I am writing to share my journey as a dental hygienist and to express the passion and
dedication I bring to this profession. My career began in a Medicaid-focused dental
office, where I worked as a clinical dental hygienist serving an under-served patient
population. Those initial years helped me build a strong foundation in patient care, with
a particular focus on improving the oral health of diverse communities who may face
barriers to accessing dental services. Through these experiences, I developed a deep
commitment to the mission of dental hygiene, recognizing how impactful our work can
be in promoting overall health and quality of life for every patient.
After several years in general practice, I transitioned to a periodontal office, where my
role took on new dimensions. I was hired not only for traditional dental hygiene duties
but as a surgical hygienist. In this specialized position, I became an integral part of our
periodontist’s surgical team, contributing directly to the efficiency and success of our
surgical schedule. My responsibilities included preparing patients for surgery, reviewing
their medical histories in detail to ensure safe and personalized care, anesthetizing all
surgical patients, performing scaling and root planing on surgical cases, and providing
patients with comprehensive post-operative instructions. Each aspect of this role gave
me a deep appreciation for the complexities of surgical care and allowed me to
contribute meaningfully to the practice beyond traditional hygiene work.
Driven to further my knowledge and professional capabilities, I went back to school after
the birth of my second daughter and earned my Master’s degree in Dental Hygiene.
During this time, our practice expanded significantly—from a single periodontal office to
three locations, with additional acquisitions of general dental practices in the area. In
response to our growing needs, I assumed the role of Director of Dental Hygiene. In this
capacity, I guide and support a large team of hygienists across multiple offices, ensuring
that each is calibrated to the same high standard of care. I provide regular coaching on
clinical efficiency, helping hygienists optimize their workflows to enhance patient care
while maximizing productivity. Additionally, I work closely with our team to establish and
maintain consistent, evidence-based standards of care that reflect the latest
advancements in the field.
As I reflect on my career, I am passionate about pushing the dental hygiene profession
forward and demonstrating the value of roles outside of the operatory. My work as a
surgical hygienist and now as a director has shown me how dental hygienists can lead
in education, practice standards, and patient care innovation. I am committed to
fostering an environment that allows hygienists to grow, pursue advanced skills, and
contribute to dentistry in meaningful ways beyond traditional clinical practice.
Thank you for considering my dedication to this profession and my commitment to
continuous growth. I am eager to keep making an impact in the field of dental hygiene
and look forward to the opportunities ahead.
Warm regards,
Stephanie Rooks RDH, MSDH