Michelle Strange, MSDH, RDH, has published Independent by Design: A Dental Hygienist's Journey to Practice Ownership, a book that draws on her experiences across multiple areas of dental hygiene, including private practice, public health, long-term care, mobile dentistry, and practice ownership.
Independent by Design is intended for dental hygienists at different stages of their careers and emphasizes that there is no single path within the profession. The book encourages readers to explore opportunities for professional growth, career development, and practice ownership while reflecting on the challenges and decisions that can shape a career.
Strange describes the book as being written for hygienists who may feel limited in their career options. A promotional statement notes, “For every hygienist who thinks the only options are suffer quietly, burn it all down, or leave — there's a third way, and this book is the proof.”
Another summary highlights her career transition: “She sold everything, roamed the country as a nomad hygienist, and came out the other side a practice owner. The whole ride is in the book.”
A third statement focuses on lessons learned through building a business: “Michelle Strange made the expensive mistakes so you don’t have to — this book is her telling you what to watch for.”
Strange is a practicing dental hygienist with more than 25 years of experience in the dental field. After beginning her career as a dental assistant, she earned a bachelor’s degree in health science from the Medical University of South Carolina and a master’s degree in dental hygiene education from the University of Bridgeport. She also holds certificates in dental infection prevention and control, myofunctional therapy, interim restorative therapies, and neuromodulators.
In addition to founding MichelleStrangeRDH and Level Up Infection Prevention, Strange became the owner of Smile Logic, a Colorado-based dental hygiene practice, in 2025. According to her practice biography, she spent three years traveling throughout the United States after selling her belongings in 2021 before eventually settling in Colorado.
Beyond her clinical work and educational initiatives, Strange hosts A Strange Curiosity, a video podcast presented by Inside Dental Hygiene. The series explores trends, products, technology, and clinical techniques relevant to dental hygienists and other dental professionals. The most recent episode, Tools for Patient Engagement, features Strange and Alicia Murria, RDH, MS, discussing how Dental Care Alliance supports patient education and engagement through clinical tools and its DCA Career Academy learning platform.
Independent by Design: A Dental Hygienist's Journey to Practice Ownership is available through Amazon at https://www.amazon.com/Independent-Design-Hygienists-Practice-Ownership-ebook/dp/B0H8WJDW82/
The latest episode of A Strange Curiosity, Tools for Patient Engagement, is available at https://www.aegisdentalnetwork.com/tv/a-strange-curiosity/a-strange-curiosity---tools-for-patient-engagement.
Figures and Images
