An Albert Lea dental hygienist wants her patients to feel comfortable and be completely healthy.

Nguyen Pham — a 2010 University of Minnesota graduate — works at Uptown Dental.

Pham, 27, started at Uptown Dental in 2013.

As a dental hygienist, Pham cleans teeth, places sealants, takes X-rays and checks for gum diseases.

She said the most important aspect of her position, however, is educating patients on the need to brush and flush teeth.

She said having a healthy mouth makes you feel more confident and healthier because the mouth connects to the rest of the body.

Pham — a native of Vietnam — immigrated to the United States when she was 11 and grew up in Bloomington.

She said she remembered a lack of preventative care in Vietnam, noting that motivated her to enter the profession.

She said she enjoys interacting with patients and helping people smile more and have healthier gums.

She met her husband, Hung Vu — a dentist at the office — when they were both at the University of Minnesota. She said they are looking to buy a house in town with their 3-month-old child.

Pham said all ages are welcome at the office, noting the office is seeing success with placing braces.

She said the office has two dental hygienists and will soon add a third, noting more patients are welcome.

Pham previously worked at We Care Dental in Big Lake on weekends.