Meet The Team

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In 2007 legislation changed allowing Registered Dental Hygienist to work independently from Dentists. Darlene saw the opportunity to bring services to those in long term care facilities who could not access care for themselves. While doing this she was building a clientele of friends and family as well. It became apparent that she needed office space to accommodate those coming to see her. The first office opened in Hanover, which she soon outgrew. The next opened in Mt Forest on the corner of Hwy 6 and 89 but once space became available on Main St., she knew she had to have it. And that's where we have planted our feet. We're proud to be part of the Mt. Forest community. We have excellent neighbour's and fantastic community support. Michele joined her to accommodate the growing business. Because of her dedication to the business we can keep our doors open full time to our clients while Darlene can take care of her long term care clients with her mobile services. We certainly could not keep up with this pace without Salome to keep us organized. Thank goodness she answered the call to join our team. She is our treasured office assistant who will answer your calls and book your appointments. (Not to mention the other numerous duties that she takes off of our plate so we can focus on what we do best). And that's the story of Esteem Dental Hygiene! The End.

Darlene is the owner and creator of Esteem Dental Hygiene. After working 13 years as a Veterinary Technician, she felt it was time for a new path. She attended the University of Guelph and obtained her BSc.  While attending the U of G, she was accepted to the George Brown College Dental Hygiene program where she graduated with Honors as a Registered Dental Hygienist in  the spring of 2002.  After working a short stint in Ridgetown Ontario, her husband Shane landed an exciting job taking them to Victoria BC. Five years and two children later it was time to come home to be closer to family. Fortunately for her, it was around that time the Dental Hygienists finally achieved the right to self initiate so they could set up their own practice out from under the supervision of the Dental Association. This allowed us to expand our services outside of the Dental office and into the community. With that freedom she started a mobile service which brought much needed care into long term care facilities. She currently travels to eight different locations providing dental hygiene care to the residents of these facilities while working on Fridays at her office in Mt Forest. They say if you do what you love, you'll never work a day in your life. This holds true with Darlene. 

Michele began her career in the dental world 33 years ago working as a Dental Assistant on the Bruce Peninsula.

While still working in the drill & fill business,  she met her husband Tony at the Sauble Speedway where he raced stockcars. She must have taken a liking to his life in the fast lane, as this led to a move to Durham where they have now been married & settled  for 25 years. 

Her work as a Dental Assistant continued in Durham until 2009, until Michele decided to further her experience and pursued a career in Dental Hygiene. She attended Georgian College in Orillia, where she incidentally took her Dental Assisting course 20 years  earlier.  

Currently, she enjoys the ability to work as an Independent Dental Hygienist here at Esteem Dental Hygiene in Mount Forest.

Michele enjoys golf, slo-pitch, riding the trails on her side by side or snowmobile & summer trips to Manitoulin Island with Tony. 

But most of all, she loves the companionship & amusement provided by her Black Lab Gracie. 

Salome is the latest addition to our Esteem family, joining our office in February of 2023. We are thrilled to have her on board. She will greet you with a warm smile and sparkling personality to help you feel welcome and at ease. She was born in the Philippines and came to Canada in 1993. She fell in love with this area and has raised her family here for the past 30 years. She takes pride in running the front desk at Esteem Dental Hygiene and enjoys meeting members of the community as they come in for their appointments. If you're in the area, come in and say hi!