Karen Baez, RDH

It is with great respect and humility that I submit my nomination for the Philips Heart to Hands Awards, in partnership with RDH Magazine. I truly believe I would represent this award with honor and gratitude.

I have been practicing dental hygiene for 35 years, with 17 of those years dedicated to the pediatric field. Throughout my career, I have always strived to fulfill the oath I made to uphold the core values of the dental hygiene profession and remain dedicated to providing compassionate, quality patient care—especially to children and families in underserved and low-income communities.

My commitment to community service has extended beyond the traditional dental setting. I have participated in home visits alongside an LPN, providing pregnant women and their children with oral hygiene instruction, guidance on proper home care, and education about healthy eating habits. These experiences allowed me to see firsthand the importance of prevention and education in improving the oral health of families.

I have also conducted dental screenings for children in preschools and elementary schools throughout Passaic, Bergen, Hudson, and Morris Counties. Working directly with children in these communities has reinforced my belief that early education and prevention can have a lifelong impact on a child's overall health and well-being.

Recognizing the need for accessible oral health education among children in low-income communities, I created an educational PowerPoint presentation specifically designed for preschool and elementary school children. The presentation focused on proper oral hygiene, home care, and healthy food choices, using age-appropriate information to help children understand the importance of taking care of their teeth.

I also created an educational PowerPoint presentation for mothers, focusing on how they can care for their children's oral health at home and encourage healthy nutritional habits. My goal has always been to empower parents with the knowledge and tools they need to become active participants in their children's oral health.

Through my years of public speaking, education, and community service, I was honored to be invited to participate in the Passaic Valley Head Start Health Services Advisory Committee meetings alongside healthcare professionals and community leaders. This experience allowed me to contribute my knowledge as a dental healthcare provider and advocate for the health needs of children and families.

My journey as a dental hygienist has been both humbling and rewarding. Every child I have educated, every family I have assisted, and every community I have served has reminded me why I chose this profession.

I have dedicated 35 years to caring for others, and I will continue to honor the true meaning of being a dental healthcare provider: serving with compassion, educating with purpose, advocating for those who need it most, and helping every patient understand that good oral health is an important part of overall health.

It would be an honor to represent the Philips Heart to Hands Awards and to share a message that has guided my career for more than three decades: when we educate, empower, and care for our communities, we can make a lasting difference—one smile at a time.