Meet Deanna Joy Gilmore: Hygienist, Consultant, Innovator
Mar 03, 2026For Deanna Joy Gilmore, RDH, BSDH, MHA, CH-OSE, the field of dental hygiene has always pointed toward a bigger picture: the undeniable link between oral health and whole-body wellness. Based in Los Angeles, California, this Doctor of Executive Leadership (DEL) Candidate is a powerful example of how a career in dental hygiene can extend far beyond the clinic, driven by a passion for systems, education, and entrepreneurship.
With over two decades of clinical experience, Deanna has built a career that defies traditional boundaries. She is an independent healthcare and business operations consultant, a writer, and an educator. Her work is centered on improving workflows and supporting leadership across a range of industries, proving dental hygienists capabilities extend far beyond direct clinical care.
A Commitment to Integrated Care
Deanna’s connection to the National Network of Healthcare Hygienists (NNHH) is rooted in a shared mission. As a member and a proud holder of the Oral Systemic Educator Certificate (CH-OSE), she found a community that mirrored her own convictions.
“I joined NNHH because I believe oral health must be integrated into overall healthcare,” Deanna explains. “Throughout my clinical career, and my own health journey, I consistently saw the connection between oral conditions and systemic disease. I appreciate NNHH’s commitment to collaboration, education, and elevating the role of the dental hygienist within the broader healthcare system.”
Her commitment to advanced learning doesn’t stop there. Deanna also holds a Leadership Certificate through NNHH and The Cotten Method Head and Neck Cancer Screening Certificate, rounding out a skill set focused on both clinical excellence and strategic leadership. This unique perspective led her to create Dear Tooth Sleuth, an educational social media initiative designed to share critical knowledge about oral-systemic health with a broader audience.
An Entrepreneur at Heart
What truly distinguishes Deanna’s journey is her entrepreneurial spirit. Long before she was consulting in healthcare, she was navigating the worlds of fashion, international trade, and even patent development. This diverse background in business operations and product development gave her a unique lens through which to view the challenges and opportunities in healthcare.
“In addition to clinical dental hygiene, I am a serial entrepreneur... I have led business operations, developed products, organized systems, and built educational initiatives focused on innovation and growth.”
This blend of clinical expertise and business acumen has allowed her to forge a career that is both independent and impactful. Her dream role, she says, is one focused on “innovation, systems improvement, and advancing public health through education and purpose-driven product development.”
A Voice for the Profession
At the heart of Deanna’s work is a desire to champion the true value of her profession. She is a firm advocate for recognizing dental hygienists as essential healthcare providers who do far more than just clean teeth.
“Registered Dental Hygienists are licensed healthcare professionals trained to recognize how oral health impacts overall health,” she states. “We are preventive specialists, educators, and essential contributors to whole-body health.”
For her fellow hygienists who are looking to make a bigger impact, Deanna’s message is one of empowerment and growth. “If you’re ready to expand your perspective and be part of advancing oral–systemic integration, NNHH offers the education, leadership development, and community to support that growth.”
Deanna Joy Gilmore’s story is a compelling reminder that the skills honed in the dental operatory are leadership skills—and that with vision and determination, a career in hygiene has no limits.
Connect with Deanna on LinkedIn HERE
