Lisa Huitron, MS (C), BSDH, RDH, RDA

What makes me love dental hygiene is how it connects my heart for people with the science of prevention and the power to create change. My journey in dentistry began more than twenty years ago as a Registered Dental Assistant. At the time, I loved helping patients and supporting clinical care, but I always felt drawn to do more. I wanted to educate, to advocate, and to make a deeper impact in people’s lives. Pursuing dental hygiene was one of the most meaningful decisions I have ever made because it allowed me to blend compassion, education, and empowerment into every aspect of my work. 

As a dental hygienist, I have learned that our profession extends far beyond scaling teeth. Each appointment is an opportunity to connect, listen, and empower patients to take charge of their oral and overall health. I love those moments when a patient finally understands the “why” behind their care, when they realize that their mouth is connected to the rest of their body. I have had patients who decided to quit vaping after we talked about how it affects their gums and healing, and I have seen confidence return to people who once hid their smiles. These experiences remind me that what we do changes lives in ways that cannot always be measured by charts or indices. 

My love for dental hygiene has only deepened through leadership and advocacy. Serving with the California Dental Hygienists’ Association (CDHA) and the American Dental Hygienists’ Association (ADHA) has opened doors to help shape the future of our profession. Whether mentoring students, organizing community outreach events, or advocating for policy that expands access to care, I have seen how powerful our collective voice can be. Dental hygienists are essential partners in public health. We are educators, advocates, and leaders in prevention. 

Through my work with CDHA’s Student Relations Council and my involvement in professional development events, I have had the privilege to encourage students and new graduates to find their “why.” Watching them discover their passion and purpose in this field reminds me why I continue to serve. Leadership in dental hygiene is not about titles. It is about lifting others, creating opportunity, and building a stronger and more unified profession. 

Now, as a graduate student at the University of Southern California pursuing a Master of Science in Community Oral Health, I am expanding that purpose even further. My current project focuses on vaping prevention among young adults, blending evidence-based health behavior theory with practical outreach strategies. This initiative reflects everything I love about dental hygiene. It is prevention in action, rooted in education, empathy, and empowerment. 

Dental hygiene has given me purpose, direction, and a community that feels like family. It is the intersection where science meets service and where compassion transforms into impact. Each patient, student, and colleague I encounter reminds me that our work matters. 

I love dental hygiene because it allows me to live out my core belief that caring for others can create ripples of change far beyond the dental chair. I am, and always will be, rooted in care and rising in purpose. 💜