Today we’d like to introduce you to Megan Hanks.
Hi Megan, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
My path in dentistry started early, I began working in the dental field at 16 years old in Anchorage, Alaska, as a sterilization tech. After high school, I went on to complete a dental assisting program and then later hygiene school, so my career really grew step by step from the ground up.
After moving to Oregon in 2019, I discovered that dental hygienists here can practice independently, which was something I hadn’t known before. That realization was a huge turning point for me. It shifted the way I thought about my future and sparked the vision of creating something of my own. After the pandemic, I earned my expanded practice permit and started building toward that goal.
In February 2024, I began working independently in Springfield, operating my clinic out of a tattoo shop. It was an unconventional setup, but it made sense because both environments rely heavily on proper sterilization and infection control, so it worked surprisingly well. Life took a slight turn and I ended up moving to Charleston in December 2024, yet I stayed committed to the vision I had been working toward.
When a 1966 Airstream came into my life, and I immediately knew it was the right fit. It wasn’t just a practical solution for a mobile clinic, it also felt distinctive and full of personality. It gave me a way to create something memorable, accessible, and true to my vision.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
I can’t say it’s been a completely smooth road. Starting an independent clinic was a major financial undertaking, especially with the cost of equipment, supplies, and everything needed to get up and running. On top of that, building a clientele takes time. You can have a really strong month with a lot of new patients, but because many of them return on a six-month schedule, the following month often means starting over again and bringing in a new wave of patients. That part is challenging, but it’s also just the nature of growing this kind of practice.
Once I got the Airstream, I knew it was going to be a big renovation project, but I don’t think I fully realized just how much it would involve. I spent 10 months working on it nonstop, stripping it down to the bones and rebuilding it while also continuing to work at another dental office. It became far more time-intensive and demanding than I had originally expected.
So no, it hasn’t exactly been smooth…but I think that’s part of building something from scratch. There have been financial challenges, physical labor, uncertainty, and a lot of persistence involved. At the same time, every obstacle has made me more committed to the vision and more proud of what I’ve built.
As you know, we’re big fans of Bona Fide Hygiene Care. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
My clinic is built around prevention, accessibility, and affordability. Over the course of my career, I’ve seen firsthand how broken parts of the healthcare system can be, especially in dentistry. I’ve seen treatment decisions influenced by what insurance will or will not cover, and I’ve seen how expensive it can be for someone to simply walk through the door. In many traditional settings, a person cannot “just get a cleaning”, they are often required to have full X-rays and a dentist exam first, each with additional charges, so that first out-of-pocket visit can easily cost hundreds of dollars.
That experience played a major role in shaping what I wanted my clinic to be. I wanted to create something that is not only accessible, but affordable for everyday people. My focus is prevention and overall health. I do take X-rays, but I provide them as a complementary part of care because I believe patients should be able to get important information about their oral health without every step feeling like another financial hurdle.
Because I am not a dentist, I do not diagnose treatment needs, but after nearly 25 years in the dental field, I can absolutely triage. I’m able to give patients an educated, honest opinion based on what I see clinically and on radiographs, and I think that matters to people. They know my recommendations are not tied to what I can make from treatment, because I am not the one profiting from restorative procedures. My role is to help them understand what they’re seeing, support their prevention, and guide them toward the next right step when needed.
Another important part of my work is helping patients feel comfortable. So many people carry deep-rooted fear, shame, or anxiety around dental care, and I take special pride in easing those fears. I want people to feel safe, respected, and never judged. Creating a calm, welcoming environment where patients can rebuild trust in dental care is something that matters deeply to me, and it is one of the parts of my work I’m most proud of.
What sets my clinic apart is that it is built on trust, transparency, and a different philosophy of care. I operate out of a renovated 1966 Airstream, which makes the brand visually memorable, but the deeper difference is really in the model itself: approachable, community-centered, prevention-focused, and designed to lower barriers to care. I want people to know that oral health is deeply connected to overall health, and that taking care of your mouth is not separate from taking care of your body. Our whole body is interconnected, and oral health truly does matter far beyond the teeth alone.
What I’m most proud of, brand-wise, is that this clinic reflects exactly what I set out to build: something honest, distinctive, and rooted in service. It is not about pushing treatment. It is about helping people access care, understand their health, and feel supported in a way that is both practical and personal.
In terms of your work and the industry, what are some of the changes you are expecting to see over the next five to ten years?
Over the next 5 to 10 years, I truly hope to see more independent dental hygienists and a broader understanding of the role hygienists can play in the healthcare system. Historically, dentistry has been a very hierarchical industry, and in many ways it still is. I think that structure has often undervalued the full scope of what dental hygienists are trained to do.
I believe hygienists are the specialists of prevention and maintenance. Just as dentistry has oral surgeons, periodontists, and orthodontists, hygienists are the professionals specifically trained in preventive care. We evaluate and treat periodontal disease, provide cleanings, educate patients on home care, discuss the effects of diet on oral health, support tobacco cessation, and perform oral cancer screenings. That is a significant and valuable role in healthcare.
I think one of the biggest shifts we could see is a move toward greater recognition of hygienists as independent providers of preventive care, with dentists serving more directly in the diagnosis and treatment role when needed. In my view, there is no reason patients should not be able to see an independent hygienist for preventive services and then be referred to a dentist when actual treatment needs arise. That model could improve access, lower barriers to care, and make the system work better for everyday people.
I also hope the industry continues moving toward more affordable, prevention-focused care overall. Too often, patients delay care because of cost, complexity, or the structure of the traditional dental model. I think the future should look more flexible, more collaborative, and more centered on getting people the level of care they need without unnecessary barriers.
At the heart of it, I would love to see the industry better recognize that prevention is not secondary, it is foundational. I think independent hygienists can play a major role in that shift.
Pricing:
- Adult cleaning (Prophylaxis) or Periodontal Maintenance: $110
- Scaling and Root Planing (Deep cleaning): starting at $110 (can vary based on severity)
- X-rays and Fluoride treatment: Complementary
- Custom Fabricated Nightguard (soft): $100
- Custom Fabricated Bleach Trays (upper and lower with whitening agent): $200
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Www.bonafidehygienecare.com
- Instagram: https://Www.instagram.com/bonafide_hygienecare
Image Credits
Selfie Stick 🙂
