By Marlyce James, EdD(c), MSEd, RDH, CDA, FADHA
June 12, 2026
Hygienists Inspiring Future Hygienists
As dental hygienists, we build trust every day. We answer questions. We educate patients. We encourage healthier habits. We help people feel seen, heard and cared for. And whether we realize it or not, we inspire.
My moment of inspiration came when I was working as a dental assistant and met one of the only minority dental hygienists employed by our company. As a single mother myself, I was inspired by her because she was also raising two children on her own and had built a successful career that provided stability and opportunities for her family. Seeing someone who looked like me and shared similar life experiences made me realize that dental hygiene was not just a possibility – it was an achievable goal. Her chairside guidance gave me the confidence to pursue dental hygiene school and ultimately changed the course of my life.
Today, I often reflect on how one person’s representation and success helped me envision a future I had never thought possible for myself. That single conversation ultimately led me from dental assistant to dental hygienist, educator, association leader, and now Program Manager of Hygienist Inspired. Looking back, I realize that if she had not taken the time to share her story and encouraged me, I may never have pursued dental hygiene. That’s exactly the kind of connection Hygienist Inspired seeks to create every day: helping others see themselves in this profession and recognize the possibilities that lie ahead.
Years later, I had the opportunity to pay that inspiration forward. During a routine appointment, a longtime patient shared that she was navigating a major life change and looking for a career that would allow her to better provide for her two daughters. I found myself having the same kind of conversation that once changed my own life. Through chairside guidance and encouragement, I helped her explore dental hygiene as a career path. What makes her story especially meaningful is that our relationship evolved from hygienist and patient to professor and student, and eventually program director and graduate. Standing beside her at graduation, pinning her and welcoming her into the profession, was a powerful reminder that a single conversation can truly change the course of someone’s life, and that inspiration has a way of coming full circle.
Think about the people you meet every day who may be exploring healthcare careers, searching for their next step, or simply looking for someone who believes in them. Sometimes a single conversation can open a door that someone never knew existed.
That’s why I believe so strongly in Hygienist Inspired, an initiative created by ADHA in partnership with the Foundations of Delta Dental. Its goal is simple but powerful: help more people discover dental hygiene and see themselves in our profession.
You’re Already Doing the Work
One of the easiest ways to support this mission is by becoming a Hygienist Inspired Ally. The best part? You are likely already doing it.
Every time you share why you became a dental hygienist, answer a student’s questions, encourage a patient interested in healthcare, or talk about the opportunities our profession offers, you’re helping someone imagine a future in dental hygiene.
Being an Ally is about recognizing the influence you already have and using it intentionally.
Join Me by Taking the Ally Pledge
By taking the Ally Pledge, you commit to helping strengthen the future of dental hygiene through awareness, advocacy and encouragement.
Join nearly 1,000 Allies across all 50 states who have pledged to:
- Share their expertise and experiences with future hygienists
- Champion a profession that reflects the communities we serve
- Support efforts that improve access to oral healthcare
- Help address workforce shortages through awareness and recruitment
Leading the Effort: Hygienist Inspired Ambassadors
While anyone can become an Ally, some hygienists choose to take an even more active leadership role as Hygienist Inspired Ambassadors.
As an Ambassador, you can help bring Hygienist Inspired to life in your community by connecting with students, patients, educators and fellow hygienists. Ambassadors receive training, resources and a stipend to lead outreach efforts, share the profession with new audiences and empower others to have meaningful recruitment conversations of their own.
Each participating state supports a small team of Ambassadors who serve as local champions for the profession. It’s a larger commitment, but also an incredibly rewarding opportunity to help shape the future of dental hygiene. Sound like fun? Keep an ear open for potential Ambassador opportunities in your state this next year. The program is growing!
Why These Conversations Matter
The need for dental hygienists continues to grow. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects dental hygiene employment will increase by 7% between 2024 and 2034, more than twice the average growth rate across occupations.1 Behind every workforce statistic is a future hygienist who simply needs someone to help them see what’s possible.
Future dental hygienists can discover this profession sooner if someone helps them see the possibilities. By introducing more people to dental hygiene, we can help strengthen the workforce, improve access to care and create a profession that better reflects the communities we serve.
When people can see themselves reflected in a profession, it becomes easier to believe they belong there. Diversity strengthens dental hygiene by bringing different perspectives, experiences and cultural understanding to the communities we serve — helping us build trust, improve access to care and better meet the needs of our patients. Imagine how many lives we can change when thousands of dental hygienists do the same.
Staying Inspired
What inspires me most about this initiative is seeing how many people have stepped forward to help strengthen the future of our profession.
Since launching in early 2025, nearly 1,200 people have expressed interest in learning more about becoming a dental hygienist. Outreach efforts have reached thousands more through schools, community events, practices and personal conversations.
Every conversation matters.
Every connection matters.
Every Ally helps create new possibilities.
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Marlyce James, EdD(c), MSEd, RDH, CDA, FADHA, is a dental hygienist, educator, speaker, and leader with more than 15 years of experience in dentistry. Beginning her career as a dental assistant, she worked her way up through the profession to become a dental hygienist, educator, association leader, and now Program Manager for the American Dental Hygienists’ Association’s Hygienist Inspired initiative. In this role, she helps strengthen the dental hygiene workforce through recruitment, mentorship, and community engagement. Marlyce is a former president of the New York Dental Hygienists’ Association and has held leadership roles at the local, state, and national levels. She is passionate about expanding access to opportunities within the profession and helping future dental hygienists discover, pursue, and thrive in rewarding careers in oral health.
Hygienist Inspired is made possible through the support of the Foundations of Delta Dental.
