Jerry RDH

Heart to Hands Award Nomination

Nominee: Jerry RDH

I want to nominate Jerry RDH for the Heart to Hands Award because I genuinely think he’s made a bigger impact on the dental hygiene community than he probably even realizes.

As a fellow hygienist, I think we can all agree that this profession can be A LOT sometimes. Between difficult patients, crazy schedules, office drama, patients who swear they floss every day (but we know better), and trying to stay on time while doing a million things at once, some days really test your patience. We love what we do, but that doesn’t mean we don’t occasionally question our career choices!

That’s where Jerry comes in.

If you’ve ever watched his videos, you know exactly what I’m talking about. His humor is absolutely ridiculous in the best way possible. The characters, the facial expressions, the dramatic reactions, and the situations he comes up with are so painfully accurate that you can’t help but laugh. Sometimes I wonder if he’s secretly recording what happens in our office because the scenarios are THAT relatable.

What I appreciate most about Jerry is that he takes the frustrating parts of our jobs and turns them into something funny. I’ve had days where I’m completely exhausted, annoyed, or just over it, and then one of his videos pops up and suddenly I’m laughing about the same things that were driving me crazy earlier.

And reading the comments, it’s obvious I’m not the only one who feels this way.

There’s something really comforting about knowing other hygienists are dealing with the same nonsense you are. Sometimes you just need someone to remind you that you’re not alone and that it’s okay to laugh at how ridiculous our jobs can be.

I think that’s what makes Jerry so special. He’s created this community where dental professionals can come together, laugh, vent a little, and feel understood. And he does it without taking himself too seriously.

He’s also not afraid to make a complete fool of himself for a good laugh, which honestly makes his content even better. Whether he’s dressed up as some outrageous character or acting out an awkward patient interaction, you can tell he puts a lot of creativity and effort into what he does.

And while most of us follow him for the laughs, there’s actually something pretty meaningful behind it all.

Burnout is real in dental hygiene. The physical demands, mental exhaustion, and everyday pressures can really wear you down. Having someone who can consistently bring humor and positivity into our profession is something I don’t think gets enough recognition.

Jerry has found a way to make hygienists feel seen, appreciated, and connected. He reminds us that even though our jobs can be stressful, there are still plenty of reasons to laugh.

I also love that his videos give people outside of dentistry a glimpse into what we deal with every day, while making dental hygiene entertaining and approachable.

When I think about someone making a difference in our profession, I don’t think it always has to be through traditional avenues. Sometimes making someone’s day better, helping them laugh when they’re stressed, or reminding them why they love their career can be just as meaningful.

Jerry might not realize how many hygienists he’s helped get through a rough day simply by posting a funny video, but I guarantee it’s more than he knows.

We spend our days taking care of our patients, and in his own hilarious way, Jerry helps take care of us.

That’s why I think he deserves the Heart to Hands Award. Not just for being funny, but for bringing our profession together and reminding us that sometimes the best way to get through a crazy day in dental hygiene is to laugh about it.