When I first began practicing dental hygiene, I quickly realized that our profession had incredible potential—but there were also gaps. Voids that left me asking: why isn’t anyone doing something about this?
That question became the spark that ignited my entrepreneurial journey.
Spotting the voids
My first realization was with instrumentation. Early in my career, I worked in a variety of offices as my husband’s work took us across Ontario and later to British Columbia. In many practices, I noticed the same issue: the quality of instruments was poor. They were dull, misshaped, or worn down to tiny nubs. Often, there weren’t enough instrument types to meet clinical needs.
And sometimes when new instruments were purchased, the old ones were often saved for “the temp.”
Sharpening was something I excelled at, so I often ended up sharpening all the instruments in the office, sometimes even the dentist’s. I had both the power sharpening equipment running and the manual stones in hand, making sure every instrument was ready for optimal care. It became clear to me that clinicians needed better tools and better systems for maintenance. That realization led me to create an instrument company in 1998, which grew across North America and into 10 dental hygiene colleges across Canada. I eventually sold this company and continue to consult with a leading manufacturer in the dental space.
Later, I noticed another void: how we present ourselves. Too often, sloppy scrubs undermined the professionalism of our role. I launched Scrubs Couture to help dental hygienists walk into their practice with pride. We customized uniforms for offices, schools, and even hospitals and spas. How we show up matters!
Then came education. I spent many hours in courses with hundreds of other dental hygienists where connection and learning felt lost in the crowd. I left many sessions unsure of the next step. It was more “check-box” CE than true transformation. That inspired rdhu! A boutique-style professional and personal development company offering hands-on, intimate education designed to create lasting change. Over time, we expanded to include live-streaming and on-demand courses, but always with the same focus: empowering dental hygienists to grow in ways that benefit themselves, their clients, and their practices.
Finally, I saw the fear and confusion surrounding Ontario’s Quality Assurance Program. For years, dental hygienists dreaded the portfolio process. I wanted to shift that mindset and to help colleagues see Quality Assurance as an opportunity for growth, not fear. We created an online tool and monthly webinars to build confidence, clarity, and support, and to help dental hygienists embrace lifelong learning as an essential part of professional satisfaction.
Each of these ventures was born from a simple but powerful truth—when you see a gap, you have two choices: ignore it or build something to fill it.
The entrepreneurial roller coaster
Make no mistake, entrepreneurship is not for the faint of heart. It’s a roller coaster of exhilarating highs and challenging lows. Behind the scenes are long nights, endless decisions, financial risks, and moments of doubt. It takes a lot of time, resources, and energy.
But there’s also joy. The joy of creating tools and programs that truly change our practice. The joy of watching colleagues rise. The joy of building a team that shares your passion for making a difference.
Abundance, integrity, and impact
If I’ve learned one thing, it’s this: mindset matters. An abundance mentality keeps you moving forward. There will always be challenges and people who test your resilience but holding onto positivity and not letting doubt take over is essential.
Leadership also means making hard calls. Sometimes you need to have difficult conversations or make difficult decisions. It’s about doing the right thing, even when it’s the hard thing. Integrity and resilience are the anchors that keep you grounded when the waters get rough.
A message for aspiring entrepreneurs
If you’re considering going out on your own—whether starting an independent dental hygiene practice or creating something entirely new—start by looking for the voids. What’s missing in your practice, in your profession, or in your community? That’s where opportunity lives.
Entrepreneurship requires courage, creativity, and commitment. It demands that you show up even when the path isn’t clear and that you keep going even when the climb feels steep.
But it also gives you something priceless: the chance to shape the future of your profession, to grow into your best self, and to build a legacy that matters.
So, if your heart is nudging you forward, listen. Embrace the challenges. Turn them into opportunities. The profession of dental hygiene needs entrepreneurs now more than ever.
If you’d ever like to connect or share ideas, you can reach me on Instagram @kathbok or @rdhuinc. I’d be happy to connect and help however I can.
About the author
Kathleen is the founder and president of rdhu, a leading professional development company dedicated to transforming the dental hygiene experience. With a passion for lifelong learning, she provides innovative hands-on programs, online education, and team events that empower dental hygienists to elevate their clinical practice. Kathleen is also a strong advocate for integrating research into everyday hygiene care, inspiring clinicians to embrace continuous growth. Learn more at rdhu.ca.