Melissa Stair, RDH, BS

For me, dental hygiene has always been about more than what we do. It’s about who we become while doing it. Every day, we have the privilege to change lives through something as simple as a smile. That privilege comes with the responsibility to never stop learning, growing, and lifting others along the way.

As the Director of Dental Hygiene for a large periodontal group in Arizona, I’ve made it my mission to elevate the standard of care hygienists deliver across our state. I lead a team of incredibly talented professionals who pour their hearts into their work, and I see my role as helping them reach their full potential; clinically, professionally, and personally.

Over the past 7 years, I’ve mentored dozens of hygienists, both within our organization and throughout Arizona. I’ve worked side by side with new graduates finding their confidence, mid-career hygienists looking to reignite their passion, and experienced clinicians transitioning into leadership. Through one-on-one coaching, calibration sessions, and collaborative learning environments, I help them grow beyond their comfort zones. Mentorship, to me, is about more than teaching techniques, it’s about inspiring purpose and pride in what we do.

Education has been a driving force throughout my career. I create and deliver lunch-and-learns in referring dental offices to strengthen the connection between general dentists and periodontists. These sessions build consistency in patient care and reinforce a unified message about oral-systemic health. I also present at study clubs, where I share emerging research, discuss treatment protocols, and encourage open dialogue between providers. These moments are where transformation happens. When hygienists realize their voice matters and that they can be an essential part of comprehensive patient care.

I’ve also dedicated time to mentoring the next generation of hygienists through partnerships with local colleges and by offering onboarding “boot camps” for new graduates. Watching their growth, from nervous beginners to confident clinicians, is one of the greatest rewards of my career. Seeing them thrive reminds me why I fell in love with this profession in the first place.

What I’ve learned is that leadership doesn’t come from a title. It comes from showing up with heart, consistently, authentically, and selflessly. Whether it’s calming an anxious patient, coaching a team member through a difficult day, or helping a doctor see the value of collaborative care, the real work happens in the quiet moments of connection.

At the end of the day, my goal is simple: to ensure that every hygienist I mentor feels empowered to elevate the level of care they provide, and to know that what they do matters deeply. Our hands may perform the procedures, but it’s our hearts that transform lives.

That’s what it means to lead from heart to hands.