Candy Velez is an active professional member of the American Dental Hygienists' Association (ADHA) and serves as the Highlands County Representative for the Atlantic Coast Dental Hygienists' Association (ACDHA).
In addition, she maintains membership with The American Academy for Oral Systemic Health (AAOSH).
In addition to practicing clinically, Candy currently serves on the Florida Board of Dentistry's Council on Dental Hygiene, and she was the recipient of the Swann D. Knowles Award in 2020.
The Swan D. Knowles Award honors one hygienist from the state of Florida for their grassroots efforts in service and dedication to the dental hygiene profession.
Everyone Is a Human Being: Choosing to Create Better Workplace Culture
We All Have the Superpower of CHOICE By: Candy Velez, CRDH, BSDH, IGNITEDDS Dental Hygiene Coach When…
Silence Fuels Negativity, Leadership Requires Communication
Learning to Communicate Is Learning to Lead By: Candy Velez, CRDH, BSDH, IGNITEDDS Dental Hygiene Coach In…
Stop Choosing Sides: The Secret Ingredient for Next-Gen Dentistry Is Fusion
By: Candy Velez, CRDH, BSDH, IGNITEDDS Dental Hygiene Coach For a long time, dentistry has lived in…
Want Better Results? Make It Easier
Remove Friction – Unlock Consistency By: Candy Velez, CRDH, BSDH, IGNITEDDS Dental Hygiene Coach The Question That…
Are You Unknowingly Rewarding the Wrong Thing?
The Hidden Messages Behind Our Praise (a Reflection for Dental Leaders) By: Candy Velez, CRDH, BSDH, IGNITEDDS…
The Freedom Framework Week Three: The Power of Flow
Creating Freedom Through Structure, Alignment, and Leadership By: Candy Velez, CRDHIGNITEDDS Dental Hygiene Coach Missed Week One…
The Freedom Framework Week Two: Releasing Money Blocks & Embracing Stewardship
By: Candy Velez, CRDH IGNITEDDS Dental Hygiene Coach Let’s talk about a topic that can make even…
The Freedom Framework Week One: Breaking the Invisible Handcuffs
Awareness: Seeing What Restricts Your Growth and Steals Your Energy By: Candy Velez – CRDH, BSDH Welcome…
Your License, Your Reputation, Your Responsibility: Lessons from Dr. A.R.
Closing the Series & Applying These Insights to Your Practice By: Candy Velez – CRDH, BSDH When…
Ghosted by Your Dentist: When Poor Communication Becomes Patient Abandonment
Understanding Patient Abandonment – Lessons from Dr. A.R. By: Candy Velez – CRDH, BSDH Imagine calling your…
Why the Money Isn’t Showing Up: Part 2
The Front Desk Systems That Make or Break Cash FlowDid you miss Part One? Catch up on Why the Money Isn’t Showing Up, Part 1 👉 By: Dawn Patrick, COO and Dental Business Strategy Coach, IGNITEDDS Let’s be honest — Cash flow problems usually don’t start with insurance. They start with unclear financial conversations. 1….
Buying a Dental Practice Is the Easy Part—Earning the Team’s Trust Is the Real Work
By: Ronda Holman Purchasing an existing dental practice offers a significant advantage: a team that already knows your patients, systems, and practice culture. However, one critical factor doesn’t automatically transfer with ownership—trust. Building trust with your new team requires intention, patience, and thoughtful leadership. 1. Listen More Than You Lead in the First Weeks When…
Would It Even Matter If I Wasn’t Here?
By: Eric Recker I froze. Where were those thoughts coming from and why were they in MY head? It was the end of yet another chaotic day in my practice. A day of all alone at the top as my team of eighteen left the office to go about their normal lives outside of the…
How Young Dentists Can Succeed with Debt
By: Dr. James Pitts As a former practicing General Dentist, I understand the challenges all Dentists face concerning debt. Over the last 10 years, the student loan debt problem has reached crisis levels. The cost of dental education has risen faster than inflation, leaving most young Dentists with student loan debt of $400,000 or more….
The Importance of Caries Risk Assessment and Management
By: Lee Ann Brady, DMDThis article originally appeared on Pankey.org. Dr. Brady granted permission for igniteDDS to share with our readers. For most of us, caries risk assessment feels second nature; we’ve been trained to do it from the start. Diagnosing caries and periodontal disease are among the first skills we develop in dental school. Early…
Top 5 Mistakes Dentists Make When Starting a Practice & How to Avoid Them
By: Dr. David Rice There is no moment more exciting, or more overwhelming, than building your dream dental practice from the ground up. But with no patient base, no production history, and endless decisions to make, a start-up can either launch your self-determined future or trap you in stress, debt, and discouragement. We coach fearless, trailblazing…
The Guilt Dental Professionals Feel When They’re Not Working
Why Stepping Away From Dentistry Can Feel So Uncomfortable By: Dr. Sable Muntean For many dental professionals, time away from the office doesn’t feel restful—it feels wrong. Even on days off, vacations, or quiet evenings at home, there’s often a low hum of guilt in the background: This isn’t laziness. This isn’t poor time management….
Why Reviewing Your Financial Plan Matters More Than You Think
By: Todd Doobrow, CFP According to an article from the Wall Street Journal, “the average person spends about 40 hours planning a week-long vacation, yet less than an hour a year on their finances.” With that in mind, we know many financial advisors are currently generating comprehensive financial plan documents representing the year ending 2025….
Saliva-Based Diagnostics for Preventive and Holistic Oral Care
By: Kelley Brummett, DMD This Article Originally Appeared in PankeyGram.Org. Dr. Brummett granted permission for igniteDDS to share with our readers. Addressing Oral Inflammation with Saliva Testing In the pursuit of providing exceptional dental care, focusing on holistic oral health is essential. Addressing inflammation and limiting the risk of infection in patients is not just about…
Are You Unknowingly Rewarding the Wrong Thing?
The Hidden Messages Behind Our Praise (a Reflection for Dental Leaders) By: Candy Velez, CRDH, BSDH, IGNITEDDS Dental Hygiene Coach As a leader or manager of a dental practice, have you ever considered how your words of praise are actually received by your team? As a hygienist — and as a coach who focuses on…