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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…
When the Same Problems Repeat, It Is Not the People
By: Garrett Wilson Let’s face it. One of your core responsibilities as a leader is navigating people and business challenges at the same time. When the same problems show up month after month, the issue is no longer external. It is internal. This is not a workforce crisis. It is an operating model problem. Dentistry…
Limitations of Digital Dentistry: When Technology Falls Short
By: Kelley Brummett, DMD This Article Originally Appeared in PankeyGram.Org. Dr. Brummet granted permission for igniteDDS to share with our readers. As digital dentistry continues to revolutionize the way we practice dentistry, the functional capacity of the new tools, ease of use, and efficiency make them indispensable for modern practice workflows. However, even the most advanced technologies…
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 or Two? Check them out here:Week One: Breaking the Invisible HandcuffsWeek Two: Releasing Money Blocks & Embracing Stewardship Once you’ve broken the invisible handcuffs and reframed your relationship with money, the next step is where everything comes together…
Meaningful Ways New Dentists Can Show Gratitude to Their Team During the Holidays
…Without Spending Much Money By: Ronda Holman The holiday season is a perfect opportunity for new dentists to strengthen team culture and show appreciation—without stretching the budget. In a dental practice, genuine gestures speak louder than expensive gifts. Here are simple, memorable ways to express gratitude that your employees will truly appreciate. Write Personal, Handwritten…
Endo Made Simple Part 3: Obturation
By: Michael Eid Missed Parts 1 & 2? Check Them Out Here: Step 1: Final Canal Check High-Yield Tip: If a 10 doesn’t pass now, it won’t after obturation. Step 2: Dry the Canal High-Yield Tip: Moisture = weak sealer seal and post-op sensitivity. Step 3: Select the Master Cone High-Yield Tip: No tug-back = poor…
How Dentists Can Navigate Holiday Parties Without ‘Talking Teeth’ All Night
By: Dr. Sable Muntean Holiday parties are supposed to be fun—good food, good music, good company. But if you’re a dentist, you know how it really goes: You walk in the door, grab a drink, and within five minutes someone is pointing at a molar and saying, “Since you’re here… can I ask you something?”…
The PPO Trap for Startups & Acquisitions: Moving into Ownership in 2026? This Is for You!
By: Angela Holland, Founder of Preferred Dental SolutionsInsurance Expert and Strategy Consultant for Dental PracticesPreferredDentalSolutions.com Insurance Decisions That Can Make or Break New Dental Practices If you’re launching or buying a dental practice, insurance decisions can make or break your first three years. Too many new owners sign onto every PPO “just to get patients…
Keeping Gingival Crevice Healthy
By: Pankey GramTopic Originally appeared on PankeyGram.org Gingival crevice is the space between the marginal gingiva and the tooth surface. Keeping it healthy, means knowing effective tooth preparation techniques that don’t block the passage of gingival crevice fluid with restoration materials. Many soft tissue inflammation, like gingivitis and periodontitis can occur as a result of…
The Practice Profitability Playbook: Part 3
Part 3: Clinical Control — Diagnose with Confidence, Present with Clarity By: Dawn Patrick, Business Strategy Coach, IGNITEDDS Even the most profitable practice can struggle if patients don’t accept treatment consistently. Clinical Control ensures that your team delivers excellent care and communicates it effectively, so patients understand the value and say yes to recommended treatment….
How to Stay Sane During December’s Patient Rush: A Dentist’s Guide to Balance
By: Dr. Sable Muntean December is a special kind of chaos for dental professionals. It’s the perfect storm: patients trying to use the last of their insurance benefits, parents squeezing in appointments before school break, and an endless stream of “Can you fit me in before the holidays?” messages. The pressure hits fast, and hard….









