In December 2023, Operation Dental opened the doors of Sandmine Dentistry, our third De Novo practice. Among the first team members to join the team was Kissy, one of Sandmine’s dental hygienists. This opportunity gave her the experience of shaping the patient experience from the beginning. For her, being a part of a De Novo practice was more than just providing hygiene care; it was about building something meaningful from the ground up alongside her team.

Starting from a brand-new patient base, Kissy and the team understood the importance of establishing trust right away. The team built long-term relationships with patients that kept patients returning to the office for care by listening closely, explaining procedures clearly, ensuring comfort at every visit, and demonstrating genuine care for both oral health and overall well-being.

The team focused on listening closely, explaining procedures clearly, and ensuring comfort throughout every patient's visit. By demonstrating genuine care for patients' oral health and overall well-being, the team made connections with patients more quickly, laying the foundation for long-term relationships that kept patients returning to the office for care.

“I feel proud knowing that my work directly contributes to the growth and reputation of the office. Working in a De Novo environment changed how I viewed my role as a hygienist long-term because it gave me a deeper appreciation for how important adaptability and leadership are in hygiene.” – Kissy RDH.

In a brand-new office, adaptability is key. Kissy helped establish clinical routines, refine patient flow, and shape Sandmine Dentistry’s culture of care. This allowed her to enhance her clinical skills and deepen her understanding of comprehensive care, all through close collaboration with the dentists and assistants. She learned that consistent communication and teamwork are critical to building efficient systems while keeping patient care as the top priority.

As the office grew, the team expanded. Kissy enjoyed mentoring new members and sharing the systems and protocols she helped create. These experiences allowed her to refine hygiene workflows, elevate patient education, and strengthen team communication to help create a smooth patient experience and make the team more efficient and connected.

For Kissy, the true reward of being part of a De Novo practice comes from watching teamwork define the culture of Sandmine Dentistry. One of the biggest surprises was how quickly patients built trust and formed connections with the team. She has seen how compassion, open communication, and collaboration can create a meaningful impact in a brand-new office.

Digital x-rays, intraoral cameras, and iTero scanners play a vital role in patient education and case acceptance by visually illustrating conditions and treatment needs, helping patients better understand their oral health and feel confident in recommended care. At the same time, this technology enhances efficiency and serves as a bridge for communication, strengthening both teamwork within the practice and trust with our patients.

For hygienists considering a De Novo role, Kissy highlights essential skills: adaptability, teamwork, a proactive mindset, organization, openness to change, and willingness to go the extra mile make all the difference.

“For other hygienists considering joining a De Novo practice, I'd tell them it’s a great opportunity to grow both personally and professionally. You’ll learn to be adaptable, contribute ideas, and truly feel part of a team that’s building something meaningful from day one. I would absolutely choose to work in a De Novo practice again. It’s been a rewarding experience to help build something from the start and see it succeed. The teamwork, growth, and patient relationships make it all worthwhile.” - Kissy, RDH

Kissy emphasizes that the hygienist’s role goes far beyond clinical duties when joining a De Novo practice. Hygienists help shape workflows, patient experiences, and the overall culture of care. It’s a chance to lead, innovate, and genuinely feel part of a team building something new and meaningful.