Reprinted with revisions to format, from the March 2017 edition of Registered Dental Hygenist ©2017 by PennWell Corporation
EMPOWERED to PURCHASE Attentively buying your own tools of the trade By Cathy Richardson, RDH, MBA
Social media and journal articles frequently voice the Own The Tools Of Your Trade concerns of dental hygienists, regarding their work situations While the employer is responsible for many aspects of your and what their employer will or will not provide vs. the ideal work environment, (work hours, scheduling, treatment or what the RDH prefers. Having practiced clinical dental room and patients), there is nothing to prevent a hygienist hygiene as well as being an educator, I understand that not all from owning his or her own equipment. Numerous surveys employment situations are the same. Due to varying rules and have been conducted to determine products that hygienists regulations, job markets and clinical settings across the states purchase on their own. As an educator, I find that when in which to practice, many hygienists accept a position feeling students invest in their own equipment and supplies, they that they have no other choice or without being fully aware are more likely to take better care of those products. They of what their job description and working also become more conscious of supply quality environment will involve. My advice to those and cost. Overall, they become interested in hygienists is to look for ways to change your “It may sound like a products and as a result, more quality conscious environment. Although some would assume consumers. It may sound like a small thing, small thing, but when that means “find another job”, that is not but when hygienists purchase for themselves, hygienists purchase always required. Changing your environment they become empowered. Think back on how can be accomplished in another way. You for themselves, they you felt after your first large purchase. Maybe can improve everything in your life by it was your education, a car or a house. You become empowered. ” being solution-oriented and maintaining an felt a sense of satisfaction, pride, joy and optimistic outlook. Much has been made in confidence. Most likely, you celebrated or at the past few years about the purchasing power least wore a huge smile on your face for days. For too long, and the influence of dental hygienists in product selection. hygienists have felt that the tools of their trade can only consist Let’s take a look at how this can empower a hygienist to turn of whatever the employer provides. A few dental distributors the negatives into positives for their situation. have realized the importance of the hygienists’ purchasing power and will now open individual accounts. As you begin
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