National Dental Hygiene Month

October is National Dental Hygiene Month. This entire month dedicated to our dependable and caring hygienists. National Dental Hygiene Month is sponsored by the American Dental Hygienists’ Association and Colgate, aims to express gratitude to all hygienists and recognize their dedication to keeping patients healthy. To help celebrate, our Digital Doc team would like to highlight some of the things dental hygienists perform. Also, we share a few ways you can make them feel appreciated this month. Join us in celebrating National Dental Hygiene Month!

What Are the Duties of Dental Hygienists?

Many patients believe that hygienists are simply responsible for cleaning teeth. The truth is that they do a lot more. In fact, it is not uncommon for patients to see and spend more time with their hygienists than with their dentists. While laws and rules vary by state, and a hygienist’s specific duties may differ accordingly, there are some common things that many hygienists do on a daily basis, such as:

• Personalization – When you initially begin seeing a new dentist, the hygienist will normally begin by examining some paperwork that contains the patient’s dental health history and overall health history. They will update this information at each appointment to ensure that you are receiving the finest care possible for their mouth and body.
• Cleaning Teeth – We all know that a dental hygienist’s primary responsibility is to clean teeth and remove any plaque or tartar buildup. Many hygienists will also screen you for oral cancer, efficiently take x-rays using the XTG Handheld X-ray device, and measure the patient’s gum pockets to check for gum disease.
• Preventative Dentistry — While cleaning the patient’s teeth, the hygienist is also paying particular attention to any regions of their mouth that may require a closer examination by the dentist. Dental hygienists may also apply fluoride or sealants to teeth to prevent acids and germs from causing tooth damage or to alleviate tooth discomfort.
• Educating Points – During the cleaning, the hygienist will use advanced dental technology to explain more of the state of the patient’s oral health. This is an ideal time to talk to your patient about the state of their oral health. Many patients will say yes to treatment because they can physically see the problem when using the IRIS X80 Intraoral Camera.  

How Can We Make Dental Hygienists Feel Appreciated?

As you know, dental hygienists are the glue that holds dental practices together. All team members will go the extra mile for a dental clinic that values their work, attitude, and involvement. Recognize their contributions to the practice’s success. Below are a few ways you can make your dental hygienists feel appreciated for National Dental Hygiene Month!

• Personal Note – Each team member should write a thank you card recognizing the dental hygienist’s (or hygienists’) superpower.

• Decorate the office –  Patients are invited to participate in the festivities.

• Appreciation post on social – Posting a sweet appreciation post highlighting your RDH team is something that any practice can do. 
• Sweet Treats – A yummy breakfast or lunch for the RDH team. So, bring lunch into the office to celebrate with the entire crew.
• Gifts – If you’re feeling generous, National Dental Hygiene Month is the perfect time to give gift cards, flowers, or even a new toy for the office. 

• Advanced dental technology. – So, if you have an outdated intraoral camera, dental sensor, or x-ray device, you should schedule a virtual demonstration. Simply to see if your RDH team could benefit from new equipment. So, contact us today to schedule!

Celebrate National Dental Hygiene Month All Year Round!

Throughout the year, recognize your team members and pay special attention to each specialty’s daily, weekly, or monthly recognition. Inform everyone about their impact on your dental practice, your patients, vendors, and referrals. Everyone contributes to the bottom line of the dental practice. So, take time this month, and every month, to appreciate your dental hygienist for everything they do to keep your practice up and running.