Meet the Driving Force Behind YDR

From dental assistant to trusted recruiter — our founder knows the industry inside and out and is building powerhouse teams nationwide.
Behind every successful company is a visionary leader—and at Your Dental Recruiter (YDR), that visionary is Melissa Cleary.
Melissa’s journey from dental assistant to one of the most respected dental recruiters in the industry is not just inspiring—it’s the foundation of YDR’s human-centered, results-driven approach to recruitment.
The Early Years: From Chairside to Career Catalyst
Melissa began her career at the core of dental care—working chairside, managing treatment flow, and guiding patients through their procedures with care and precision.
That hands-on clinical experience gave her a rare, intimate understanding of the daily pressures, teamwork, and trust required in a high-performing dental practice.
But over time, Melissa noticed a deeper issue: hiring in dentistry was broken.
She saw practices plagued by turnover, mismatched hires, and poor culture fits—while talented professionals found themselves in roles that didn’t reflect their true capabilities or career goals.
Bridging the Gap: Clinical Insight Meets Recruitment Strategy
Determined to change the system, Melissa transitioned into dental recruitment. But she didn’t follow the playbook—she wrote her own.
Her approach was—and still is—refreshingly different:
Empathy for Candidates: She understands what motivates dental professionals because she’s walked in their shoes.
Insight for Practices: She speaks the language of dentists and managers, catching the subtle needs most recruiters miss.
Commitment to Culture: For Melissa, culture isn’t fluff—it’s the foundation of retention and success.
She wasn’t here to build just another staffing agency. She wanted to redefine what dental hiring should look like—intentional, strategic, and built to last.
The Birth of Your Dental Recruiter (YDR)
With that mission, Melissa founded Your Dental Recruiter—a firm that goes far beyond job boards and resume-matching.
At YDR, every placement is a partnership.
The mission?
To build powerhouse dental teams by connecting top-tier professionals with practices that value culture, growth, and long-term success.
The result: matches that last—and elevate everyone involved.
Why Melissa’s Leadership Matters to You
When you work with YDR, you’re not just working with a recruiter. You’re working with someone who:
Knows the Industry: Melissa evaluates candidates based on real-world fit, not just credentials.
Builds Real Relationships: Trust and alignment are the foundation of every successful placement.
Delivers Long-Term Results: Her process minimizes costly turnover and fosters real growth—for both practices and professionals.
Real Stories. Real Impact.
Melissa’s work has changed the way practices think about hiring
Ready for a New Kind of Recruitment?
Melissa and the YDR team are ready to show you what’s possible when clinical insight and strategic recruitment come together.
Whether you're:A practice owner looking for your next game-changing hire
Or a dental professional ready to elevate your career
YDR is here to guide you toward a better fit.
👉 Schedule a conversation to explore how Melissa’s vision can help unlock new possibilities for your team or career.
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Your Dental Recruiter .Your Dental Recruiter is a specialized recruitment agency dedicated to connecting dental professionals with dental practices and organizations in need of their expertise. We focus on providing tailored recruitment solutions to ensure that dental practices find the right talent to meet their specific needs, whether it's for temporary, permanent, or locum positions. Our extensive network and industry knowledge allow us to match qualified dentists, hygienists, dental assistants, and administrative staff with opportunities that align with their skills and career goals. At Your Dental Recruiter, we are committed to fostering successful partnerships that enhance the quality of dental care and support the growth of dental professionals and practices alike.
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