Dear Hygienists: I Wouldn't Trust a Consultant Either.

I am not a lover of change. I appreciate finding better ways to do things, and I love efficiency. I love a routine and thrive best in one. But when I see change coming and I’m not the one who initiated that change? My first emotion is most certainly not enthusiasm!

Many years ago my boss walked someone thru the practice and introduced him to us as ‘Greg.’ I noticed his shirt had the logo of a major dental supplier on it. The entire day, as I worked on patients, I couldn't stop wondering who Greg was. Between patients and as soon as I got home that night I began searching…and learned that ‘Greg’ just happened to be a transition specialist. And I realized she was selling the practice….Ask me how well I slept after realizing that!

Many years later…I was right. She did sell the practice…and the good news was, it all worked out! She’s still there, too! Now, as much as I don’t love change…I’ve come to see that change can come, and things can still be OK, too.

Ok, stay with me here, that wasn’t the point of my post.

My point is this: I GET IT.

If someone starts walking through my practice (I still practice clinical dental hygiene), my guard goes up. Who are they, why are there here, what are they changing, and how is this going to impact me?

I still practice clinical hygiene every week. If I wouldn't be happy to do something myself in practice on Monday morning, I promise you that I won't recommend it to another hygienist either.

I’ve worked in assisted hygiene for twenty years, and I mean it when I say, I love my job as much as I did the day I started. I never set out to become a consultant, and I certainly wasn't looking for a way out of clinical practice. I wasn’t! To be completely honest, I saw a need in the industry, I realized I had a skillset to offer, I love problem solving - and frankly, I love working with people.

Most importantly, though, I have seen in my own practice that it is legitimately possible to serve all parties involved. Does that mean implementation is effortless? Of course not. There will be curve balls, critical thinking, and problem solving. But when it's done well, everyone can benefit.

Let’s say we’re talking about your practice implementing assisted hygiene, for instance.

It benefits the practice.

Seeing more patients generates more revenue. That revenue can be reinvested into the practice through equipment, CE, technology, and the team.

It’s a positive for the doctor.

It can reduce financial strain on the practice owner. I’ve heard from practice owners that are making less as a practice owner than they were as an associate. If assisted hygiene can ease some of that pressure, that's a win.

Furthermore, we know that the hygiene schedule feeds the restorative schedule, so the added hygiene patients can help to keep the doctor’s schedule full.

It’s beneficial for the patient.

I’m going to guess that you have had a thought that assisted hygiene must be rushing care and the patients are receiving less than they deserve. Allow me to challenge that assumption. Because the assistant that I work with handles tasks that don't require my license, I actually have more time to focus on the conversations and clinical care that do.

The biggest benefit, though, is how we handle doctor exams. My patients rarely wait more than two minutes for the doctor. By the time the doctor walks in, I've already discussed my findings with the patient and prepared them for what the doctor may recommend, which allows the exam itself to also move very quickly. The doctor comes in, makes recommendations, treatment plans, and everyone moves on.

And, it can serve you, too.

You didn’t think I’d forget that part, did you?

I mean it when I say this: I think you have the most to gain. I’ve worked in assisted hygiene for twenty years. I’m not burned out. I’m not bored. I’m generously compensated. And I still love my job. Here’s what’s possible.

Working less because you’re making more. Yes, really.

I work three clinical days a week and generate more income than many hygienists do in five. That gives me more time with my family, more time to pursue other interests, and the freedom to build three businesses. None of that would have been possible if I were working five days a week.

More autonomy.

One of the biggest benefits for me is the trust I’ve been given in my position. When you consistently provide excellent care and help your practice succeed, you're given more freedom to make decisions. If I block extra time for a patient because they need it—or simply because it’s one of my favorite patients and we love to chat —no one questions it. The practice trusts my judgment because I've earned that trust.

It's also important for me to say this.

I have no interest in convincing hygienists to work in a way they don't want to work. If you're happy seeing one patient an hour, earning an hourly wage, and wouldn't change a thing, I genuinely think you should keep doing that. There is more than one way to practice dental hygiene well. One doesn’t have to be better than the other, they’re just different.

But if you're curious...

If you've wondered whether there's another way to practice that could give you more flexibility, more autonomy, or more opportunity while still providing exceptional patient care, I'd love to share what's worked for me.

Because yes, I'm a high producer—but I don't spend my day thinking about production. I walk into every operatory with one goal: to serve the person sitting in my chair.

No more.

No less.

I don't expect you to trust me—or my intentions—the first time I walk into your practice. Honestly, I wouldn't expect you to. My goal is to earn your trust by listening before changing anything, answering your questions honestly, and never asking you to do something I wouldn't gladly do myself.