One of the perks of being a member of RDHAP Connect is being featured in a member spotlight on our website and social media pages. Today we’re spotlighting Paula Grieco, RDHAP. Read below for our interview with Paula!
My name is Paula Grieco, and I’m a proud native of Fresno, California. Over the years, I explored many different roles before ultimately deciding to pursue a career in dental hygiene. I returned to college later in life and graduated from the Dental Hygiene program at Fresno City College in 2018, at the age of 33. Returning to school was a major milestone, but it didn’t feel like the end of my educational journey. I was driven to keep going, partly because of how long it had taken me to start, and partly because I feared losing momentum. In 2019, I earned a bachelor’s degree in Community Health from Fresno State University, followed by a master’s degree in Administration from CSU Bakersfield in 2020.
At this time, I had planned to take a break from further education. I was, and still am, working for a Dental Service Organization. I was also helping launch two new dental offices in California and played an active role in building and growing those practices. That experience gave me confidence and a deeper understanding of practice development, and I found myself thinking, “I can do more—I want more from my career.” I was particularly inspired to serve elderly patients and those facing barriers to traditional dental care. This began in hygiene school, where I developed a strong interest in working with periodontal patients and was honored to receive the Western Society of Periodontology award at graduation. That passion led me to pursue my RDHAP license, which I obtained from California North State University in 2022.
In October 2023, I launched my own mobile dental hygiene practice, Dental Hygiene Practice of Paula Grieco. Upon joining RDHAP Connect, I secured my first consulting role with a behavioral health provider. That collaboration opened my eyes to the unique needs of patients with special needs. Thus far, we have successfully helped several children return to in-office care, often avoiding the need for full sedation.
My practice is still growing. Like many small business owners, I’ve encountered challenges early on, but they’ve also helped shape the mission of my work: to provide high-quality dental hygiene services to individuals with limited access to care. This includes older adults, patients with special needs, or those facing logistical or financial barriers. I currently provide services in patients’ homes, community centers, assisted living facilities, and medical or dental offices. My equipment is portable, allowing me to meet patients where they are.
I collaborate with multiple dentists and offer patients options to ensure they can choose the provider that best suits their needs, including geographic accessibility, since many face transportation challenges. For payment, I accept cash, checks, and credit cards, and I bill insurance regardless of network status to ensure documentation is in place for future eligibility or provider transitions. After treatment, I follow up with patients to schedule recare appointments and track how they discovered my practice. I also stay connected with referring facilities to ensure my contact information is accessible, thereby maintaining continuity of care.
Through my work, I’ve come to deeply understand the hardships that caregivers face when trying to access dental care for their loved ones. These experiences have only strengthened my belief in the vital role RDHAPs play in bridging care gaps within our communities. I strongly advocate for the continued growth of RDHAP roles and meaningful interprofessional collaboration to ensure patients receive comprehensive, accessible care.
I’m extremely grateful to the many professionals who have helped me navigate the journey of starting my practice and who continue to support this endeavor. If you have any questions or would like more information about my practice or about starting your own, I’d be happy to connect. You can reach me at paulag@paulasdentalhygiene.com, (559) 395-1991, or via Facebook at Dental Hygiene Practice of Paula Grieco, RDHAP, INC.
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