I have always referred to the dental hygiene profession as a hidden gem. Most people don’t truly understand what it means to be a dental hygienist — how special this profession is, not just for those of us who practice it, but for everyone we encounter along the way; whether they are our patients, teammates, or professional colleagues.  When I entered dentistry twenty years ago as a dental assistant with no experience and no family background in healthcare, other than regular visits to my den...