If you are a freelancing dental hygienist, you’re looking to make a living out of improving people’s smiles every single day. However, there could be that day at the office where things can get very hectic. And those hectic days can lead to a mistake that can really dent your career.
We’ll be taking a look at a list of those mistakes here shortly. What you need to understand is that there may be times when you might be looking to change your career trajectory. Or maybe you’ll be thinking about something else after spending a couple of years in the field.
However, being a dental hygienist can be a fulfilling and rewarding career. Not only is it a solid career financially, but you’ll also get the added bonus of building rapport with clients of all ages over the years. With that in mind, here are the mistakes that you want to avoid:
1. Using Bad Technology and Tools
In a dental office, it’s important to work with tools that are of good quality. If there are no tools provided for you, then you’ll need to get them yourself. Of course, you’ll also need to make other out of pocket purchases like your scrubs, certification, continuing education, and so on.
You want to work with tools that get the job done. So even if it’s your own, it should be in good working order. For example, you should use a tool that will remove plaque, biofilm, and everything else not only effectively but painlessly as well.
2. Poor to No Communication
One of the best building blocks in keeping a dental practice up and running is communication. Hygienists communicating with patients, dentists communicating with hygienists, and everything in between. Communication makes teamwork a lot better.
It will make the procedures go smoothly for patients and it will allow the patients themselves to gain more trust in their dentist and the staff. Communication also goes beyond patient relationships. As a dental hygienist, it’s important to maintain strong communication with your co-workers and the dentist.
3. Not Treating It Like a Career, but Rather a Job
Opportunities are everywhere. Especially if you are a dental hygienist. Yes, there could be a time where you are stuck in a toxic work environment.
If you feel like you need a change in scenery, don’t give up being a dental hygienist. There are plenty of places where you can take your talents elsewhere. The real key here is to network.
With the appropriate network, not only will it help you farther along in your career, but it will be your ace in the hole when things go south in your current office setting. The stronger your network is in terms of quality, the better chance you may see a change sooner rather than later.
Final Thoughts
Having a career as a dental hygienist can be really rewarding. While it does come with its ups, it does have its downs as well. Don’t let these three mistakes listed above be the kiss of death for your career.
If you are looking to take the next step in your dental hygienist career, Stynt can help. You can fill out our form or download the app to get started now.