Dental Assisting

The dental assistant versus dental hygienist hierarchy

July 24, 2024

What’s up with the assistant versus hygienist hierarchy in the dental practice? Dr. David Rice and Julie Varney of @dentalassistantsrock on Instagram take their gloves off and share tips on how to improve practice dynamics.

David R. Rice, DDS, Chief editor

Julie Varney, CDA, RDA, CDIPC, COA

There’s often animosity in the practice between the dental assistant and the dental hygienist. What can we do about this hierarchy? What’s the dentist’s role in setting the tone for the practice?

Ponder these points, and we’ll see you on the podcast:

See yourselves as a cohesive team.
Work together to get through the schedule.
Look at how you can help the patient (your main goal).

Join us in this episode of Gloves Off as Dr. David Rice and Julie Varney, CDA, RDA, of @dentalassistantsrock on Instagram share ways to improve practice dynamics and work together to achieve the one purpose of all dental professionals—to deliver the best care possible to the patient and the community.

Background image credit: Photo 201430262 © Anton Skavronskiy | Dreamstime.com

The first podcast in this miniseries: Wake up, doctor! Dentist versus dental assistant struggles

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Editor’s note: This video first appeared in Clinical Insights newsletter, a publication of the Endeavor Business Media Dental Group. Read more articles and subscribe.

About the Author

David R. Rice, DDS | Chief editor

Founder of the nation’s largest student and new-dentist community, igniteDDS, David R. Rice, DDS, travels the world speaking, writing, and connecting today’s top young dentists with tomorrow’s most successful dental practices. He is the editorial director of DentistryIQ and leads a team-centered restorative and implant practice in East Amherst, New York. With 27 years of practice in the books, Dr. Rice is trained at the Pankey Institute, the Dawson Academy, Spear Education, and most prolifically at the school of hard knocks. Contact him at [email protected].

About the Author

Julie Varney, CDA, RDA, CDIPC, COA

Julie Varney, CDA, RDA, CDIPC, COA, is a dedicated registered dental assistant and passionate high-school dental assisting educator with a mission to elevate the profession. With more than 30 years of experience chairside and teaching, her career has encompassed many facets in the dental office—from chairside assistant to practice manager. Her goal is to encourage dental assistants to have a career that they’re passionate about while embracing their worth. Julie is currently serving a five-year term on the New York State Dental Board. Contact her @dentalassistantsrock on Instagram.