Courtney Justice RDH

Courtney Justice embodies the true spirit of the Heart to Hands Award through her unwavering dedication to service, her passion for advancing the dental hygiene profession, and her commitment to ensuring that every individual has access to compassionate, quality oral health care.

Courtney’s impact extends far beyond her local community. She is deeply committed to advancing equality within the dental hygiene profession and believes in empowering hygienists to have a voice, access opportunities, and make a meaningful difference in the communities they serve. Her advocacy reaches beyond her own state as she supports fellow hygienists across the country in navigating legislative challenges and advancing initiatives that positively impact the profession. She understands that meaningful change requires collaboration, education, and the courage to advocate for a better future—not just for herself or her community, but for hygienists and patients nationwide.

What makes Courtney’s dedication especially powerful is that she puts her passion into action. Through her mobile dental van, she brings care and services directly to underserved schools and communities, as well as veterans and elderly individuals who may otherwise face barriers to accessing oral health care. Her commitment to meeting people where they are reflects a genuine understanding that access to dental care should not be determined by someone’s circumstances, age, or ability to seek care independently. She takes the mission of service beyond the dental office, bringing compassion, resources, and hope to those who need them most.

Courtney represents the heart of what dental hygiene is all about: caring for people, advocating for those whose voices may go unheard, and using our knowledge and skills to create meaningful change. Whether she is serving vulnerable populations through her mobile van, supporting hygienists in other states, or working toward greater equality and legislative progress, she demonstrates that one person’s dedication can have an impact far beyond their immediate surroundings.

Her work reflects a rare combination of compassion and advocacy. She not only recognizes the challenges facing patients and dental professionals but also takes meaningful steps to address them. She is helping build a profession that is more inclusive, empowered, and equipped to serve the needs of all communities.

It is an honor to nominate Courtney Justice for the Heart to Hands Award. She exemplifies what it means to lead with heart and serve through action. Her commitment to underserved populations, her advocacy for fellow hygienists nationwide, and her pursuit of equality and positive change make her a powerful example of the difference one dedicated dental hygienist can make. Courtney does more than care for her community—she works to strengthen an entire profession while ensuring that those who are too often overlooked are not forgotten. She is truly deserving of this recognition.