Jenny Maxwell, RDH, BS, M. Ed.

People often ask why I chose mobile dental hygiene.

My answer is simple: there is an immense and growing need.

Our aging population deserves better access to preventive oral healthcare, yet too many are going without it. According to the Wisconsin Oral Health Program, as of 2018, one out of every two nursing home residents with natural teeth had unmet dental treatment needs. That statistic is more than a number — it represents pain, infection, difficulty eating, and a decline in overall health and dignity. It speaks to the urgency of this mission.

With over 15 years in dentistry — most of that time spent in private practice — I witnessed firsthand how important preventive care is. However, it wasn’t until the COVID-19 pandemic that I truly saw the depth of the barriers facing older adults in nursing homes.

In 2020, I was invited into a nursing facility to help implement a toothbrushing program. What I saw opened my eyes. Residents needed far more than basic oral hygiene support — they needed professional preventive care. They needed cleanings. They needed clinical expertise. They needed someone willing to come to them.

At first, I wasn’t even sure it was possible.

After extensive research and collaboration with legal experts, I learned that under Wisconsin Act 20, registered dental hygienists can practice independently without the supervision of a dentist. That discovery changed everything. It meant access to care could expand. It meant barriers could be removed.

In 2021, RDH Communications LLC was born.

Since then, we have conducted more than 300 dental screenings, provided professional cleanings, applied prescription fluoride treatments to help halt decay, and coordinated referrals with trusted dental partners in our communities. But beyond the numbers, what I am most proud of is the comfort, relief, and dignity we bring to each individual we serve.

Mobile dentistry allows me to meet extraordinary people — compassionate caregivers, devoted guardians, dedicated attorneys, and thoughtful dental partners who work together to advocate for residents who may not be able to voice their own needs. It allows me to be present, to listen, and to serve those who are often overlooked.

This work is about more than teeth.
It is about health.
It is about dignity.
It is about ensuring that no one is left behind simply because leaving their residence is no longer easy.

Together, we are closing a critical gap in healthcare — and making a meaningful difference, one smile at a time.

"Coming together is the beginning, keeping together is progress, working together is success." - Henry Ford