Dentists & Hygienists: A Partnership in Patient Care and Profits

Melissa A Obrotka wrote an excellent article entitled, "The Dentist / Hygienist Divide." In her article, she argues that the current dentist-hygienist relationship is burdened by traditional roles. Hygienists are torn between achieving high production verses a commitment to delivering comprehensive patient care. Dentist face the pressure of mounting costs (such as increased investments in technology) in an envionment of decreased insurance reimbursements. Obrotka recommends three systemic approaches to transform this situation:

1. Denists should view hygienists as preventive health consultants. Educate patients about the dangers that bacterial imbalances which can lead to dental disease and inflamation. Integrate preventive workflows, technologies, and adjunctive therapies to enhance patients' engagements and experiences.

2. Improve the workplace culture by stating a clear vision of your practice's mission. Foster mutual respect, trust, and shared purpose.

3. Encourage discovery.

   1. For dentists,

      1. rediscovery why you became a dentist,

      2. what is the cost of hygienist turnover,

      3. what pressures impact the hygienist's ability to deliver quality care, and

      4. what ways can you better support your hygienists.

   2. For hygienists,

      1. rediscovery why you became a hygienist,

      2. how does the practice support or hinder that passion,

      3. which standards of care have you been unable to uphold and what can be done to restore them, and

      4. how would you feel if you had autonomy over your schedule.

For more insight, read the article here.