Lauren Michelle Williams, RDH (Registered Dental Hygienist for Andrew Achord, DMD at Achord Family Dentistry in Flowood, MS).
“I work for Andrew Achord, DMD at Achord Family Dentistry in Flowood, MS. I’m 28. I have a three year old son named Brooks. I live in Brandon, MS and grew up in Meridian, MS where I graduated from Clarkdale High School. I’ve also been a member of the MS Army National Guard for a little over 10 years.”
How did you get into dentistry?
“I was in Allied Health in high school and knew I wanted to do something in the healthcare field, but after shadowing several positions, I knew I didn’t want to be in a hospital setting. My mom is a dental assistant, so I decided to shadow in a dental office. I thought what the hygienist did was really interesting, so I decided to pursue that for myself.”
What makes you happy about working in the dental field, specifically as a Registered Dental Hygienist?
“I enjoy helping patients be more proud of their smile, and I love watching a patient’s progress over time after raising the dental IQ with patient education.”
What is your favorite quote/saying/verse that inspires you?
“My ‘life verse’ is…”And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.”
Romans 8:28
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Linda Zakkak RDH, BSBA, MPH (Registered Dental Hygienist at Beach View Family Dental)
Linda has over 25 years of experience in clinical dental hygiene and has been with Beach View Family Dental for 15 years. After graduating from the University of Tel-Aviv, Linda became licensed to practice in the State of Israel, the Province of Ontario, Canada, and Mississippi.
Linda is an active member of the dental hygiene community on the local and state level. She served as President of the Gulf Coast component for 5 years. She also served as treasurer and President of the Mississippi Dental Hygiene Association in 2007. She is a member of the International Congress of Oral Implantology and the American Dental Hygiene Association. She is also a consultant member of the Commission on Dental Competency Assessments.
How did you get into dentistry?
“I was recruited into the dental field by an oral surgeon. I was working as an accounting intern when he asked if I can help him out since his surgical assistant was out on medical leave. After several months, he started to talk to me about dental hygiene. Dental Hygiene was a relatively new field in Israel. Upon graduating I found out that I was the first Arab dental hygienist in the State of Israel. The following year I spent educating the Arab population on the importance of dental hygiene and preventative care.”
What makes you happy about working in the dental field, specifically as a Registered Dental Hygienist?
“The patients!!! Every patient is special. It still amazes me what you can learn from your patients if you just listen to them. They enrich my life daily.”
What is your favorite quote/saying/verse that inspires you?
“Your talent is God’s gift to you. What you do with it is your gift back to God.” -Leo Buscaglia
“My other favorite quote on attitude: There is always a choice about the way you do your work even if there is no choice about the work itself.” – Stephen C. Lundin
Mississippi Dental Hygienists' Association 