Kami Burgess, LDH, BS, MSOL

What Makes Me Love Dental Hygiene – Kami Burgess LDH, BS, MSOL

My love for dental hygiene began long before I entered the profession. Growing up, my grandparents—especially my grandmothers— both lost their teeth at a very young age, requiring full dentures in their early twenties. Oral health education was not something they had access to, and while they were never able to explain how to care for teeth, they always emphasized how important it was to keep them. That message stayed with me and quietly planted the seed that prevention and education truly matter.

I have now spent over 20 years as a dental hygienist, and my career has taken me through a variety of practice settings, beginning as a temp hygienist and later working in both corporate dentistry and private practice. Those experiences shaped my adaptability and reinforced the importance of meeting patients where they are. Dental hygiene is not just about clinical skills—it is about trust, communication, and empowering patients with knowledge they may never have received.

What I love most about dental hygiene is the ability to change a patient’s story. Many patients come in fearful, embarrassed, or disconnected from their oral health. When education and compassion replace fear, real change can happen. Some of the most meaningful moments in my career have been watching patients gain confidence and believe that they can keep their teeth—often breaking cycles that have existed in families for generations.

As my career evolved, I discovered a passion for teaching and mentoring. Working with students in dental hygiene and dental assisting programs has been incredibly rewarding. Helping students build confidence, develop critical thinking skills, and understand the why behind what we do allows me to extend my impact beyond the operatory. Education, whether with patients or students, is at the heart of my work.

I am also honored to serve as the president-elect of my local Dental Hygiene Association. Advocacy is deeply important to me, and I believe strongly in speaking up for our patients, our profession, and the standard of care we provide. Being part of a community of hygienists committed to improving care, building trust, and creating welcoming, learning-centered environments strengthens both our profession and those we serve.

One of the ways I continue to fill my tank and reconnect with the heart of dental hygiene is through mission dentistry. I love taking students to the Caribbean, where I work alongside other dental professionals to provide care to underserved populations who would otherwise never receive dental treatment. Sharing these experiences with students—while witnessing the gratitude, resilience, and humanity of our patients—is profoundly grounding. It reminds me why service matters and renews my passion to keep giving, teaching, and advocating.

Dental hygiene represents prevention, advocacy, and lifelong learning. It allows me to honor my family’s experiences while helping ensure future generations have better education, better care, and better outcomes. After two decades in this profession, my passion for dental hygiene continues to grow because it gives me the opportunity to serve—with skill, with purpose, and with heart.