Tia Meyer, Clinical Director, RDH, FADHA

 Heart to Hands: One Day at a Time 

From the moment I transitioned from retail to on-the-job training as a dental assistant, my life began to change. What started as a leap of faith became a lifelong calling. I earned my dental assisting degree, worked my way up through experience and persistence, and was eventually accepted into dental hygiene school, all while being a single mom. There were long days, late nights, and moments of doubt, but there was also purpose, gratitude, and the quiet determination to build a better life for my girls and for myself. 

I don’t often share my story, but recently my youngest daughter looked at me and said, “Mom, why don’t you? It could make somebody stronger, like it does me when you tell me.” Her words stopped me. They reminded me that sometimes the most powerful thing we can offer others isn’t perfection… It’s our story. 

My journey into dentistry wasn’t traditional, but it was full of heart. If it wasn’t for someone taking a chance on me and giving me that first foot in the door, I wouldn’t be where I am today. That opportunity changed everything. It gave me a foundation to grow, to lead, and to give back. Because someone believed in me, I’ve made it my mission to help create those same opportunities for others, to open doors, build confidence, and inspire possibility. 

Today, as a clinical director, helping lead over 11 dental practices, I have the privilege of influencing teams of hygienists and clinical professionals who provide care for thousands of patients each year. Leadership, to me, isn’t about authority; it’s about service. It’s about listening, lifting, and creating an environment where others can thrive. I often remind my teams that skill may build a practice, but heart builds a culture. 

When we focus on the foundation of what our offices are built on, our people, our patients, and our purpose, that’s where the heart comes into play. Every success begins with compassion behind the care. Mentorship and leadership go hand in hand when that foundation is strong. 

Some of my proudest moments don’t show up on reports or spreadsheets; they show up in people. The patient who says, “You made me feel safe.” The hygienist who says, “You believed in me when I didn’t believe in myself.” Those are the heart-to-hand moments that define this profession. 

Dental hygiene has given me far more than a career, it has given me a calling. It’s where my heart meets my hands every day. And as I look toward the future, I carry deep gratitude, excitement, and responsibility to keep helping others rise…one opportunity, one smile, one day at a time.