Kandice Swarthout is a Registered Dental Hygienist and Licensed Professional Counselor with nearly 30 years of experience in dentistry and over a decade in mental health. She is trained in Accelerated Resolution Therapy, a trauma-focused treatment modality, and serves as an educator in Texas, teaching community and research courses to future dental professionals.

A passionate advocate for human trafficking awareness, Kandice is the founder of Reclaim Smiles, a free dental day for survivors living in safe houses. She is an approved provider of human trafficking training for healthcare professionals through Texas Health and Human Services and speaks nationally on trauma- informed care, clinician wellness, and mental health in dentistry.

Kandice is the author of the Mental Health Spotlight column in Today’s RDH and was awarded the Sunstar Award of Distinction in 2025 for her research focused on trafficking survivors. She is an AGD PACE-approved provider of continuing education and the co-founder of Muffins & Mimosas Dental Study Club, offering innovative, relevant CE to dental professionals nationwide.

You can follow or contact Kandice on social media at The Counselor Hygienist.