Great Leaps in Leadership

For Jessica Scruggs, the transition into a leadership role came naturally and swiftly. Initially hired as a Hygienist, Jessica soon grew into a valued instructor and role model to other Aspen Dental Hygienists. “I was offered a Hygiene Coach position within a year of working with Aspen Dental. And I'm looking forward to future areas of growth within the company,” said Jessica. As the company expands, so too does Jessica's career and role in its development.

I was looking for a position that could offer
me room to grow—not
only as a provider,
but also as a leader.

Jessica now oversees clinical Hygiene services for two offices in the Pacific Northwest, and is the Northwest Regional Hygiene Coach, where she provides training and mentorship for Hygienists in states including Oregon, Washington, Nebraska, and Iowa.

In her free time, Jessica enjoys yoga, hiking, and gardening. She describes herself as “50% science nerd and 50% hippy”—a combination that she says balances the other out. Jessica has also taught dental assisting for 3 years in Washington State, where she developed lecture and clinical courses including radiology and general chair side dental assisting.

“I am never bored and I am always challenged. The population we work with is always forcing me to think outside of the box in order to find new ways to motivate them,” said Jessica. It is Jessica's unique focus, skillset and ingenuity that helps young Hygienists develop in their careers even as Jessica grows in her own role.