Mimi Truong, RDH

It is with great pleasure and deep honor that I nominate Mimi Truong for the Phillips Heart to Hands Award, an award that recognizes dental hygienists whose compassion, dedication, and service extend far beyond clinical excellence to make a meaningful and lasting impact on their patients and communities. Mimi Truong embodies the true spirit of this award through her inspiring personal journey, her unwavering commitment to oral health education, and her lifelong dedication to serving others with empathy and integrity.

Mimi’s passion for dental hygiene is profoundly rooted in her life experiences. After escaping Vietnam under extremely dangerous circumstances, Mimi arrived in a new country empty-handed after multiple perilous attempts by boat. Like many refugees, she faced tremendous challenges, including cultural barriers, limited resources, and uncertainty about her future. Despite these obstacles, Mimi carried with her a strong determination to build a better life through perseverance, education, and service.

As a young adult, Mimi experienced professional dental care for the first time at the age of 20, when she required scaling and root planing. This experience was transformative. For the first time, she understood the importance of oral health and witnessed firsthand the powerful impact that compassionate, patient-centered dental care can have on an individual’s overall well-being. The kindness, professionalism, and care she received during that pivotal appointment left a lasting impression on her and ultimately inspired her to pursue a career in dental hygiene.

Through years of hard work, determination, and a genuine desire to help others, Mimi achieved her goal of becoming a Registered Dental Hygienist. In her professional role, she consistently approaches patient care with empathy, patience, and understanding. She is especially attuned to patients who feel anxious, underserved, or unfamiliar with dental care—individuals whose experiences often mirror her own early encounters with dentistry. Mimi has a unique ability to connect with patients on a personal level, helping them feel safe, heard, and empowered. Her dedication to patient education reflects her belief that knowledge and compassion can transform lives and promote long-term oral and systemic health.

Mimi’s commitment to service extends far beyond the walls of the dental operatory. For the past ten years, she has served as a board member of the Maryland Vietnamese Mutual Association (MVMA), an organization devoted to strengthening the Vietnamese American community through education, social and economic advancement, and cultural preservation. Her leadership within this organization demonstrates her deep commitment to community engagement and advocacy, particularly for those who may otherwise lack access to essential resources and support.

In addition, Mimi volunteers monthly with Smiles on Wings, a nonprofit organization dedicated to serving underserved and underprivileged populations. Through this organization, she help generously contributes her professional expertise as a Registered Dental Hygienist. Her volunteer efforts ensure that individuals who might otherwise go without care due to no dental insurance receive critical oral health services such as;  scaling and root planing, silver diamond fluoride (SDF), education, and compassion.

Mimi just keeps caring and giving. Her and several friends take it upon themselves to provide hot meals to the homeless in Washington D.C.

I have had the privilege of knowing Mimi for the past eight years, and throughout that time, I have witnessed her unwavering positivity, humility, and continued growth both personally and professionally. She consistently leads with kindness, integrity, and a genuine desire to uplift others. Mimi truly exemplifies the “heart to hands” philosophy—using both her compassion and her skills to improve the lives of those around her.

Mimi Truong’s remarkable journey, dedication to dental hygiene, and steadfast commitment to community service make her an exceptional and deserving candidate for the Phillips Heart to Hands Award. I wholeheartedly recommend her for this honor and am confident that her story and service will continue to inspire all who have the privilege of knowing her.

E Jane Smith, RDH 

3020 Ironwood Dr

Lake Havasu City, AZ 86404

602-295-5648

janesmith2525@yahoo.com