Hollister residents now have access to a unique dental care option. Vanessa Salinas has opened the city’s first dental hygiene practice, Vibrant Smiles Dental Hygiene, offering specialized services outside the traditional dental office model.
Salinas, a Registered Dental Hygienist in Alternative Practice, launched Vibrant Smiles in July with the goal of providing a focused, patient-centered approach to oral health. Unlike conventional dental offices, her practice operates without a dentist on site.
“The main difference from a traditional office is that there is no dentist here,” Salinas explained. “I focus on pure hygiene, and dentists focus on teeth.”
Vibrant Smiles is designed to complement, rather than replace, traditional dental care. The practice specializes in routine procedures such as teeth cleanings, fluoride treatments, and sealants. Salinas noted that many patients seek her services because they are apprehensive about visiting a dentist.
“I’ve been in dentistry for 17 years, and I’ve seen that patients often avoid the dentist,” she said. “People simply don’t like going.”
Her practice emphasizes a more relaxed experience. Patients are welcomed into a space with olive green accents, soft background music, and floral arrangements that create a calming environment. The focus is on one-on-one care and making routine dental hygiene less intimidating.
“People want to come in and just get their teeth cleaned,” Salinas said. “I wanted to remove the stress usually associated with dental visits.”
Vibrant Smiles also offers mobile services, bringing care directly to schools, fire academies, and nursing facilities. This approach allows patients who may be mobility-impaired or have scheduling challenges to receive treatment without leaving their location.
“I bring my own dental office to them,” Salinas said. “They don’t even have to move.” She emphasized that she is committed to making care accessible, including for patients without insurance or those seeking affordable options.
Cost is another significant difference. Salinas keeps her prices low, offering services at rates that may be half the price of traditional dental offices. She hopes her model will inspire other hygienists to establish community-based practices or mobile services.
Salinas’s journey into dentistry began at Hollister High School, where she participated in a collaborative program with Gavilan College exploring dental assisting. Since then, she has earned multiple degrees in dental practice and taught dental hygiene at Cabrillo College. Even while raising four children and working full-time, she is pursuing a pre-dental degree from Arizona State University.
“I didn’t ever want my daughter to see me give up,” Salinas said, reflecting on her motivation. Her goal extends beyond patient care; she plans to create an educational component within Vibrant Smiles to train and support other hygienists.