The Great “Coming Together”: Building a Strong DentistHygienist Relationship to Ensure a Thriving Practice

Tiffany Wuebben, RDH, Founder and CEO of The Hygienepreneur

At 5:30 in the morning, I found myself eagerly texting my dentist, Dr. Brown. No, it wasn’t about calling in sick; it was another brilliant idea brewing in my mind, a strategy to propel our hygiene department to new heights. This routine, though unconventional, was our norm—a testament to the dynamic collaboration that defined our professional journey.

For 11 years, Dr. Brown and I nurtured a partnership that transcended conventional roles. Despite owning the practice, he treated me as an equal contributor, empowering me to lead and innovate within the hygiene department. His unwavering support fueled my drive, transforming our workplace into a place of positivity and excellence. And conversely, I was motivated to help satisfy his vision and embrace his goals. I was an active participant in fulfilling the hopes and dreams that he expressed for himself and the team. I also approached my role differently; I had an “owner” mindset and because of this, I achieved so many of the goals that I set out for myself. I knew that if my driver was patient care and practice growth, I would win as well. So, I led with that, and it worked like magic.

DR. BROWN ENCOURAGED ME

I really wanted to grow professionally and personally. To my surprise, Dr. Brown would often tell me, “you seem bored.” I never really noticed what he was talking about. But he did and he would typically tell me that he was going to send me to another course or another mastermind. So, as a result, I continued to be supported and fed with knowledge. There was mutual appreciation and the practice and patients benefited from my needs being met. I operated with joy.

I was a hygienist that was driven by the goals that we created for our department, and it was more about that than the money. However, the financial benefit was the icing on the cake. And boy did I do well!

Next, Dr. Brown encouraged me to write my book. I had written so many systems for the practice throughout the years, this was a natural next move. And you know what? We had so much success in the hygiene department that other dentist friends of his started to notice. This is how “The Hygienepreneur” first took off.

FOUNDING THE HYGIENEPRENEUR

Our journey together inspired me to venture into hygiene consulting, founding The Hygienepreneur—a testament to the transformative power of unity in dental practices. If I hadn’t achieved this synergistic relationship with my Dentist and been put in a position to create better workflow systems, I would have never written a book or founded The Hygienepreneur.

I was a single parent who had no time to do anything else, I didn’t even read! I was lucky and so was he. We had found the “secret sauce” to building a thriving practice through the ultimate power of the perfect relationship. Through my experiences, I’ve witnessed the spectrum of dentist-hygienist relationships, from harmonious partnerships to strained ones. I am always impressed when I go into an office to help transform a hygiene department and I see unity and partnership. This practice always out-performs the one where the relationship between the dentist and hygienist is strained.

The hygiene shortage across America has magnified an issue that we have to focus on to protect our industry. The struggle that myself and others are witnessing is very challenging and has motivated me to write this article to get real and address the “elephant in the room” in an empathetic and caring way. I owe dentistry so much. It helped me as a single parent to live a better life and the community supported me through the many challenges that I faced over the past 30 years. I feel very protective over it and would not feel good unless I called “it” out.

A CRISIS OF UNITY

We had some balance pre-pandemic. There was an understanding of what our roles were, and the patient was better served. The pandemic changed everything for us. Some hygienists left their positions for good after having the time to reflect at home, realizing that they were not being fed, they were dissatisfied, and they wanted more. This shortage has impacted our industry in a big way. As a result, it has created a division between some dentists and hygienists due to the supply and demand resulting in a wage war and a great division. Today, our industry grapples with a crisis of unity, with some hygienists voicing grievances of feeling undervalued and disconnected from their dentists. And Dentists feeling like they are being forced to pay wages that are too high for them to absorb. Did you know there is legislation in process that considers giving dental assistants the rights to perform more procedures in hygiene? The public health is the concern. This is a serious issue. It’s time to confront this challenge head-on, fostering a culture of understanding and collaboration.

A SHARED COMMITMENT

To bridge this gap, both dentists and hygienists must embrace a shared commitment to communication, respect, and synergy. Dentists can cultivate a supportive environment by acknowledging and incentivizing the expertise of their hygienists, fostering open dialogue, and expressing gratitude for their vital contributions.

Conversely, hygienists play a pivotal role in nurturing trust and loyalty within the practice. By demonstrating empathy, team- work, and a commitment to practice success, they can strengthen the dentist-hygienist bond and foster a culture of mutual respect. Hygienists need to better understand “the business” of hygiene and see that the practice can’t survive in paying the wages that are being demanded by some hygienists.

When we coach hygiene departments, we embrace the “paid for performance” model. When I was practicing in the op, this is how I was compensated, and it was awesome. I was paid like an associate Dentist, and it made me feel empowered, inspired and happy. Plus, with this model, the practice wins, too, and that creates a synergistic balance of success.

Financially, this method of pay helped me meet and exceed all of my financial goals. The “triple winning scenario” is achieved with this type of compensation. The patient, the practice, and the provider all benefit. It also creates mutual respect, positivity, and a culture that is harnessed with achievement and growth. In order to get there, we have to look within ourselves and commit to change.

A SHIFT IN MINDSET

At its core, achieving unity requires a shift in mindset—a commitment to personal and professional growth. By embracing the principles of ownership, persistence, and positive beliefs, both dentists and hygienists can unlock their full potential and elevate their practice to new heights. The mutual respect that is fostered with this plan creates a winning scenario for all. 

In my experience, the presence of a “unicorn” hygienist—a professional with extraordinary skills and a passion for practice growth—can create transformative change within the dental team. By embracing their unique abilities and fostering a culture of inclusivity, dentists can harness the full potential of their hygiene department, driving practice success and enhancing patient experiences. The hygienist wins as well because they are given the keys to “the kingdom” that nurtures support and a culture where everyone thrives. 

Hygienists always say that they wish they could find themselves a “Dr. Brown.” If they only realized that most of them are working for that type of Dentist already, they just need to take the first step, and embrace a different approach. Encourage a conversation, ignite a different path, and watch what kind of response happens. It is all about how we act and react to one another. We have the power to create change and experience how it is to work in the “dream practice”, with the “dream Dentist” and the amazing “unicorn” hygienist. This is truly possible! 

Finally, as we navigate the complexities of modern dentistry, let us heed the call for unity and collaboration. By embracing a shared vision of excellence and mutual support, we can unlock new opportunities for growth, fulfillment, and success—for ourselves, our teams, and our patients. Together, we can unleash the power of unity and build a future where every dental practice thrives and every dental professional feels special and noticed. 

Tiffany Wuebben, RDH, Founder and CEO of The Hygienepreneur, is on a mission to empower dentists and hygienists to unleash the true potential of their hygiene departments. With three decades of experience, she advocates an “ownership attitude” that elevates clinical outcomes, case acceptance, and practice productivity. Her book, “Hygienepreneur: The Dental Hygienist’s Guide to Achieving Career Success & Personal Transformation,” offers transformative guidance for hygienists striving for personal and professional greatness. 

Website: www.thehygienepreneur.com 

Email:tiffany@thehygienepreneur.com 

Office: (951)775-4478 hub.dentalentrepreneur.com/podcasts/the-future-of-dentistry