Expanding the Role of Dental Hygienists in Orofacial Rehabilitation

A highly skilled healthcare professional specializing in orofacial rehabilitation, Rebecka Clark, RDH, LMT, CSOM, CMLDT, CH-ONC, brings a unique, integrative approach to patient care. With licensure in both dental hygiene and massage therapy, as well as advanced certifications in myofunctional therapy, manual lymphatic drainage, and intraoral massage, she is dedicated to optimizing patient outcomes and expanding the profession’s reach.

Clark is a passionate advocate for incorporating dental hygienists into hospitals, palliative care, home health, and rehabilitation settings for the head, neck, face, and tongue. By promoting interdisciplinary collaboration among dental hygienists, speech pathologists, and massage and physical therapists, she highlights the essential role these professionals play in improving patients’ quality of life. As an educator and founder of advanced orofacial therapy courses, Clark is equipping healthcare providers with the tools to elevate standards of care and support comprehensive recovery.

A Unique Journey into Orofacial Rehabilitation

Clark’s journey to becoming a dental hygienist was anything but conventional. “My journey began with service as a diesel mechanic in the Navy and a medic in the Army National Guard, roles that taught me discipline and the value of helping others,” she shared. However, finding her next career path proved challenging until her mother suggested dentistry. She became a dental assistant and eventually pursued a career in dental hygiene, graduating in 2015.

Her focus shifted dramatically in 2019. “I underwent double jaw surgery, which transformed my focus. I experienced a difficult recovery, unable to open my mouth for 6 months, and was stunned by the lack of rehabilitative resources for the orofacial complex. Determined to fill this gap, I pursued massage therapy and now combine it with my dental expertise to help others in rehabilitation,” Clark explained.

While working in temporomandibular joint and airway-focused dentistry, Clark developed an interest in myofunctional therapy. This exploration led her to uncover her own orofacial dysfunctions and sparked a passion for preventive care. She noted, “Over time, I realized that myofunctional therapy goes far beyond airway and growth guidance — it’s a dynamic field with diverse applications. I’m now focused on breaking into subsets of myofunctional therapy, aiming to optimize full functional orofacial medicine for more comprehensive patient care.”

Clark’s practice, Allimeden in Seattle, offers a unique blend of myofunctional and massage therapy, aimed at relieving pain, restoring movement, and facilitating healing. Her post-surgical care techniques include lymphatic drainage and scar tissue release, which are essential for a smooth recovery. She is particularly passionate about helping patients who have undergone life-altering procedures, such as tongue or jaw removal, and require intensive rehabilitation to regain basic functions like speaking and swallowing.

Pioneering a New Model of Care

Building Allimeden from the ground up was no easy feat. Clark worked tirelessly as a dental hygienist, saving every penny to fund her vision. The niche nature of her field made it difficult to find collaborative providers who understood her mission. However, rather than allowing these challenges to limit her impact, she took a new approach — education.

“Frustrated for myself and my patients, I realized that expanding the reach of this work required a shift in focus. I transitioned into teaching and established the Orofacial Recovery Institute to train other professionals — dental hygienists, massage therapists, and physical therapists. With teaching, I share the same integrative principles that Allimeden was built on, equipping others to provide this essential care while also passionately expanding the scope of practice for dental hygienists. My mission is now about empowering professionals and patients alike to experience the profound benefits of integrative care,” she said.

Clark’s work exemplifies the evolving scope of dental hygiene and its potential to transform patient care beyond traditional settings. Her commitment to innovation, education, and advocacy is not only expanding the role of dental hygienists but also improving the lives of those who need specialized orofacial rehabilitation. As she continues to push the boundaries of integrative care, Clark’s efforts stand as an inspiring testament to the limitless possibilities within the field of dental hygiene.