Take the fear out of relocation in your dental hygiene career

Relocating to a new city, town, or state, whether for personal or professional reasons, can be intimidating. I recently relocated from North Carolina to Virginia, and the move came with a lot of anxiety. Looking back, I’m so grateful for the incredible opportunities that relocation provided me.

By overcoming my fears and embracing change, I’ve become stronger personally and professionally. Here are my tips and tricks to make relocation a game-changing, exciting next step in your career.

Don’t let fear overhwhelm you

As much as I would have loved to stay in one place, my fiancé’s military career made a move to Virginia necessary. It was a nerve-racking experience at first, and I certainly had my ups and downs. However, thanks to support from Aspen Dental, my transfer was an absolute breeze. I quickly realized that as long as I clearly communicated my needs and concerns, my support system would take care of the rest.

Family isn’t the only reason someone might relocate. Growth opportunities may also lead someone to transfer. For example, in Aspen Dental, I’m part of a professional development plan to hopefully become a territory manager of hygiene support, which may require me to relocate again at some point. 

Whatever the reasons for potentially relocating, don’t let fear overwhelm you. Fear can strip you of fantastic opportunities if you’re not open to new possibilities. Setting that fear and anxiety aside can take you far and open so many new doors.

After successfully transferring, I’m no longer nervous for when I have to transfer again; it was easy. I’ve now experienced firsthand the way relocation can bring new opportunities for growth, development, networking, and connection.

Do your research and communicate

My transfer was smooth for several reasons. One, I did my research, and two, I communicated clearly. One major concern many hygienists may have with transferring, especially to a different state, is license portability. It’s important to do your research about the state you’re moving to, what their requirements are, and what you need to do to get licensed. If you do your research and make a plan to accomplish what needs to be done, you’ll be adequately prepared.

Being prepared goes hand in hand with communication. During my transfer process, I made sure I communicated clearly with my office manager and territory manager. I let them know when I was planning to move, what that would look like with licensing, and how long I expected to take before I was up and running. The combination of thorough research and clear, frequent communication can also help you get where you need to be with as little stress as possible.

Embrace your new location with open arms

Once you’re in your new location and ready to get started, the stress may begin to creep back in. My transfer to Virginia was my first big move, and I was nervous about integrating into a new office dynamic. To combat that fear, I set up in-person meetings with the dentist, the office manager, and other team members to get as much information as I could. I asked questions such as, “What’s your dental practice philosophy?” “How can we work well together?” and “What’s been your experience in this office?”

The key is to be intentional. Even if you can’t meet in person, set up calls, reach out, communicate, network, and see what you can find out about your new office and team members. Having that information and establishing those connections early on will make you feel much better about the move and significantly more prepared.

If compensation is one of your top concerns, communication is also your friend here. If you’re nervous about a pay cut when you move, remember that pay is negotiable and competitive. Have a discussion with your new office; they’re likely to match your previous pay, depending on where you’re relocating.

As with so many of my concerns, communication and connection helped pave the way for a smooth and easy transfer.

Everything will work out

Sure, relocating has its challenges, especially mentally. Being patient, taking things as they come, and learning from all your experiences will help you be open to the opportunities that come your way. As long as you’re open to change and you communicate your thoughts and concerns, everything will work out. Be brave and be bold!