Why I Became a Dental Hygienist (and would again!)

Sometimes it takes something major to cause you to reevaluate every aspect of your life. For all the challenges and disruption the pandemic has brought, it has also forced us to take stock and re-evaluate what is important. It has rekindled and renewed my love for the dental community and helped me re-identify why I got into dental hygiene in the first place––to care for others and be in a community with those who share that same passion. 

The Moment I Knew I Wanted to be in Dental Hygiene

When I was eight years old, I soared over my bike handles and faceplanted into a parked car. It knocked out my permanent tooth and fractured my upper anterior. I was terrified, but after care from an ace ER team, Dr. Busch from Gainesville, Georgia, I wasn’t scared anymore. They could implant tooth #8 back into my mouth after it had been knocked out for hours.

That bike accident and my subsequent care were powerful and pivotal moments that solidified my intention to provide that same care and comfort to others. The team did amazing work – the tooth they re-implanted lasted 18 years! They also did good work, making me feel safe and cared for. I knew, through this profession, I could help others not feel scared, afraid, self-conscious, or anxious. Our work has the power to change lives for the better. It certainly changed mine.

Finding Your Purpose and Passion in Dentistry

I miss seeing patients regularly and helping make a difference in their lives. That’s why my heart sinks when I hear someone complain about the profession. I know they haven’t yet found their purpose in dentistry. Sometimes, it takes some off-roading to uncover it. And that’s what DentalPost aims to do – to get you on the “just right” path and in the “just right” place. Finding the right people who share your beliefs and values turns a “job” into a calling with a higher purpose. 

Taking Stock: Make Sure You’re in the Right Place 

If you ever begin questioning your profession, I implore you to search within yourself and reconnect to that original thing that drove you to dental patient care in the first place. 

Not all offices are created equal. If you question your career choice, it’s possible that it’s not the dental profession. It could be the office you practice in, the people leading it, or those you work alongside. 

Take advantage of our free assessments on Core Values and Workplace Culture to assure that you are in the right place, with the right people who will help align you with your greater purpose.  

Celebrating Dental Hygiene

I’m forever grateful for the accident that set me on my path in the dental profession and the journey that has followed. I get to live my dream by helping my colleagues in the field find jobs or build dream teams, ultimately helping them pay the bills, buy the car they want, or go on that dream vacation. 

This month I celebrate you, my dental hygiene family, and all the teams, offices, and patients whose lives we all touch. Let us unite our passion and purposes to build a better dental community than we have ever known. 

Updated September 2022.