How Are Your Professional Growth Resolutions Going?

Can you believe we are already 9 months into 2023? We’ve had three quarters of the year to hold ourselves accountable to our New Year’s Resolutions, so how have yours been going? As promised, I wanted to follow up and share updates on my three New Year resolutions for professional growth.

As I shared previously, my three resolutions were to find an alternative to the “F” word (flossing), learn a new skill, and, of course, make more money! Honestly, these have been a challenge, but I have made progress and am excited to see where my goals will be at the end of the year!

1. Implemented New Alternatives for the “F” Word

After 10 years of being a hygienist, which means 10 years of preaching the “f” word to my patients, finding an alternative to this phrase was not easy! “Floss your gums” became a standard in my vocabulary and fell out of my mouth like word vomit without even taking time to think about what I was saying and to whom I was saying it. I am happy to say, however, that I did find not just one but multiple alternatives to this pariah phrase. To my surprise, my patients have been extremely receptive and excited to try any alternative to the dreaded floss. 

Before I completely removed flossing from my 9-5pm vocabulary, I dove into multiple CE courses and articles that discussed this very topic. I discussed with my dentist, explained the different interdental tools I discovered, and received permission to order samples for the office. During our monthly meeting, I had each staff member try the different interdental brushes, stimulators, and WaterPiks. Together, we chose our favorites to order for our patients. I enjoyed this process because it not only helped us bond as a team but it also helped me gather other opinions on the products, so I knew I was choosing the very best alternative tools! 

6 Flossing Alternatives We Chose

In the end, we chose three products to provide complimentary to our patients and three products we would recommend purchasing on their own. The complementary products we are demonstrating and providing free of charge are the GUM End tuft brush, Curaprox CPS Prime interdental brushes, and GUM rubber tip stimulators. We recommend that patients purchase WaterPik’s cordless WaterPik, Phillips Air Flosser, and Curaprox 1006 interspace brush. At the end of the year, I am excited to share how patients have responded to these products and if their compliance and overall healthy health improve with my new alternatives to floss!

2. Learned A New Skill 

I wanted to implement Guided Biofilm Therapy with the new AirFlow Max. Unfortunately, I could not persuade my current dentist to use this amazing new way of performing a hygiene appointment. It is not an inexpensive system. Although my dentist was intrigued by the new concept and machinery, the price tag was the ultimate deciding factor not to move forward. However, I did not let this stop me from learning another new skill! I attended a continuing education course on Perio Protect and am now implementing this new technology into our hygiene protocol! 

Perio Protect Method

The Perio Protect Method utilizes the non-invasive Perio Tray with a customized sealing system that is proven to deliver medication deep into periodontal pockets, where toothbrushes, rinse, and floss fail to reach. These customized trays end the disease cycle by extending treatment from the dental chair to the comfort of home. After I complete scaling and root planing on my patients, I 3D scan their teeth and tissue and send the scan to Perio Protect, who manufacture their custom trays. It takes approximately two weeks to ship back to the office.

Depending on the patient and the severity of their periodontal disease, I recommend two to three 15-minute daily sessions of wearing the trays with medication until I see them back in three months and reaccess their periodontal health. Once their periodontal pocket depth returns to healthy depths, they wear the trays daily for 10 minutes as a maintenance recall. So far, the results have been astonishing!

Patients have been compliant with the instructions and are relieved to see their periodontal health improve. It is exciting to see the long-term results as I follow up with them during their three-month perio maintenance appointments. If this system is something you’d like to learn more about, visit their website at PerioProtect.com to speak to a consultant who can set up a webinar!

Pro tip: Learning a new skill doesn’t have to be expensive, difficult, or inconvenient, check out DentalPost’s events page for plenty of free CE, virtual and in person!

3. Making More Money by Temping

I have to admit, I was nervous to try hygiene temping. The unknown about the office I was stepping into without properly meeting the dentist and staff, and understanding the dynamics and protocols was intimidating. I am so happy I did not allow these insecurities to stop me because my experience was terrific!

I initially started this process by changing my DentalPost profile to temporary hygienist and included the days I was available. Also, I messaged offices directly that had permanent dental hygiene job postings, knowing they most likely need a temp hygienist while they search for their permanent hygienist. This is how I became in contact with the current office I am temping for. 

The dentist was incredibly grateful to have come in contact with me and appreciated any days I could offer. I can pick and choose which days and hours I am willing to work, which I’ve never had control over before! I also negotiated a much higher hourly rate since I am essentially saving the office from rescheduling a full hygiene schedule. Since I’ve gotten more control over my schedule, I have a high sense of work/life balance and freedom. I have been able to save extra cash for our home renovations and upcoming vacation.

Curious about temping? Check out these related blogs:

Want to Temp as a Dental Hygienist or Assistant? Use This Mindset Checklist for Success

Temp Talk with Two RDHs 

Networking Benefits

Yes, the extra cash has been an enormous benefit, but the networking and new relationships I have formed at this office have also brought many other benefits. For example, the dentist helped me network with other temp opportunities from colleagues and friends in the area. I was also able to refer a hygiene friend to a position at his colleague’s office, which, as a thanks, provided me with a “thank you” bonus! Most importantly, I have increased my likelihood of receiving referrals and recommendations for other practices, which can lead me to my future dream office with a higher salary and benefits. 

Let’s Close Out the Year Strong!

I am incredibly proud of the progress this year has brought me in my professional career journey.

By pushing the boundaries of our comfort zone and embracing the unknown, we unlock a world of endless possibilities. So, let’s continue building on the progress we’ve made (or start over if you’ve hit a roadblock!) and discover where our goals will lead us by the end of the year. Not only will this drive personal growth and fulfillment in our own lives, but it will also have a profound and uplifting impact on the lives of our valued patients.