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 for their oral health. I treat patients in their 20s and 30s with conditions like autism or cerebral palsy who require care other offices cannot provide. Pediatric dental hygiene is multifaceted, challenging, and deeply rewarding, and that is why I love what I do. 

I never received regular dental care as a child. My parents were raised in Taiwan, and when we immigrated to the United States at age three, preventive care wasn’t emphasized as it is here. I didn’t know what a hygienist was until I was 19, working as an intern in a pediatric dental office. That experience opened my eyes and set me on the path to becoming an RDA and eventually a hygienist. 

As an RDA, I helped care for a 10-year-old boy with gingival inflammation and heavy calculus. A month later, he returned for a complimentary hygiene check. As I reviewed oral hygiene instructions with him, he looked at me and said, “I wish someone had told me that sooner. I would’ve done it.” That moment sparked my purpose: I wanted to be the person who tells them sooner. 

In hygiene school, I wanted to go into perio, but pediatrics kept calling me back. Classmates often asked me for guidance when unsure how to treat children, and it continued after graduation, with colleagues still reaching out for advice. That trust reinforced that this work is where I am meant to be. 

For over 20 years as an RDA and RDH, I’ve cared for children of all ages, teens transitioning to adulthood, medically complex patients, children with disabilities, and foster care patients. Some foster care children have ADHD, depression, bipolar disorder, or hypothyroidism, sometimes all at once. Some face restrictions, such as not being allowed to have floss because it is considered a luxury item or may be stolen during conflicts. These realities directly affect oral health and behavior in the chair, and navigating them requires understanding, flexibility, and advocacy. 

One of my most meaningful patients was medically complex with limited speech. For years, he would only say the dentist’s name. Then one day, after consistent care and trust-building, he said MY name. It wasn’t just a word; it was connection, safety, and proof that dentistry can be deeply meaningful. 

I continue to advocate beyond the operatory by developing pediatric-focused CE courses, writing articles for RDH publications, being on dental podcasts, and sharing on my social media (@ThePediatricRDH) to empower hygienists. Pediatric dental hygiene shapes how children feel about dentistry for the rest of their lives. Being trusted to guide children, support families, and build healthier futures is why I truly love dental hygiene.