Why advocacy matters in dental hygiene—and how to do it without burning out
March 25, 2026
2 min read
This month on A Tale of Two Hygienists, we tackled a topic that makes some hygienists light up… and others immediately need a Dentin- Desensitizer: advocacy and legislation.
Let me tell you why this one hits home.
A few years ago, I had a patient who did everything right. Showed up. Flossed (actually flossed). Wanted to stay healthy. Then one appointment, he told me he couldn’t continue care in our traditional office because of transportation and financial barriers. Just like that, prevention stopped.
I remember sitting there thinking, We can remove calculus all day, but how do we remove barriers?
That frustration was a turning point for me. It shifted from “this is unfair” to “okay… now what?”
That’s why our conversation with Danyelle Evans felt so real. She shared a similar moment. Watching a patient lose access to care and deciding she wasn’t going to just vent about it in the break room. She stepped into advocacy at the state and national levels.
We talked about how being involved in professional associations gives you more than CE credits; it gives you a seat at the table. Consistently showing up created opportunities she never planned for, but was ready to take.
With Bethany Montoya, we asked the question every hygienist secretly wonders: How do I advocate without emotionally combusting? Advocacy can’t come at the cost of your sanity. We reflected on boundaries, community, and remembering that you are a human and not just a scaler with a pulse.
Jessica and I spoke to Derik J. Sven, who’s deeply involved with the American Dental Hygienists' Association. We broke down what actually moves legislation. Spoiler alert: it’s not angry social media posts.
Policy is shaped by legal frameworks, business interests, supervision structures, and a whole lot of behind-the-scenes strategy. If we want autonomy, we have to understand the system influencing it.
Finally, our conversation with Joffree Bunleang reminded us that sometimes legislation doesn’t go our way (deep breath). The discussion around Oral Preventive Assistants challenged us to ask: Is this a threat… or an opportunity to lead better?
Advocacy isn’t about yelling louder.
It’s about staying informed, building relationships, and protecting your energy.
We can fight for access, autonomy, and our profession — without burning out in the process.
About the Author
David Torres, CRDH
David Torres, CRDH, cohost of A Tale of Two Hygienists, is an experienced dental hygienist with over a decade of clinical expertise, specializing in patient education, preventive care, and the integration of modern dental technologies. Known for his passion for teaching, campus recruiting, and coaching, David is dedicated to elevating patient experiences while helping dental professionals improve efficiency, workflow, and long-term success.
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