In the world of dental hygiene, few careers offer the variety of experiences and opportunities that Mary Jensen has embraced. From working and volunteering overseas, to working with children, to caring for seniors with dementia, Mary has found unique ways to share her expertise while making a meaningful impact. Her career is not just about cleaning teeth – it’s about changing lives, fostering cross-cultural connections, and improving global health, one smile at a time.
From Illinois to Switzerland: A Leap into the Global Stage
After earning her associates degree in Dental Hygiene from Southern Illinois University (SIU), and later her BA and MS from National Louis University, Mary’s career took a bold leap outside the familiar walls of the American dental operatory. Just four years after graduating, she was recruited by Swiss dentists who were eager to bring American dental hygienists into their practices to fill a growing shortage of dental professionals. Without hesitation, Mary packed her bags, obtained a work visa, and moved to Switzerland.
Her time in Switzerland was nothing short of transformative. Not only did she learn a new language and embrace the culture, but Mary also enjoyed a significantly higher salary compared to her previous job back in Illinois. She quickly discovered that work-life balance in Switzerland far exceeded what was typical in the States. Starting with four weeks of paid time off (PTO), by the time she left four years later, she had accumulated eight weeks of PTO. This generous time off allowed her to travel extensively, further fueling her passion for exploring the world. Mary met amazing Dental Hygienists from all over the states. Traveling around Europe and beyond was a fantastic experience.
A Heart for Volunteering: Alliance for Smiles
Back in the U.S., Mary’s career took another fascinating turn when she joined Dr. Patrick O'Flaherty’s practice. Dr. O’Flaherty was actively involved with Alliance for Smiles, an organization dedicated to providing free cleft lip and palate surgeries for children worldwide. This marked the beginning of Mary’s 20-year-long involvement with the organization, which gets most of their funding through grants from Rotary International.
As part of the Alliance for Smiles team, Mary has traveled to countries such as China, Bangladesh, the Philippines, Myanmar, Vietnam, Guatemala, Ecuador, Ghana, Egypt, and Zimbabwe, bringing essential dental care to children in need. Over the years, she has taken on the role of Lead Registered Dental Hygienist, where she helps coordinate mission trips, conducts interviews for potential volunteers, manages supplies, and ensures that dental protocols are followed during surgeries.
Each mission is unique, and Mary has learned firsthand the importance of flexibility, creativity, and problem-solving. Volunteers often encounter unexpected challenges, and Mary recommends that dental professionals gain several years of experience before embarking on a mission trip. Local volunteer work is a good starting point for those interested in helping abroad, as it helps build the skills necessary for the challenges of international missions.
While the dental teams often consist of just one dentist, one hygienist, and one assistant, there is much to be done on these mission trips. The overall team is responsible for screening children, providing preventive care, and scheduling appointments around the surgical schedule. While the work can be intense and physically demanding, Mary thrives in the environment, especially when interacting with other medical volunteers from diverse backgrounds and cultures. Sometimes the local volunteers and hospital staff call on Mary to attend to their own dental needs. Even though they are medical professionals, Mary has learned that many have never visited a dental office. Mary feels her biggest role is that of an dental health educator.
Although these trips are not glamorous – with volunteers staying in basic hotels and working long hours – they provide profound experiences. Volunteers are treated very well, and Alliance for Smiles covers the cost of travel, room and board for all their volunteers. “It’s the work that matters most,” Mary says. “The goal is to help these children lead better lives by providing essential surgeries, preventive dental care, and education.” The personal rewards for volunteering, according to Mary, are immense. The sense of fulfillment and connection to those in need cannot be matched by everyday practice.
Expanding Horizons: Global Dental
In addition to her work with Alliance for Smiles, Mary has also volunteered with Global Dental, an international organization that provides free dental care to underserved populations worldwide. This organization, unlike Alliance for Smiles, requires volunteers to cover their own travel and accommodation costs, but offers a well-structured and highly organized experience. GDR encourages non dental volunteers.
During her recent trip to Cambodia, Mary’s husband, Herman joined as her newly trained dental assistant. Global Dental offered an experience that was both rewarding and enjoyable. The hotel had a swimming pool, which was very refreshing after a day of volunteering in an un-air-conditioned clinic in the Cambodian heat. Global Dental arranges sightseeing excursions on days off for their volunteers. The volunteer work itself was very demanding but fulfilling, and Mary once again found herself immersed in a cross-cultural exchange with international volunteers.
Bridging the Gap: Lifetime Oral Care
Back at home, Mary’s passion for improving oral health led her to a new venture: Lifetime Oral Care. After seeing firsthand how little attention was given to oral health in a memory care community where her Aunt resided, Mary knew she could make a difference. She became a Certified Caregiver and a Certified Dementia Care Practitioner, then launched her own LLC to provide weekly oral hygiene care services to memory care and assisted living community residents.
However, the onset of COVID-19 forced Mary to adapt quickly. While the pandemic shut down her in-person services, she used her problem-solving skills honed during mission trips to pivot her focus. She became a contact tracer and later worked with DuPage County Health Department (DCHD) to assist with COVID testing and vaccination registration. When the pandemic slowed, she was able to resume her work with Lifetime Oral Care, continuing to offer vital oral hygiene care services to seniors in need. Mary also stayed with DCHD, working in an “on-call” position where she provides preventive dental treatment to low-income children in local school settings.
Flexible, Compassionate, and Committed
Mary’s career proves that being a dental hygienist isn’t just about treating teeth – it’s about making a difference. Whether volunteering locally and internationally, helping seniors with dementia, or working with the local health department, Mary approaches every task with the same three key objectives she learned during her mission work:
Her advice to new graduates is simple yet profound: “Don’t be afraid to change paths if you’re not happy where you land. Also, volunteering will give you a perspective you won’t get in everyday practice. I strongly recommend being a part of your professional organization – IDHA/ADHA – because they support YOU! I would not be where I am in my career today without the connections I have made through my professional organization.
Mary’s career is a testament to the power of passion, compassion, and flexibility. She continues to inspire others through her dedication to dental hygiene, volunteerism, and global outreach. If there’s one thing Mary knows for certain, it’s that dental professionals have the ability to change lives – and the world – one smile at a time.
To learn more about Mary’s work with senior citizens and her services, visit her business website www.lifetimeoralcarellc.com
For more information about volunteering with the organizations Mary works with, visit:
Mary's story is one of a career shaped by global experiences, an unwavering commitment to bettering oral health, and a reminder that kindness, patience, and gentleness are at the heart of everything we do.
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