2024–2025 President-Elect of the Illinois Dental Hygienists’ Association (IDHA)

Tomika Johnson-Flowers didn’t take the traditional path into dentistry. As a single mom working part-time at UPS, she knew she needed a change. One prayer and a flip through the phone book later, she landed on the Illinois School of Health Careers and enrolled in their Dental Assisting Program. Within a month of completing her externship and earning her CDA, she knew she was destined for more—and began her journey toward becoming a Dental Hygienist.

After earning her Dental Hygiene degree from Kennedy King College, Tomika spent two decades in private practice. But when her kids started school, she picked up a part-time role with a local sealant program. What began as a side gig quickly ignited a passion for public health. She saw firsthand the gaps in care—not just for children, but for their families and school staff—who often had nowhere to turn for dental treatment.

Though she hadn’t always been active in ADHA or IDHA, Tomika’s frustration with unmet community needs pushed her to get involved. She heard whispers about the Public Health Dental Hygienist (PHDH) Certification and attended an IDHA Annual Session where someone claimed the program wasn’t gaining traction. That’s when Tomika stood up and said, “I’m interested!”—and shared her story. That moment sparked a movement, and she became one of the first to earn the PHDH certificate.

Tomika credits her professional growth to Dr. Kyra Barnes, who encouraged her to renew her ADHA membership and utilize the power of networking. She earned her Bachelor of Science from Minnesota State Mankato and a Master’s in Public Health from AT Still University. Since 2017, she’s been the sole full-time dental hygienist at TCA Health, an FQHC with two clinics, a mobile unit, and portable equipment for school-based care. She also serves on both the Employee Engagement and Continuous Quality Improvement Committees.  This year, Tomika stepped into the volunteer position of IDHA President.   Serving as the 2024-2025 IDHA President, she learned that sometimes her own agenda must be put aside, and representing the interests of all Illinois dental hygienists in policies and decision making becomes the priority.  This is especially true when making public statements! 

Working in an FQHC isn’t easy—but it’s deeply rewarding. Tomika often educates patients with low dental literacy about the oral-systemic health connection. She recalls one patient who was furious when her periodontal therapy was postponed due to high blood pressure. Tomika calmly explained the risks and refused to proceed without medical clearance. The patient returned weeks later, hugged her, and said, “You stood your ground—and probably saved my life.”

Thanks to her FQHC role, Tomika receives robust benefits, including medical and dental insurance, federal liability coverage, and a 401(k) match. She also received a grant from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) to help fund her MPH. TCA’s generous PTO policy supports her work as a Colgate Ambassador and longtime COHA Board member, a role she’s held since 2013. She loves traveling to conferences and connecting with colleagues nationwide.

Tomika also teaches as an adjunct professor at Prairie State College, mentoring Dental Assisting students and encouraging them to pursue Dental Hygiene. She serves on the IFLOSS Board and recently completed her term as IDHA President.

Her advice to fellow hygienists?

“Don’t give up on Dental Hygiene! Burnout is real, but our field offers so many paths. We’ve invested too much in our education and careers to walk away.”

Thank you, Tomika, for all that you continue to do for our profession and the underserved members of your community!

This blog post was authored by IDHA Membership Committee Member Karen Webster