By Valerie Messer, RDH, FADHA
July 9, 2026
When I ask young people, “What does a dental hygienist do?” the most common answer is, “clean teeth.” For far too long, hygienists have been labeled as “cleaners.” It’s time to retire this label and recognize that dental hygienists are essential partners in healthcare – we do so much more than clean teeth.
Valerie Messer, RDH, FADHA presents Hygienist Inspired info to a local class of students interested in dental hygiene as a future profession.
My mission is to shift the community’s perspective and highlight the educational and licensing requirements for this profession. As an ADHA Hygienist Inspired Ambassador, I engage with students, young adults and career changers about the incredible opportunities in the dental hygiene field. Much like one-on-one education that happens chairside with patients, this grassroots approach promotes community conversations and allows for impactful connections. By sharing my own experiences, outlining career paths, and providing tangible resources, I can help build a foundation to prepare the next generation of future hygienists.
A recent interaction with a high school student really stuck with me. He stopped by my career table with a big smile, eager to ask questions about dental hygiene. When I asked about his post-graduation plans and as we chatted, he asked, “Can’t I just show up and learn to do this job?” I was initially taken aback, but his comment serves as a gentle reminder of how much education and training our profession requires. It’s a wonderful reminder of why we need to stay active in our communities to educate the public on what it truly takes to become a dental hygienist.
Valerie Messer, RDH, FADHA in the Indiana University School of Dentistry clinic with one of her hygiene students.
True advocacy also must support our peers in the field. That’s why I am also connecting with the dental community and meeting with licensed dental professionals weekly. These in office conversations allow me to share local legislative updates, address concerns from fellow hygienists and introduce the mission of the Hygienist Inspired program so they feel empowered to give back to the profession.
In the last three decades as a licensed dental hygienist, I’ve witnessed many positive advancements in technology, research and patient care. Yet, the current landscape is shifting in ways that may negatively impact the integrity of our profession. The future of our profession depends on our willingness to speak up. My greatest passion is providing chairside care, which allows me to focus on preventive care, patient education and patient advocacy. But outside the clinic, I’m taking my passion a step further by engaging in high-level advocacy to protect and advance the future of dental hygiene.
The ADHA Hygienist Inspired Program gives everyone a platform to make their voice heard. Whether you join as an ambassador or take the Ally Pledge, YOU can make an impact! Together, we can work to retire the old labels and ensure the next generation of hygienists enter a thriving profession.
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Valerie Messer, RDH, FADHA, is a a consultant with Absolute Compliance Solutions, providing OSHA, HIPAA, Ethics, and Management of Dental Emergency seminars in private dental offices and group settings. She is a Certified CPR instructor with the American Heart Association, and educator on behalf of Waterpik, and a group fitness instructor. She is a graduate of the Indiana University School of Dentistry Dental Hygiene Program and a Licensed Dental Hygienist with 30 years of clinical experience. Valerie is involved in many professional organizations and community projects throughout the year. She resides in Greenwood, Indiana with her husband and two sons.
Hygienist Inspired is made possible through the support of the Foundations of Delta Dental.
