About Us
Better talent, aligned teams.
Aligned talent was built from inside the local dental community to provide a more personal, trusted approach to hiring.
With over 25 years experience in dentistry and 18 years educating future hygienists in the Kalamazoo community, Melissa brings firsthand experience, trusted relationships, and a deep understanding of what makes a placement truly successful.
This isn’t about sending endless resumes. It’s about thoughtfully aligning the right people with the right practices. This is how teams grow and hires last.
Our Values
Meaningful Relationships
We believe meaningful professional relationships create stronger teams, better workplaces, and long-term success.
Alignment by Culture
While we value skills, we also consider culture, communication, personality, and pace to ensure long-term placement.
Community Built
Aligned talent was built within the community it serves: the Kalamazoo and Portage dental network. Our work is grounded in trust, local connection, and firsthand experience.
Retention Over Transaction
Our goal is not simply to place candidates. We help practices build lasting teams through thoughtful onboarding and retention support.
Integrity in Every Recommendation
We stand behind professionals we recommend and approach every placement with honesty, care, and professionalism.
Support Beyond the Hire
We believe placement exceeds far beyond the hiring process and requires long-term connection and support.
About Melissa
Melissa is a Registered Dental Hygienist with 25 years of private practice and clinical instruction experience. She maintains positions as a Faculty member and Advisory Board member for the Dental Hygiene program at Kalamazoo Valley Community College.
From her to you
“Twenty-five years in the operatory. Eighteen years developing professionals. A lifetime in our local dental community. I am locally made. I am a clinician, educator, and mentor dedicated to strengthening our industry from the inside out. My mission is simple: utilizing decades of local relationships to bridge the gap between talented dental professionals and the practices that need them.
Over the years, I have found the most rewarding part of my profession is building relationships and earning trust. I take pride in the trust I have earned with my patients, co-workers, and students. I am now using that experience to help good people find the right place to do meaningful work.
Whether you’re a lifelong clinician or a recent grad I’ve had in the classroom, I’m here to help.”
Frequently Asked Questions
How is Aligned Talent Different
Aligned talent provides a personalized and relationship-driven approach to finding talent. We are locally grown, owned and operated. We focus on carefully aligned matches through trusted local connections.
Do you only help place hygienists?
While dental hygienists are our specialty, we also assist practices in finding other dental professionals.
What areas do you serve?
Aligned talent currently serves dental practices throughout the Kalamazoo, Portage and surrounding areas.
How does Aligned Talent vet candidates?
Candidates are carefully screened through professional references, credential verification, experience evaluation and personal insight gathered through years of involvement in the local dental community.
How many candidates will we receive?
We focus on quality over quantity. Rather than overwhelming practices with resumes, we typically present a small number of aligned candidates worth serious consideration.
What is the first step to working together?
The process begins with a discovery conversation where we learn about your practice, team culture, and hiring goals. This will lead to a face to face, tour of practice and mutual decisions on a pathway forward.