize and seeing his systemic health improve in parallel was incredibly powerful. It reinforced my belief that what we do as dental professionals reaches far beyond the mouth; it can transform a person’s overall well-being. That experience shaped my passion for a whole-body, patient-centered approach to care. 

When I started my family, I transitioned to part-time work—a decision that allowed me to maintain balance while continuing to grow professionally. Each day in the operatory felt like an opportunity to serve my community, strengthen my skills, and build meaningful relationships with patients. 

During the pandemic, my family and I relocated to North Carolina. After settling in, I worked in a variety of practices as a temporary hygienist, which gave me the chance to learn about my new community and intentionally decide where I wanted to plant roots. I have always been holistically minded and strongly believe in the connection between oral health and whole-body wellness. By incredible good fortune, I discovered a holistically aligned dental office whose treatment philosophy mirrored my own. 

In addition to continuing part-time clinical hygiene, I chose to expand my skillset by pursuing certification in Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy. I now work alongside an airway-centric dentist, providing myofunctional therapy services to her patients as well as my own. This work has deepened my ability to support patients in ways that meaningfully impact their breathing, function, and overall quality of life. 

I truly believe that I am serving patients in a way that helps them thrive—not just dentally, but in their daily lives. This sense of purpose is profoundly fulfilling, and I am deeply grateful for my career as both a Dental Hygienist and a Myofunctional Therapist.