Returning to Clinical Practice
For those ready to re-enter the workforce, the path is open
Joyce Turcotte, RDH, MEd, FAADH
There are many reasons why dental hygienists might have taken a hiatus from clinical practice. Some examples include COVID, burnout, repetitive motion injuries, unfavorable working conditions, overscheduling, and personal matters. You or someone you know may have thought, "I won't go back into dental hygiene again, so why pay the license fee and keep up with continuing education?" Maybe you moved around a lot or became frustrated by applying for dental hygienist (DH) licenses.
However, by now you have heard the buzz that dental offices and institutions are experiencing a scarcity of dental hygienists-big time!
In the summer of 2020, many dental offices re-opened with newly outfitted infection control protocols in place. Although offices complied with more stringent CDC infection control requirements, patients were reluctant to return, and schedules were unfilled. That has changed over the past three years, however, as patients have returned for exams and "cleanings." Given this 1- to 2-year lapse in dental visits, many patient cleanings are now more involved, requiring advanced hygiene care. This, coupled with the exodus of hygienists from the profession, has expanded the challenges in scheduling patients for hygiene appointments.
In September 2022, NPR's All Things Con-sidered radio broadcast reported on the situation.1 "Across the country, dentists are having a hard time scheduling all their patients because they don't have enough help from dental hygienists. Many hygienists left the field over the last few years," the NPR report by Craig LeMoult states. Dentists are filling the gap to serve the demand of patients, he says. "It's a competitive market right now. A poll [in August 2022] by the American Dental Association shows nearly 40% of dentists are trying to recruit hygienists. Of those, 95% say it's been extremely or very difficult to hire someone. In the 20 largest U.S. cities, the ADA's polling says, only half of hygienist positions are reported as filled."1
Doctors are advertising on social media platforms, dental hygiene professional newsletters, and websites with little response. The increase in demand for those with hygiene skills and the reduction of supply has motivated dental offices to be creatively attentive to the needs of their hygiene staff. The resulting opportunities for returning hygienists are higher salaries, increased benefits, and schedule flexibility.
A May 2022 Bureau of Labor Statistics report shows that annual mean salaries vary from state to state with the top paying states being on the East Coast, West Coast, and Alaska, with annual mean wages in the range of $87,000 to $113,000.2 Other states around the country show higher compensation when compared with the associated cost of living. If you are wondering what you can expect in your state, go to bls.gov and search for "dental hygienists." Table 1 shows the national wage estimates, by hour and annually.
For those considering re-entry into the workforce, keep in mind the following guidance:
1. Determine the status of the DH license you want to reinstate. If expired, check your state board of dentistry for license reinstatement criteria. The board determines if the candidate is qualified for reinstating a DH license.
2. You will be well served by taking a DH refresher course if any of the following applies:
a. Your state board requires that you take clinical boards. A DH refresher will prepare you for the exam and maximize your chance for success.
b. Your license is current, but you have not complied with required continuing education, and you have not practiced in several years. A DH refresher ensures confidence and competence. You may not realize how advancements have changed the role of a hygienist.
c. You are currently practicing but recognize that you are not up to date, are unaware of new technologies, and are uncomfortable performing scaling and root planing treatment.
Tracy Gerard, RDH, recently completed a DH refresher course and is in the process of reinstating her DH licenses in three states, giving her maximum employment opportunities after three years away from the profession due to occupational-related injuries and surgery. "Employment outside of healthcare offered low income and flexibility. Because of this, I started thinking about dental hygiene again," Gerard says. "When I discovered that dental hygienists were in high demand nationwide, I realized the time was right to return, and this time I would do things my way. This meant pursuing employment where I could have more control over my schedule. Before I could do this, I knew I needed a refresher course due to the time that had lapsed. My goal was to ensure that my patients received the very best care. I researched dental hygiene refresher courses to find a program that offered personal attention tailored to my needs and was compliant with state requirements. It was, by far, the best decision I've made in a long time. I received 40 hours of continuing education credits, had an amazing and thorough experience in both classroom and clinical instruction, and left that Sunday with a new dental hygiene family. We all stay in contact to this day, encouraging each other. The first office I signed up to work for is losing their only dental hygienist in July and have already started the process of ‘courting' me to work full time. I prefer to have more flexibility and am looking forward to the best years ahead in dental hygiene practice."
Earning continuing education credits will enable you to better compete with recent graduates, it shows your commitment to your profession, and it positions you to prosper in today's labor market.
About the Author
Joyce Turcotte, RDH, MEd, FAADH
Founder and President
Professional Learning Services, LLC
Boca Raton, Florida
References
1. LeMoult C. A dental hygienist shortage has dentist offices struggling to schedule patients. All Things Considered. NPR website. https://www.npr.org/2022/09/12/1122482181/a-dental-hygienist-shortage-has-dentist-offices-struggling-to-schedule-patients. Published September 12, 2022. Accessed August 8, 2023.
2. US Bureau of Labor Statistics. Occupational employment and wages, May 2022: 29-1292 dental hygienists. BLS website. https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes291292.htm. Revised April 25, 2023. Accessed August 8, 2023.
