Lainey Lalicata
Lainey Lalicata, CRDH, is a seasoned dental professional specializing in dental team leadership, clinical education, patient experience, and operational excellence. With 20 years of clinical dental hygiene experience, she has developed deep expertise in preventive care, periodontal therapy, and patient-centered communication. Lainey is known for her ability to elevate practice efficiency through office organization, workflow optimization, and team training, bringing a blend of clinical insight and practical leadership to every role she serves. Lainey’s career includes significant leadership positions, including Chief Hygiene Officer at Starlight Dental Management and her current role as Customer Success Manager at My Dental SOP. In this capacity, she manages client relationships, oversees onboarding and training, and plays a key role in long-term retention and growth. Her adaptability, attention to detail, and strong interpersonal skills allow her to guide dental teams through meaningful transformation while enhancing both patient experience and organizational performance. She is also an active member of the DeW (Dental Entrepreneur Women ) community and a respected voice in dental education and consulting. Beyond the operatory, Lainey brings creativity and passion to everything she does. She is a member of a magical mermaid community that gathers all along the Gulf Coast of Florida as part of a philanthropic “Mermaid Pod,” raising funds and awareness for water conservation and manatee protection. She is currently working on her upcoming book, Confessions of a Dental Hygienist, a collection of humorous and inspiring stories from her years in dentistry. Dedicated to service, continuous learning, and community impact, Lainey is always open to connecting and collaborating as she continues to expand her influence within the dental industry and beyond.
• New Hampshire Technical Institute
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to my willingness to take bold, strategic leaps and trust in the value of my clinical expertise. Transitioning into a remote position challenged me to adapt my clinical skills to a new environment, working with software and office-based workflows. Recognizing an opportunity, I reached out directly to the owner Laura Johnson and offered my clinical background to support the company, an uncertain step that ultimately opened the door to this role. Today, I manage client relationships by guiding onboarding, training, and long-term adoption, playing a critical part in retention, expansion, and client loyalty. Taking that chance not only shaped my career path but has now positioned me for a potential COO opportunity. It is a reminder that growth often comes from stepping forward before you feel fully ready.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I have ever received came from two incredible mentors who shaped my path in dentistry. Gayle Ridley, a hygienist who worked with students when I was a little girl, showed me what compassion, patience, and true kindness look like in a clinical setting. Her warmth and the way she cared for others inspired me at a young age to pursue a career in the dental field. Later in my career, Janet Hagerman, a respected hygiene consultant, became a pivotal mentor when I felt “lost in the op” while working for a DSO. She understood my challenges, guided me with clarity and encouragement, and helped me grow into the leader I aspired to be. Her mentorship played a key role in helping me earn my promotion and step into the Chief Hygiene position. Their guidance taught me that kindness and connection can change a career and a life.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to young women entering this industry is to do your research and always complete a working interview. Spending time in the office will give you real insight into how the team operates, how leadership communicates, and whether the culture aligns with your values. Remember that you are interviewing them just as much as they are interviewing you, and you deserve an environment that supports your growth and well-being. After spending the last 25 years doing what I felt I “had to,” I’m now shifting toward what I truly “want to.” I’m planning a nomadic van adventure to travel the states and finally embrace the dreams I’ve put on hold. A reminder that your career should support the life you want, not the other way around.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
Clinical hygienists today are navigating some of the toughest challenges the profession has ever seen, from a toxic, profit-driven climate that prioritizes production over people to the ongoing issue of many offices still not offering basic medical benefits despite the physical demands of the role. ( A big reason why I stepped out of the operatory. ) Hygienists are expected to provide elevated, whole-body care while working within systems that often undervalue them, stretch them thin, and ignore the burnout crisis happening across the field. And living and working along the Gulf Coast adds another layer of complexity, where environmental and conservation challenges, from coastal erosion to water quality concerns, highlight just how deeply oral and systemic health intersect with the health of our communities. As someone who has lived both the dental assistant and hygiene experience, I understand how vital it is to protect our profession, support our clinicians, and create healthier ecosystems, both inside the operatory and across the Gulf Coast we call home.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values that guide me in both my work and personal life are authenticity, service, creativity, and community. These principles shape how I care for people, engage with others, and pursue meaningful passions. Whether I'm joining my mermaid pod along the Gulf Coast to support water conservation and manatee protection, or preparing to publish my upcoming book, Confessions of a Dental Hygienist, which blends humor and resilience from my two decades in the field., my focus and intention is to always lift treat others with respect and kindness. With 20 years of clinical dental experience in preventive care and patient-centered communication, I’m committed to using my skills in impactful ways and exploring new opportunities in consulting, education, or healthcare administration. I value connection, storytelling, and giving back, and I’m always open to collaborating with others who share these goals.