Her Story
About Marlene
Marlene Arellano, RDH, OMT is a registered dental hygienist, certified oromyofunctional therapist, and entrepreneur with more than 27 years of experience in the dental field. Based in San Jose, California, she currently serves as a Registered Dental Hygienist with Dr. John Licking while also leading Functionality MFT, her practice dedicated to helping patients overcome swallowing disorders, mouth breathing, and other oral dysfunctions through myofunctional therapy. Her career spans pediatric, cosmetic, and periodontal dentistry, complemented by advanced training in laser dentistry, Guided Biofilm Therapy (GBT), and other modern clinical techniques.
Before entering dentistry, Marlene worked in the high-tech industry before discovering her passion for patient care. After nine years as a dental assistant, she earned her dental hygiene degree and continued expanding her expertise through specialized certifications in oromyofunctional therapy, laser dentistry, GBT, and digital marketing. In addition to her clinical work, she has recently launched a digital marketing business focused on helping dental practices attract more patients, strengthen their online presence, and scale their businesses by combining her extensive dental knowledge with innovative marketing strategies.
Beyond her professional accomplishments, Marlene is a dedicated leader, mentor, and community advocate. She has served for decades as Director of Creative Arts at her local church and has led youth mentorship initiatives that empower young people to develop confidence and purpose. Passionate about lifelong learning, she credits much of her success to mentors who modeled humility and continuous growth. Guided by a patient-centered philosophy, Marlene believes dentistry is ultimately about caring for people as a whole. She is equally committed to mentoring fellow dental professionals, encouraging women to pursue entrepreneurship, and supporting charitable causes through donations and child sponsorship programs.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Marlene
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to having seen my father work very hard to become a business owner despite being an immigrant and having to support a family while doing it. He invested in his education and showed me what grit and hard work look like. As a first born, I developed a sense of leadership and responsibility early on. During my years in dentistry, I have been fortunate to have worked with dentists who invested in their continuous education and excelling in their field. This has inspired me to become a life learner. After all these years in my field, I enjoy a challenge, new knowledge and finding ways to grow and improve. Success is different for everyone and I find that in time, my own definition has changed. My drive comes from the love of my family and in my faith in God. I plan to never settle for less than my dreams.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I have ever received is to believe in yourself, invest in yourself and always bet on yourself. We are more capable than we think, smarter than we believe and stronger than we ever dreamed.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice is to enter this field because you genuinely care about helping people—not simply for the financial rewards. Being a clinician who is empathetic, caring and honest will create a bond with your patients that will be unbreakable. I have been invited to my patients' weddings, graduations, birthday parties and the like because they know I honestly care about them as a person, not just as a patient. I have gained friendships through the years and much more than I could have ever imagined.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges is that dentistry is stressful. You have a schedule to keep up with no matter the complications that arise and you are always running against the clock. On the other hand, some of the opportunities besides clinical practice is teaching, sales and consulting. There is a variety of possibilities available once you decide you want to diversify your role. You can make your career what you want.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values that matter most to me are compassion, service, and empowerment. I believe genuine care for patients comes from the heart, and I am passionate about encouraging women to believe in themselves as entrepreneurs and business owners. I also find great fulfillment in mentoring young people and helping them grow into successful, confident individuals.
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