Ying “Jacky” Zhang

Hygienist Ying Zhang—who goes by Jacky—has never had a bad experience at the dentist. “So I guess I’m lucky,” he says. “A lot of people with dental phobias today had bad experiences before, but it doesn’t have to be that way.”

Jacky first got into dentistry because he couldn’t imagine himself at a desk job. “I love hands-on work, and I love meeting new people,” he says. But he soon realized it was a natural fit for him: “I’m always organized and professional, and I think that makes patients feel like they’re in good hands.”

At the end of the day, though, it’s all about encouragement. “There’s no pressure, no shame,” he says. “We’ll take things slowly so you’re comfortable. When I have a patient who starts feeling good about coming to the dentist again, I know I’m doing the right thing. That’s really what I’m here to do.”