With the ever-changing career opportunities for dental hygienists, integrating leadership education in dental hygiene curricula is imperative for preparing future dental hygienists to lead effectively within their profession. However, despite the acknowledged importance of leadership skills for healthcare professionals, a significant gap exists in the literature regarding the integration and perceptions of leadership education in dental hygiene programs. This study aimed to explore perceptions of leadership education among dental hygienists in administrative positions, describe the leadership skills identified by dentists, and examine the views of dental hygiene faculty from baccalaureate programs on leadership education and skills within the dental hygiene curriculum. A qualitative research methodology was utilized, involving semi-structured interviews across three distinct phases with dental hygienists in administrative roles, dentists, and dental hygiene faculty from baccalaureate programs. Through the interviews of 11 dental hygienists in administrative roles, six dentists, and 19 dental hygiene faculty members, four main themes emerged: "Building Bridges," "Collective Growth," "Embracing Responsibilities," and "Overcoming Obstacles." These themes collectively emphasize the importance of leadership development in enhancing dental hygienists' professional preparedness and efficacy. Recommendations include thoroughly reevaluating current curricula, adopting a strategic approach to embed leadership education, and creating a leadership training framework for the dental hygiene program at the University of Mississippi Medical Center School of Dentistry. This investigation provides critical insights for enhancing dental hygiene educational programs, advocating for curricular reforms incorporating leadership skill development as a foundation for future professional success. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://bibliotheek.ehb.be:2222/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]