Dr. McGlennen: What inspired you to pursue a career in dental hygiene, and what do you find most rewarding about it?
Oanh: I’ve always had a strong passion for helping others and initially pursued a career in nursing. Over time, I realized a career in dental hygiene has a better work life balance while still allowing me to make meaningful impacts on patients’ overall health. What I find most rewarding is knowing that my role goes beyond oral health. By treating periodontal disease, I’m also helping support my patients’ overall health, from managing diabetes to reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease and other systemic inflammation.
Dr. McGlennen: How has incorporating salivary diagnostics into your practice changed the way you approach patient care? Can you share a memorable success story?
Oanh: Incorporating salivary diagnostics has allowed me to more effectively track my patients’ treatment progress and provide tangible evidence of improvement. One patient with lichen planus shared that her oral flare-ups have lessened with the combination of adjunctive therapies and antibiotics recommended based on her salivary testing results. The results allowed us to monitor changes in bacterial load over time. It has also been reassuring for patients to see that the care we’re providing is truly working, which builds trust, confidence, and engagement in their treatment plans.
Dr. McGlennen: What advice would you give to other RDHs who are hesitant to adopt salivary diagnostics in their practice?
Oanh: Everything comes with a learning curve. Taking the time to further your own research helps you understand salivary diagnostics in a way that resonates with you. Once you’re confident in that knowledge, you’ll be able to clearly and confidently present it to your patients, making it a valuable part of your patient care.
Dr. McGlennen: What excites you most about the future of dental hygiene and how salivary diagnostics can contribute to it?
Oanh: I am most excited about how the salivary test can help bridge the gap between medical and dental care. I am looking forward to a future when there is a more streamlined infrastructure and collaboration with both professions.
- RDH Spotlight: Oanh Pham, CPhT, RDH, BSDH - March 13, 2026