This past Saturday evening, I had the unexpected honour of hearing my name called at The Denobi Awards.

I travelled to Portland, Oregon on Friday with my husband and met up with my dear friend, Jo-Anne Jones, and her husband. We actually nominated each other for this award. Out of hundreds of nominations globally, we both made it to the shortlist of 50 individuals.

I was shortlisted last year (and still don’t know who nominated me — so thank you if you are reading this), but I was unable to attend. I made sure that wouldn’t happen this year.

To be surrounded by dental professionals from around the world — individuals making an extraordinary difference in so many ways — was incredibly humbling. The Denobi Awards celebrate impact across dentistry. Not just clinical excellence, but leadership, service, advocacy, innovation, and heart.

I was emotional right from the start when co-founders Melissa Turner and Sonya Dunbar shared their “why” behind creating the Denobi Awards.

There is a play on words:

The Den (for Dental) + Da Nobodies.

All this time, I thought Denobi was named after someone well-known. Instead, it represents the so-called “da nobodies” — the unsung heroes quietly making a massive impact on our profession and the world.

Hearing the stories of those being honoured — the difference they are making behind the scenes — gave me goosebumps. I was already emotional… so when I heard my name called, I was even more so.

My journey began on the dental assisting track back in 1985. I spent 20 years full-time as a dental hygienist in clinical practice, loving every moment and building lifelong friendships with incredible dental teams.

Along the way, I kept noticing gaps.
Things that could be improved.
Systems that could be elevated.

I have always had a natural inclination to fix things — to look for ways to make them better, to help fellow RDHs thrive, and to truly love what they do… because the work we do is so incredibly important.

Over the years, I have created several businesses and programs designed to support and elevate our profession — all with one underlying mission:

To help transform the dental hygiene experience — for the clinician, the client, and the practice.

That mission became the foundation of rdhu:
Transforming the Dental Hygiene Experience.

To be recognized among peers for that work is something I will always remember and cherish.

It was a beautiful reminder that sometimes the work we do quietly, consistently, and passionately… is seen.

And then, just like that, I traded the red carpet for the runway — heading north to Vancouver for the Pacific Dental Conference.

Two very different settings.
One common thread.

Community.

There is something powerful about gathering — whether in celebration or in learning. Both moments stretch us. Both remind us why we do what we do.

And this is why I love our profession so much.

This week at PDC, I’ll be stepping into something that has been part of my professional journey for decades: instrumentation.

If you’re attending the conference, I would absolutely love for you to join me at The Sharpening Lab™.

I will also be at the Curion booth (Booth #921) on Thursday — please come say hello. I would love to connect, take a picture, spend some time with you at the booth, and see you in The Sharpening Lab.

From celebration… to education.
From recognition… to refinement.

With gratitude from Vancouver,

Kathleen

Kathleen Bokrossy, RDH, BSc ~ Founder | President