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A Tribute to Tracy Baker: The Dental HyGenius
In Memoriam: Celebrating the Life and Impact of Tracy Baker
Around this time of year, it’s common to see “Year-In-Review” content from various media outlets, covering topics like business, movies, music, and more. These retrospectives often include moments of reflection, celebrating accomplishments, and paying tribute to those we’ve lost.
In 2024, the dental community sadly lost some extraordinary individuals, including such renowned leaders as Dr. Chris Miller, Nancy Mann, and many others whose contributions deserve recognition but are too numerous to list in detail here.
With that in mind, we want to take a moment to honor one particular individual who held a personal connection to us. Her story may not have received widespread attention, but her impact on those fortunate enough to know her was profound.
Remembering Tracy Baker
Tracy Baker Med, RDH., affectionately known as the Dental HyGenius, passed away on August 14th, three days before her 53rd birthday, after a heroic series of battles with cancer. Tracy personified what it means to be truly powerful, not only in the areas of dental hygiene and dental entrepreneurship but also in how she lived her life.
The difference Tracy made in dentistry and for the people who were lucky enough to experience her full “Tracy-ness” through mentorship, coaching, or any of the many hats she wore is simply incalculable. While her accomplishments are too numerous to list fully, we want to share just a bit of her story to illuminate her incredible impact on dentistry and inspire others to passionately pursue their dreams and overcome limiting beliefs.
Who Was Tracy Baker?
As Tracy proudly expressed on her LinkedIn page and echoed by her team on Instagram, she was the founder and “SheEO” of The Dental HyGenius™ – a Dental Business Development Agency. Here, she helped dentistry-based entrepreneurs, including many women, get organized, get noticed, and get wildly successful.
Tracy described herself as an unapologetic dentistry idealist with a hair-on-fire passion for how the dental profession transforms the health, happiness, and vitality of patients. Tracy truly believed that she was called to do more.. In her own words:
“I was called to DO more and BE more, long before I took action. It took a terrifying cancer diagnosis to make me realize that I didn’t have to stay where I was just because it was comfortable and that I was worthy of taking steps to change my life and have it all.”
A Legacy of Empowerment
Tracy helped countless individuals turn their dreams into reality. She empowered hygienists to launch their own practices, built iconic dental brands, and elevated dental offices to extraordinary new heights of success. Her wisdom, guidance, and, most of all, her pure authenticity brought trust and joy to everyone she worked with.
Tracy is incredibly missed by so many. However, it is gratifying to know that her legacy, the Tracy Baker Method of dental entrepreneurship and practice optimization, and the Dental HyGenius brand will live on.
Recently, Jazmine Chavez, RDH, was introduced as the new face of The Dental HyGenius. Jazmine steps into this role with immense pride and dedication, ready to carry on the incredible legacy Tracy built. Adding to that legacy, Tracy’s daughter Abby, as well as her mom Margaret, continue to play roles in keeping her vision alive.
A Powerful Closing Thought
If you’re familiar with Stuart Scott, the beloved ESPN anchor who passed away from cancer in 2015 at the age of 48, you may recall his powerful words when accepting the Jimmy V Award for Perseverance at the 2014 ESPY Awards:
“When you die, that does not mean you lose to cancer. You beat cancer by how you live, why you live, and the manner in which you live.”
By that measure, Tracy Baker kicked cancer’s a**.
Special Acknowledgement from HuFriedyGroup CMO, Patrick Bernardi:
"I am one of the many people in Dental who were touched by Tracy’s giving spirit and her wise advice, she made a difference for me when I really needed it. I want to personally thank Abby Baker, Tracy’s daughter, for her time and collaboration on this content."
Tracy's Journey
