Derik has recently gained national recognition with the publication of his series Breaking Chains: The Case for Dental Hygienists’ Autonomy, along with numerous articles and podcast interviews. His work lays out the research and makes the case that autonomy and self-governance for the profession is the evidence-based, ethical solution for modernizing dentistry, expanding access to care, and overhauling a system still operating under Victorian-era ideologies. He brings a wealth of knowledge and perspective to the field, drawing on his combined 20 years of experience as both a registered dental hygienist and a certified dental laboratory technician, alongside graduate-level education and involvement in public health, business, and legal research. Derik is an inaugural fellow of the American Dental Hygienists’ Association and currently serves as President of Virginia’s Chapter.