In the innovative world of dentistry, teams and dental offices are adopting new technologies and methodologies of practice. However, the importance of team collaboration remains a pillar of providing exceptional care. McKenzie Dental Center has a woman-led team with unique backgrounds that led them into their careers in the field. Through their experience and field expertise, they are able to deliver the highest quality of care to patients.
Connecting with Every Patient
Personalized medicine is essential, because every patient that comes to McKenzie Dental Center has different dental needs and are in various stages of their journey. The hygienists have a patient-first approach to their treatment by prioritizing intentional time with the patients to connect with them and understand their individual needs. Dental exams set the foundation for the relationship between patients and the clinic, and hygienists play a crucial role in building that trust.
This approach is imperative because dental anxiety is extremely common. A 2025 national survey found that nearly 73% of adults reported experiencing some level of dental fear, with approximately 46% reporting moderate fear and nearly 27% reporting severe fear (Heyman et al., 2025). The hygienists at McKenzie Dental Center aim to reduce the anxiousness associated with dental visits by making the experience comfortable.
During appointments, hygienists assess the patients, and provide education and explain treatment plans. They take great pride and joy in connecting with patients, so treatments are done with compassion and care. It is important to create authentic relationships beyond clinical treatment in dentistry.
Advanced Training: What Makes Them Different
What sets McKenzie Dental Center apart is its commitment to continued training. The staff has received extensive training that has equipped them with the skills to provide advanced services. For example, the entire hygiene team has completed specialized laser training courses. Oral diseases affect more than 3.5 billion people worldwide. Yet, advancements in laser technology have transformed the way the dental industry manages oral diseases (Zhang et al. 2025). Lasers are conducive during the decontamination process by reducing infection risks and bacterial reduction at a more precise level than traditional methods. As a result, laser utilization directly supports patient care with treatments being less invasive and creating a more comfortable experience.
The same attention to safety and expertise extends to sedation options. When necessary, McKenzie Dental Center is fully equipped to offer nitrous oxide, because the hygienists have acquired the specific licensing to administer it. The process involves rigorous training and serves as a mark of the team’s ability to administer sedation safely and effectively. For patients, this translates into trust that every aspect of their care is backed by real expertise. The office works together to assess what kind of care it wants to offer and chooses the certifications that best support the patients.
Collaborating Behind the Scenes
The same intentionality is reflected in the teamwork at McKenzie Dental Center. In the morning the dental team meets before the first patient comes through the door. This time allows hygienists, and all staff to collaborate by sharing new ideas, reflecting on appointments from the day before, and creating plans for the future. Collaboration is a key value of the team. Nobody works alone. When the whole team talks it through, each person’s expertise becomes part of the care. The hygienists are right in the middle of making that happen.
A Team Built on Connection
At the heart of it all is the importance of the relationship between the hygienists and the patients, along with the team that supports it. Bernita, one of the lead hygienists at McKenzie Dental Center, says her favorite part of the job is getting to know the patients.
Bernita shares, “When you get to help people and learn from your team every day, the work just feels so natural and easy. I love getting to connect with patients and see returning people over the years and really build those relationships.”
She loves this team, because of the way they foster a positive team environment that reinforces positive relationships with patients.
The hygienists at McKenzie Dental Center prove that collaboration isn’t just a strategy. It’s the foundation of great care.
For more information, visit the McKenzie Dental Center website or contact the office directly (541) 747-8030.
McKenzie Dental Center is committed to providing patient-centered, compassionate care through personalized treatment, clinical excellence, and a commitment to lifelong oral health. Its mission is upheld by continually growing through utilizing advanced technology, ongoing education, and refining technical expertise, in order to deliver the highest standard of care to every patient.
References
Zhang, O. L., Yin, I. X., Yu, O. Y., Luk, K., Niu, J. Y., & Chu, C. H. (2025). Advanced Lasers and Their Applications in Dentistry. Dentistry Journal, 13(1), 37.
Advanced Lasers and Their Applications in Dentistry
Heyman, R. E., Daly, K. A., Aladia, S., Harris, S. L., Roitman, N. A., Kim, A. C., & Smith Slep, A. M. (2025). A census-matched survey of dental fear and fear-treatment interest in the United States. Journal of the American Dental Association, 156(9), 696–705.e3.