Thabatta Alegria: Leadership That Shapes, Purpose That Sustains

'BUSINESS' EDITION COVER - JANUARY 2026 ISSUE

Photographer: Trumpas

In a field that has grown at an accelerated pace under the spotlight of contemporary aesthetics, few voices have managed to unite technical excellence, responsibility, and forward-thinking vision with the same consistency. It is at this intersection of knowledge, ethics, and education that the work of dental surgeon and mentor Thabatta Alegria takes shape.

Her journey goes far beyond clinical practice. Over the years, she has built a path that mirrors the very maturation of Orofacial Harmonization in Brazil, assuming a role that extends beyond hands-on care: that of shaping professionals and influencing the standards that sustain the field. In a landscape where visibility often comes before preparation, her voice stands out for advocating something less immediate and far more enduring: structure, awareness, and responsibility.

More than teaching techniques, Thabatta guides careers. Her work in education stems from a clear understanding that market growth also demands professionals capable of sustaining it with ethics and long-term vision. This mindset places her in a space of quiet yet structural leadership, one that shapes not only clinical outcomes but entire professional trajectories.

This same purpose-driven perspective is now expanding into new frontiers. By investing in online education and international connections, Thabatta embraces the transformations of professional training without sacrificing the depth she has always championed. For her, technology expands reach, but it does not replace responsibility, method, and presence. The future of healthcare education, in her view, will be hybrid, global, and increasingly demanding, and it is precisely for this level of excellence that she prepares her mentees.

It is from this perspective that Thabatta Alegria joins this edition of Hooks Magazine, sharing reflections on professional responsibility, ethical education, and the role of mentorship in building a more conscious and future-ready industry.

1. Throughout your journey, was there a specific moment when you realized that your decisions no longer impacted only individual patients, but were also helping to shape market standards, professional education, and even social expectations around aesthetic dentistry? How did you deal with the weight of that responsibility?

Yes, there was a very clear moment when I understood that my decisions were no longer affecting only individual patients, but were also influencing how Orofacial Harmonization was being practiced, taught, and perceived socially. When professionals began seeking me out not only for technical expertise, but for guidance, positioning, and reference, I truly grasped the scope of that responsibility.

That realization led me to become even more discerning, guiding my choices by what is ethical, sustainable, and consistent in the long term, rather than what is momentarily highlighted in the market.

2. Orofacial Harmonization has experienced rapid expansion in recent years, both in visibility and demand. From your perspective, which advances have most transformed the field, and which responsibilities have become non-negotiable for those working in this space today?

Orofacial Harmonization has evolved at an accelerated pace, driven by scientific advances, new materials, and an increasingly deep understanding of facial anatomy. These developments have significantly expanded clinical possibilities, but they have also made an unwavering commitment to safety, scientific grounding, and professional ethics non-negotiable.

Today, practicing HOF requires maturity, responsibility, and the awareness that the field’s visibility brings not only opportunities, but an even greater duty of care toward both patients and the profession.

3. As an educator since the early years of HOF regulation, you have worked with many different professional profiles. In your view, what distinguishes someone who is technically skilled from a professional truly prepared to build a solid, ethical, and respected long-term career?

Technique is essential, but it is far from enough. Over the years, it has become clear to me that what separates a skilled professional from someone truly prepared to build a solid career is the ability to make responsible decisions, respect limits, stay in continuous development, and build a reputation with consistency.

A career is built through long-term vision, discipline, and a commitment to principles that sustain growth over time.

4. Your communication naturally incorporates faith, family, and purpose, elements that are still uncommon in healthcare business discourse. How do these values shape your leadership, your decisions, and the way you guide other professionals?

My communication reflects who I am. Faith, family, and purpose are part of my decisions, my leadership, and the way I teach. These values serve as a compass, guiding choices and attitudes in both personal and professional life.

I believe professional success must be aligned with personal values, because only then is it truly sustainable. For me, leadership also means helping other professionals find coherence between life, career, and purpose.

5. You are currently experiencing a phase of expansion into the digital environment and closer engagement with international connections. How do you envision the future of professional education in healthcare, and what role do you believe Brazil plays in an increasingly global and interconnected landscape?

The future of professional education in healthcare will become increasingly integrated with the digital environment and globally connected, without sacrificing depth or quality. Technology expands reach, but true differentiation will continue to be excellence in education.

Brazil plays an important role in this landscape. We are technically skilled, creative, and adaptable. With strategic vision and ethical commitment, we can claim a prominent international position in healthcare education.

6. To conclude, what message has your journey given you the authority to defend today with greater conviction, especially in light of the transformations taking place in healthcare and education?

The main message my journey has given me the authority to defend today is that technique without direction does not sustain a career.

In a time of rapid transformation in healthcare and education, I believe that professionals who build their paths on knowledge, values, and responsibility are able to navigate change with strength, relevance, and lasting impact.