Yuka Hanzawa

Hello! My name is Yuka Hanzawa. I was born and raised in Japan, where I worked with great enthusiasm as a dental hygienist for ten and a half years. During this time, I also obtained a certification in periodontology and gained extensive experience in preventive oral care.

In 2023, I moved to the Netherlands with my husband and our dog. Starting a new life in a different country also meant a new beginning in my professional career. As my Japanese qualification is not directly recognised in the Netherlands, I initially started working as a dental assistant.

I am still learning Dutch and try to improve a little every day. At the same time, I am learning a great deal about dentistry in the Netherlands and how dental practices operate here.

I currently work as a Preventive Dental Assistant, which allows me to return to what I have always enjoyed most: helping patients maintain a healthy mouth.

What I find particularly interesting is that I have been able to experience dentistry first-hand in two different countries: Japan and the Netherlands. I find the differences between the two systems fascinating and bring the valuable knowledge and experience I have gained in both countries into my daily work.

My next goal is to continue my career as a dental hygienist in the Netherlands. I therefore want to keep developing my knowledge and clinical skills, continue improving my Dutch, and keep enjoying my work in the practice every day.