Life at Work

Are you starting to doubt your dental hygiene career? How many times have you found yourself going back and forth asking, "Is this the right career for me?" Do you struggle with finding fulfillment from your job because you're so exhausted? We commit to the dental hygiene profession because we love what we do. We love being educators. We love...

My career in dental hygiene has spanned over three decades ‒ something I find hard to believe. I have worked as a dental hygienist in various settings, including general dentistry, sedation dentistry, and prosthodontics. While I look back fondly on my time spent learning the different skills needed for each of these dental specialties, my dental hygienist heart belongs in...

Ah, January ‒ the beginning of a brand-new year. The new year brings a sense of hope, purpose, and possibilities for people, a fresh start. The previous year is behind us, and whatever mistakes dental hygienists have made or tasks they didn't accomplish or even attempt is history now. In January, resolutions have been made, new diets and workout...

The Five Love Languages series by Gary Chapman offers insight into how our society expresses and receives love. This concept focuses on filling a “love tank” with acts of service, words of affirmation, giving/receiving of gifts, quality time, and physical touch. The actions could appear, for example, in our relationships with family, friends, and co-workers. How can the “Five...

Most dental professionals, whether they are at the front desk, assistants, or dental hygienists, are intuitively aware that: “When the doctor is happy, everybody is happy.” What makes the doctor the happiest? When his/her (and the hygienists’) chairs are not sitting idle. Do you have a plan of action to help keep those chairs filled? Situational awareness helps. Situational Awareness Situational awareness...

Dental hygiene is dominated by women, and because of this, you are more than likely going to encounter an office pregnancy. This exciting time in your life may prompt a few questions such as, how can you stay comfortable before and after delivering a healthy baby? You may wonder if you will be able to keep up with the...

The word boundary is often misused or misunderstood. Many of my counseling clients believe that a boundary means being harsh, aggressive, or saying “no” at every turn. Often, they think that they will ruin or lose relationships if they suddenly request a different behavior or way of being from a person. Dental hygienists, for example, struggle with a boundary governing...

Has anyone ever participated in a bonus system in a dental office that did the exact opposite of motivating you? A bonus is extra income ‒ perhaps even unexpected ‒ you don't count on for your monthly personal budgeting. A bonus is typically designed to complement your base pay, reward you for reaching certain milestones or achievements, or as a...

The average dental hygienist has an allotted one-hour time slot for her or his patients. This time allotment often does not change whether the patient is in the operatory chair for a six-month prophy, periodontal maintenance, or periodontal therapy. Some dental hygienists actually have 40 to 45 minutes of allotted time per patient, making their workday impractical, inconvenient, and...

Tingles race up and down my spine as my feather-light body levitates seemingly by its own volition, high into the cottony clouds. I feel so free, so giddy with joy, and I giggle into the sky as I ride the azure expanse. The heavens above me breathe a gentle breeze as they invite me higher to the majestic space...