One Dental Hygienist Brings Care Home to Those Who Need It Most

Lindsey Vizcay, BSDH, RDHAP, RDH, RDAEF2, didn’t just build a dental hygiene practice — she built a mission. As the founder of Home Sweet Hygiene, a mobile dental hygiene practice in Solano County, California, Vizcay has devoted her career to delivering in-home care to patients who need it most: individuals with special needs and medically complex conditions as well as older adults. But her passion for this work didn’t start with a business plan. It started with a single, unforgettable home visit.

“I truly believe that God opened this door for me, what started as just one home visit turned into something much greater,” Vizcay shares. “After seeing a young boy with special needs, I had a moment I’ll never forget. His father, with tears in his eyes, thanked me so sincerely. It wasn’t just a polite ‘thank you,’ it was full of emotion and gratitude. That moment stayed with me.”

That moment sparked a transformation. Vizcay began saying “yes” to every opportunity to serve more families like his. With more than 13 years of experience as a dental hygienist and 20 years in the field, she was ready to make care more personal and more accessible.

As a registered dental hygienist in alternative practice (RDHAP), Vizcay has the legal authority in California to bring preventive dental services into homes, schools, group homes, and skilled nursing facilities. “An RDHAP is a license that allows hygienists to practice independently in underserved settings,” she explains. “Basically, it opens the door to bring care directly to people who otherwise face barriers to accessing it.”

To qualify as an RDHAP, Vizcay needed at least 2,000 hours of clinical hygiene experience, a bachelor’s degree or equivalent, and a 150-hour board-approved RDHAP program. After passing the board exam, she launched Home Sweet Hygiene and began making an impact far beyond traditional care models.

“Serving this community has become one of the most meaningful parts of my career,” Vizcay says. “I saw how few options there were for families like his and how overwhelming dental care can be for patients with sensory sensitivities or cognitive differences. It became less about what I could do clinically and more about how I could make people feel safe, seen, and respected during care.”

Her approach is deeply individualized. Every visit is adapted to the patient’s comfort level, sensory needs, and health goals. “It’s been such a gift to combine clinical care with genuine relationships,” she says. “And now, as a mom of three, I appreciate this career more than ever; it gives me the flexibility to be present for my family, and the purpose that comes from serving my community in a way I’m truly proud of.”

Vizcay’s care doesn’t stop at home visits. Through her practice, she organizes free community events to increase access for uninsured children and underserved populations. She’s brought dental hygiene care into preschools, libraries, and community programs, meeting people exactly where they are.

“The biggest benefit is freedom, with my time, my creativity, and the way I choose to serve my community,” she says. “I get to make a real difference, and my kids get to see that every day. They think my dental cart is the coolest thing ever!”

Of course, running a business comes with its challenges. “The biggest challenge? Wearing all the hats,” Vizcay admits. “From billing and scheduling to grant writing and marketing, it’s a lot. But when you believe in your mission, you figure it out. And coffee helps. A lot.”

Despite the workload, her motivation remains crystal clear: “These are the people I’m meant to care for.” Her commitment has inspired other dental hygienists to consider the RDHAP pathway and the potential of mobile care.

Looking to the future, Vizcay sees a profession full of possibilities. “I see a future where hygienists are leaders in prevention and access,” she says. “Where mobile care, school-based programs, teledentistry, and collaborative care are no longer the exception, they’re the norm.”

Her advice to the next generation of dental hygienists is grounded in hope and community: “I hope we keep lifting each other up, supporting the mom hygienist, the new grad, the RDHAP starting their own practice. There’s room for all of us, and the future is bright when we’re in it together.”