Kaila Mooney

When I think about what makes me love dental hygiene, I don't immediately think about teeth, instruments, or even the clinical skills I've spent years perfecting. I think about people. I think about the children who once walked into my operatory terrified and now run down the hallway excited to see me. I think about the patients who have never experienced compassionate dental care and the confidence they gain when someone takes the time to listen. I think about the communities I have served, the relationships I have built, and the countless moments that have reminded me why I chose this profession. Dental hygiene has given me far more than a career. It has given me purpose.

My passion for dental hygiene has always extended beyond the walls of a traditional dental office. I had the privilege of working on the Ronald McDonald Care Mobile for two years, providing dental care to underserved children in public schools and communities where access to care was limited. Those experiences forever changed my perspective. I witnessed firsthand how something as simple as a cleaning, preventive education, or a compassionate interaction could make a tremendous difference in a child’s life. Public health remains one of my greatest passions because it allows me to reach people who might otherwise go without care. Volunteering and serving my community recharge me. They remind me that the greatest rewards in this profession cannot be measured in productivity or production numbers, but in the lives we touch.

While volunteering at a community event, I had the opportunity to treat a teenager who had never received a professional dental cleaning. They presented with significant calculus and stain buildup and gingival inflammation. After completing their cleaning, I handed them a mirror. The expression that followed is something I will never forget. Their face lit up with the biggest, most genuine smile. They wrapped their arms around me in a hug that spoke louder than any words could have. In that moment, I wasn't simply removing calculus. I was helping someone rediscover their confidence. Experiences like that are why I will never stop advocating for accessible dental care.

Working in pediatric dentistry has brought an entirely different kind of joy to my career. There is something incredibly rewarding about earning the trust of a child who is afraid of the dentist. I love watching their confidence grow from appointment to appointment until the dental office becomes a place they genuinely enjoy visiting. Some children need extra reassurance, some need a little creativity, and others simply need someone willing to slow down and listen. Every child deserves to feel safe, respected, and understood, and being part of the reason they develop a positive relationship with dental care is something I never take for granted.

Perhaps one of the most rewarding parts of my career has been working with patients who have special healthcare needs. These patients have taught me more about patience, compassion, and celebrating the smallest victories than any textbook ever could. I've learned that the key is meeting each patient exactly where they are, without expectations or pressure. Sometimes that means the first appointment consists of nothing more than a toothbrush prophy while sitting on the floor. And that's okay! That appointment is still a success. Maybe the next visit they're willing to sit in the dental chair, and the visit after that they allow us to use the suction or polish a few teeth. We celebrate every single milestone because each one represents progress, trust, and growing confidence. Over time, those small victories can become something extraordinary. A child who once couldn't tolerate a dental examination may eventually complete an entire cleaning, radiographs, and even restorative treatment without sedation. Watching that transformation is one of my absolute favorite things about being a dental hygienist. It's a reminder that when we adapt our approach to the patient instead of expecting the patient to adapt to us, incredible things can happen.

One of the things I love most about dental hygiene is that there is no limit to the impact we can make. We are so much more than clinicians who clean teeth. We are educators, advocates, mentors, problem-solvers, and often a source of comfort during vulnerable moments. Our profession gives us the opportunity to recognize needs, build relationships, and empower patients to take ownership of their health. It also challenges us to continue learning, growing, and finding new ways to serve.

After more than a decade in dental hygiene, I can confidently say that my passion for this profession is stronger than ever. It has taken me into communities I might never have visited, introduced me to people who have forever changed my perspective, and challenged me to grow in ways I never imagined. But when I look back, the moments I treasure most aren't defined by clinical accomplishments or professional recognition. They're the teenager seeing their clean smile for the first time, the child who finally sits in the dental chair without fear, and the parent who never imagined their child could receive dental treatment without sedation. Those are the moments that stay with me.

I love dental hygiene because every day offers another opportunity to make a difference in someone's life. Sometimes that difference is life-changing, and sometimes it's a small victory that only the patient and I recognize. Both are equally meaningful. And after all these years, there is still nothing I'd rather be doing.