Casey Hein explains why we shouldn't jump to conclusions about perio and COVID-19—but here's what we do know. In fact, there are a variety of ways RDHs are earning income into the 2020s, such as clinical and public health work, acting as sales representatives, educators/instructors, and being speakers at industry events. Dr. Joshua Austin looks at the root of the conflict and how both "sides" can work together. Most dentists are probably having the same experience with their dental hygienists. DSOs hold a significant advantage in attracting both first year and younger hygienists. United States of America Information to work in this country is available from. Established hygienists prioritize and appreciate the flexibility of our profession. Among various salary surveys conducted by RDH magazine and DentalPost, males have typically been between 1% to 2% of survey respondents. Let’s visit with three of them! For today’s dental hygiene professional, there are many other career pathways to explore as well. After thinking she'd left dental hygiene for good, Kimberly Carpenter, BSDH, RDH, found a renewed love for her profession in an old trash bag in the back of her closet. A dental hygienist or oral hygienist is a licensed dental professional, registered with a dental association or regulatory body within their country of practice. Or deep cleaning drawers, cabinets, storage areas. With boomers and Gen Xers eventually retiring in the 2020s, there is potential for an RDH shortage similar to the one in the early-to-late 1990s. What's going on? “Our mission is to provide you with tools that give you more control over your career. Dental hygienists must follow specific rules and protocols to help dentists diagnose and treat a patient. Presuming things aren’t that bad in your office, if you have a concern or complaint, please voice it with your dentist first. “At DentalPost, we tell dental professionals to invest in themselves, be aware, and work in a place that respects and invests in its team. Sign up for Registered Dental Hygienist (RDH) Magazine eNewsletters. In fact, a hygienist in private practice is two times more likely to be part-time than in those corporate practices. Dental hygienists carry out procedures such as: 1. scaling teeth (at times under local anaesthetic) 2. polishing teeth 3. applying topical fluoride and fissure sealants They work in hospitals and in community dental services, but most frequently in general dental practice. Artificial intelligence, or AI, is the ability of a computer program to learn specific patterns by teaching the program to take actions that mimic human learning and problem-solving capabilities. The majority of RDHs (85%) surveyed work in private practices, with only 10% reporting working in corporate dentistry and another 5% other/unsure. Beyond the cost of school, life events such as a new house, a new car, or growing family can add pressure financially. These debates have wound through our practices like a river, ebbing and flowing as dentistry changes. Supply shortages and ordering delays aren't going away anytime soon. Hygienists are being encouraged to report dentists. Dental hygienists can find employment in a variety of work environments, including medical clinics and offices and educational facilities. RDHs who keep up with trends and specializations will be the most in demand.” —Rachel Wall, RDH. Do you know how to protect yourself from COVID-19 and all other kinds of diseases? Some of them don’t feel safe.” Some studies show dental hygienists have one of the riskiest, non-hospital jobs during a pandemic. These respondents had a wealth of industry experience: Full-time and part-time private practice and corporate dental support organization (DSO) RDHs enjoy a level of flexibility to earn, unlike many other professionals. Communicate with them. Teeth grinding! “As we enter the next decade together, let’s celebrate how far we’ve come, roll up our sleeves for the work ahead, and remember to lift one another up along the way. Since dentists often hire hygienists for a few days per week, some hygienists work for more than one dentist to reach full-time hours in the field. The future is ours to shape.” —Tonya Lanthier, RDH, DentalPost founder. For the most part, we dentists have been able to peacefully coexist with dental hygienists. 44.2% of full-time RDHs are satisfied or very satisfied with their overall pay. ", Artificial intelligence (AI) in dentistry. Dr. Stacey Gividen has some insight that may surprise you. There is no such thing as free money from the government. Here's what an industry insider learned from a recent tour of a dental distribution center, including tips for getting what you want when you want it. Dr. Austin is involved in all levels of organized dentistry and can be reached at jaustindds@icloud.com. Flexible scheduling is a distinctive feature of this job. PRO: Growing Employment. Dental hygienists working in a dentist’s office are typically required to hold an associate degree in dental hygiene. From compensation to work-life balance, here’s the current state of RDHs entering 2020. Of RDHs with high satisfaction, commissions of 30% to 33% against guaranteed base pay were common. “The need for talented hygienists to enter the industry is increasing. Being an RDH offers professional flexibility as age and life priorities change. RDHs as heads of household Hygienists between ages 35 and 44 are the most likely to have children under the age of 18 living in the household. The governor responded with allowing hygiene, just without ultrasonic instrumentation. RDH magazine and DentalPost have partnered to conduct the largest and most comprehensive dental professional survey of its kind. I will admit that this crisis is really the first time I put a lot of thought into the profitability of the hygiene department. Consisting of responses from 8,855 dental professionals, including 3,977 hygienists, the 2020 DentalPost–RDH Magazine Salary Survey is the largest of its kind. Learn more. Talk through them while being open and honest. New report suggests low COVID-19 rates among dentists, Dr. Chris Salierno interviews Drs. Second, as a Hygienist, it is so important to work out the shoulders and … Dr. Pamela Maragliano-Muniz says VoiceWorks voice-activated software has become indispensable in her practice both for improved infection control and for educating patients on their periodontal health. Hygienists might work in research or for manufacturing firms that produce dental equipment or supplies. Like many of my colleagues I have been contemplating when a return to dentistry may occur. Find a local dental hygiene … She said she has reservations about returning to work but sees little option, although right now, she doesn’t know who is going to watch her … Many RDHs commented they were disappointed that the dental industry is falling behind, limiting benefits that are considered standard in many other industries and professions. Those being paid a guaranteed base against a percentage of production reported the highest level of satisfaction. Let them know what challenges we face in the economics of our practices. Melissa Turner, BASDH, has been a teledental proponent for a long time. After a short meeting with my team, the dental hygienists in my practice were all ready to roll. Tell them what concerns you have and why. The future of dentistry is bright, hopeful, and full of flexible staffing! Hygienists want more time. How much does experience impact annual income? Yes, there are males in the dental hygiene profession. Most hygienists identify as full-time (66%), with the remaining as part-time (33%). The results of this survey reinforce the importance of adapting to a shifting industry. Thankfully, the dental hygiene profession has reached a pivotal moment where there are now countless non-traditional career opportunities both in and out of the clinical setting. Editor's note: This article first appeared in the Morning Briefing, a daily newsletter published by Dental Economics, DentistryIQ, Perio-Implant Advisory, and RDH. Hygienists who choose to pursue a D.D.S. I like working directly on patients. Dentists want more efficiency. Based on our survey, this seems to be a prevalent trend after five years of employment. Create strategic partnerships with other businesses. More than half of the respondents had 20+ years of experience. Disability claims in the coronavirus environment. Having a good skin care strategy will minimize the negative impacts of wearing N95s. Texas. If even after your objection your dentist is asking you to do 20 prophies a day with only a garbage bag and a pair of old paisley oven mitts, obviously blow that whistle. Hygiene is dependent on finding a gem of a Dentist to work for. Depending on the state in which they work and/or the treatment provided, dental hygienists may work without the direct supervision of a dentist. Education: To work as a dental hygienist, graduation from an accredited dental hygiene school with either an associate degree (most common), a certificate, a bachelor's degree, or a master's degree is required. A much greater percentage of private practice RDHs work part-time than in corporate dental environments. Editor's note: Regroup, recover, reimagine: 2020 RDH Under One—Your—Roof. Dental hygienists must follow specific rules and protocols to help dentists diagnose and treat a patient. Of the top six paying metro areas, four are in California. It might mean helping with touch-up painting. As an alternative to hourly wages, RDHs are 50% more likely to be paid an annual salary with a DSO and more than three times more likely to negotiate a daily rate with a private practice. This survey yields valuable information that any dentist or practice manager can use to strengthen the practice team and retain key employees. Industry-wide, women have historically occupied the vast majority of RDH positions. © 2020 Endeavor Business Media, LLC. DSOs are twice as likely to pay a percentage of production (22.2%) compared to private practices (10.6%). Figure 1: Recent post in a Facebook group. Many of us dentists have been seeing emergencies for the last couple of weeks and are now pretty comfortable with the new normal. RDHs also expressed concern with practices using part-time employment as a way to avoid offering benefits. Hygienists who are younger tend to work full-time, and this decreases steadily as they get older. If you are risk averse, asking for a review to look at improving your base pay is another option. Every RDH deserves to work in a great place where he or she is valued and treated with respect. Just remember that in the patient's eyes there are no "sides"—and this virus, … Where the battleground seems to be is dental Facebook groups. Find ways to help your dentist. Many de… Anecdotally, this is not my experience. In October of 2009, he opened a solo general practice in a suburban area of San Antonio, Texas. Average pay for an RDH varies widely from state to state. I’ve also seen posts with verbiage on how to remain on unemployment and make more money than doing clinical hygiene. We understand that these things may not be explicitly listed on your job description, but for many of us, it's an all-hands-on-deck situation. Dental hygienists work alongside dentists to care for patients' oral health. Industrial Hygienists protect and mitigate the safety of employees in the use of materials and systems. Also, respondents felt that many areas were considered oversaturated with new graduates. Just remember that in the patient's eyes there are no "sides"—and this virus, like every other virus, doesn't discriminate. This can be on an individual basis or in groups. Untreated periodontitis and COVID-19: What's the evidence? As the largest dental job search board in the industry, connecting 800,000 dental employees with 60,000 dental practice employers, DentalPost is uniquely positioned to partner with RDH magazineFounded in 2005 by registered dental hygienist Tonya Lanthier, DentalPost leads the dental industry in metric-based career matching, including personality tests, work culture preferences, skill matching, and career goal assessments. Did you make a disability claim, or were you thinking about it, when the pandemic hit? And while a minority, you’ll find that their experiences are quite similar. Some common places for dental hygienists to work include: Dental offices Doctor's … All rights reserved. Depending on the state in which they work and/or the treatment provided, dental hygienists may work without the direct supervision of a dentist. DSOs are leading the charge in hiring males. First up is Martelle Coke, RDH, founder of Brown Girl, RDH, a nonprofit whose mission is to promote cultural diversity in the dental field. At the upper limits, several RDHs expressed frustration that their base wage rates have remained unchanged for more than a decade. Dr. Austin is involved in all levels of organized dentistry and can be reached at, Dentist vs. hygienist—two perspectives on reopening offices during the COVID-19 pandemic (Video), COVID-19: The unintentional accelerator for dental industry transformation, Molecular iodine as a new frontline defense against COVID-19 in the dental office, Unexpected (expected) office shutdown 2.0. For honest discussion, genuine relationship-building, and one can make a disability claim or... May surprise you state to state shifting from full-time to part-time, or working as a to! Be up front with them and tell them, MS, shares insights her! Era, and says how to not ONLY survive but move your practice in. 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