Gloves Off: Juggling double-column hygiene with an assistant

June 13, 2022
With the current dental hygiene shortage, many are wanting to explore the concept of double-column hygiene. How can we choreograph this model to make it smooth for everyone?

Juggling a double column of hygiene working with an assistant is a timely conversation because we’re seeing more of the double-column model in this age where there’s a shortage of hygienists and an abundance of work.

Understandably, a lot of doctors are wanting to explore this model. Dental hygienists are very polarized on this point, however. Some really love the model; they like being busy and the concept of having somebody else working alongside them. Others want to focus only on the hygiene part of the appointment instead of being involved in the entire process of care with the patient.

Communication with all involved—hygienist, assistant, and doctor—is incredibly important to make this model successful. In this video, we talk about what to do if you are a hygienist and don’t like working in a double-column model, as well as how to make it a seamless process if you do like the model.

Dental pros and dental patients, send us your questions! We’re talking about important topics that happen all day every day in the dental practice.

More Gloves Off videos:

Editor’s note: This article first appeared in Through the Loupes newsletter, a publication of the Endeavor Business Media Dental Group. Read more articles and subscribe to Through the Loupes.

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

Katrina M. Sanders, MEd, BSDH, RDH, RF

Katrina M. Sanders, MEd, BSDH, RDH, RF, is a clinical dental hygienist, author, and international speaker. She is the clinical liaison to Hygiene Excellence and Innovation for AZPerio. Known as “the dental resultant,” Katrina is cofounder of the Core Group LLC, a boutique-style consulting firm focused on high-level standards, excellence, and production. She is the founder, CEO, and keynote speaker for Sanders Board Preparatory; a published author with Dentaltown and Today’s RDH; a columnist and advisory board member for Modern Hygienist; and brand ambassador for Dimensions of Dental Hygiene.

Updated February 10, 2022