By Jackie Sanders, RDH, MBA
Statistics fluctuate back and forth about dental hygiene and the demand for employment. Recently, Mark Hartley enlightened us with statistics from the government, reporting that there are close to 205,000 dental hygienists, and dentists are still as the primary employer, hiring almost 195,000. We hear stories of the challenges of finding a good job, the overabundance of new graduates, and a growing demand for alternative career choices. Is our future grim, or do we need to change our lenses through which we view our profession?
We have numerous RDHs who love their profession, provide quality care to each patient each day, and would never consider any other option. We have a group that is anything but satisfied, looking for new options and alternative choices. Then lo and behold I read a recent article written by Mark Frias, RDH. His article is like no other and made this hygienist stop and pause for a moment. Here is a link to the article but, reader beware. It is bold!
Some may have found it harsh. Personally, I found it enlightening, bold, and filled with truth. Maybe some of his questions could be used when accepting dental hygiene students. Maybe the questions could be shared with those individuals who are deciding whether dental hygiene is truly their passion or how many wish someone would have shared these thoughts with you prior to going into dental hygiene.
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Other articles by Sanders
- Ideas to Inspiration: Maintaining the energy that propels your dental hygiene career
- Ideas to Inspiration: Three tips for the new graduate
- Ideas to Inspiration: A job vs. your dental hygiene career
- Ideas to Inspiration: Easy steps to take in dental hygiene career development
- Ideas to Inspiration: Finding your 'why' about becoming a dental hygienist
- Ideas to Inspiration: Answering four questions about dental hygiene careers
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What I know is that there are thousands of amazing dental hygienists out there. Each year SUNSTAR and RDH take the opportunity to recognize dental hygienists who have gone beyond their own expectations. These hygienists embrace their daily challenges, continue to follow their passions, struggle and consider the hard times to be part of the rise to success—all while being the “care givers” they chose to be. These are the individuals that make this RDH proud to be part of the industry.
On Friday, August 11, I hope each of you will join me at RDH Under One Roof to recognize the 2017 SUNSTAR/RDH Award of Distinction recipients, and the 113 alumni who inspire me.
