Dental hygiene is a demanding career that not only takes its toll on our bodies but can also be emotionally taxing. Also, working in a close environment with coworkers who may not always be helpful can add to a dental hygienist's frustration.
Research from 2020 found that most hygienists were leaving the field due to physical demands but were feeling burnout because of emotional strain.1 A 2021 study found that dental hygienists were mostly satisfied working in clinical practice, with the exception of those not experiencing opportunities to grow.2 Frustration can be a warning sign that we need to figure out something to improve the situation or ourselves. We need to open our eyes to the many opportunities around us to improve our offices or find a better place to thrive.
How to take control of your situation
1. Temp jobs: Temping during your time off allows you to explore other opportunities. It's not just about making more money, but about discovering what else is out there. You might come across new ideas that can be implemented in your current office, find a workplace that suits you better, or realize how challenging other offices are.
2. Study clubs: Join a study club or professional dental hygiene organization in your area, and then don’t just sit there like a lump. Talk to people. Find out what everyone is up to. See where the excitement is.
3. Conferences: It’s invigorating to be in an environment with like-minded people who want to learn and figure out what can be done to change the world. Seeing what's new is super exciting. Even if you live in a place where you can't implement something new yet, you know that improvements are happening in the dental hygiene field.
4. Consultations: Consult with the lead hygienist, manager, or doctor to explore other tasks in the office that align with your strengths. For example, if you excel at patient engagement, consider making follow-up calls to patients with outstanding treatment plans. If you have exceptional organizational skills, explore opportunities to reorganize supplies or rooms to make office flow more efficient. The goal is to find a task that truly resonates with you and doesn't feel like another obligation.
5. Educational opportunities: Consider enrolling in a course, coaching program, enlightenment class, or next-level degree program. Opening your mind to different possibilities can help you find joy in your current work and improve how you interact with team members and care for your patients. Investing in yourself always pays off in big rewards.
6. Time for yourself: Take time to be with family and friends. Taking a mental break from patient care and the potential drama of the dental office is important to your care. Plan a girl's outing, spend time with your loved ones, and enjoy being in the presence of the people around you.
7. Work outs: The physical demands in our career is the biggest reason why people step out of the operatory.1 Find a trainer, talk to a physical therapist, or follow a dental hygiene influencer on social media who promotes keeping our bodies ready for the physical demands of our career.
References
1. Malcolm N, Boyd L, Giblin-Scanlon L, Vineyard J. Occupational stressors of dental hygienists in the United States. Work. 2020;65(3):517-524. doi:10.3233/WOR-203106
2. Patel BM, Boyd LD, Vineyard J, LaSpina L. Job satisfaction, burnout, and intention to leave among dental hygienists in clinical practice. J Dent Hyg. 2021;95(2):28-35.
