About Tawanna
Tawanna Michelle Kelly is a Registered Dental Hygienist, traveling dental professional, public health oral care advocate, and founder of Dental HyGenerosity.
"Excellent job. She was great with the patients and very independent. Can't wait to have her back."
Carolyn K.
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From Dental Assistant to Registered Dental Hygienist
Tawanna's journey into dentistry began nearly twenty years ago as a dental assistant. Over time, her passion for patient care, education, and preventive health inspired her to continue advancing her career, eventually gaining a Bachelor of Science in Health Science and becoming a Registered Dental Hygienist.
Throughout her career, she has worked in private practices, public health settings, correctional facilities, and temporary staffing roles, gaining firsthand experience with the challenges dental offices face while maintaining quality patient care.
These experiences shaped not only her clinical expertise, but also her belief that oral healthcare is about far more than cleanings and procedures. It is about helping people live healthier lives through prevention, education, and access to care.
The Story Behind Dental HyGenerosity
"How can preventive dental care reach people who do not have easy access to it?"
During COVID, while much of dentistry was temporarily paused, Tawanna found herself returning to that question again and again.
What began as a desire to support people remotely because of the pandemic, soon evolved into a larger vision, one that combined clinical care, public health advocacy, education, and accessibility.
As she continued serving practices as a traveling dental hygienist, she saw an opportunity to help dental offices maintain continuity of care while simultaneously building toward something much larger, a public health-focused model that could bring preventive dental care directly into underserved communities.
This desire to improve access to care became the foundation of Dental HyGenerosity.
Mission and Vision
For Tawanna, dentistry has always been about more than providing clinical care. It is about creating opportunities for better health, stronger communities, and greater access to preventive services.
Our Mission
To combine clinical dental expertise with public health principles to make a meaningful impact on the lives of patients and communities through preventive care, education, and improved access to oral healthcare.
Our Vision
To enhance oral health within communities and globally by increasing awareness, promoting prevention, and expanding access to care. Through future mobile dental services, Dental HyGenerosity aims to deliver preventive oral healthcare directly to the people and communities who need it most while helping individuals understand the critical connection between oral health and overall well-being, emphasizing the importance of regular dental checkups, proper oral hygiene practices, and early intervention.
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Public Health and Community Impact
Public health has always been an important part of Tawanna's professional journey. Her work has never been limited to one type of dental setting, allowing her to serve patients from many different backgrounds and communities.
Guatemala Outreach
Participated in international dental outreach efforts that reinforced the importance of prevention, education, and access to care.
Correctional Healthcare
Extensive experience providing care within correctional healthcare environments while supporting patient health and wellness.
Public Health Dentistry
Experience serving diverse patient populations through public health-focused dental programs and initiatives.
Community Outreach
Active participation in programs such as Give Kids A Smile and other efforts that promote oral health awareness and education.
Education, Experience, and Professional Recognition
Behind every successful shift is a commitment to professional growth, continuing education, and maintaining the highest standards of patient care.
Bachelor of Science in Health Science
Earned from Wilmington University, providing a strong foundation in healthcare, prevention, and public health principles.
Multi-State Licensed Dental Hygienist
Licensed in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New Hampshire, and Vermont.
Extensive Software Experience
Knowledgeable in more than 20 dental software systems, allowing rapid adaptation to different office environments and operational workflows.
Public Health Dental Experience
Experience includes public health dental hygiene, correctional healthcare settings, preventive services, and access-to-care initiatives.
Professional Recognition
Ranked #1 on Cloud Dentistry, ranked between #1 and #4 on Clipboard, and recipient of GoTu's 2026 Best in Dental Award for exceptional performance, professionalism, and consistency.
Professional Standards
Experienced in OSHA guidelines, infection prevention best practices, HIPAA-conscious patient care, and following each office's established protocols.
Industry Involvement
Active involvement with the American Institute Board reflects a commitment to leadership, advocacy, and the future of dental hygiene.
More Than a Dental Hygienist
Beyond dentistry, Tawanna is a wife, a mother, a dog mom, and a lover of sloths.
In many ways, the sloth reflects her approach to life. She values slowing down, appreciating the present moment, and finding joy in simple things that many people overlook.
She enjoys listening to birds chirping in the morning, feeling the wind on a quiet day, and watching waves roll onto the shore. Those simple moments help keep her grounded and remind her why caring for people matters.
Friends, colleagues, and patients often describe her as compassionate, approachable, and genuinely invested in helping others succeed. Whether she is supporting a dental practice, educating a patient, or planning future community programs, she believes relationships matter just as much as results.
