Comments on: Dentists Cut Hours of Dental Hygienists http://www.thewealthydentist.com/blog/1161/dental-hygienists-hours/ Jim Du Molin offers dental marketing news and dental practice management advice for dentists. Wed, 08 Feb 2012 20:57:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3 By: Zjodiz http://www.thewealthydentist.com/blog/1161/dental-hygienists-hours/comment-page-1/#comment-9600 Zjodiz Fri, 04 Mar 2011 10:57:00 +0000 http://www.thewealthydentist.com/blog/?p=1161#comment-9600 I am a hygienist that has been with the same dentist for 16 years and she relys on me as her #1 in patient care and help with treatment planning. She has searched and searched and can not find a decent associate. Talk to me when you find a website named WealthyHygienist.com. I'm still searching for that one.... I am a hygienist that has been with the same dentist for 16 years and she relys on me as her #1 in patient care and help with treatment planning. She has searched and searched and can not find a decent associate. Talk to me when you find a website named WealthyHygienist.com. I’m still searching for that one….

]]> By: Toronto Dentist in Etobicoke http://www.thewealthydentist.com/blog/1161/dental-hygienists-hours/comment-page-1/#comment-7112 Toronto Dentist in Etobicoke Wed, 18 Aug 2010 05:00:18 +0000 http://www.thewealthydentist.com/blog/?p=1161#comment-7112 My team has worked hard to maintain hygiene days. We've dipped down from 22 to 20 per week. Not a big loss. Cosmetic and Reconstructive are in the crapper, but that's another matter. Joe :D My team has worked hard to maintain hygiene days. We’ve dipped down from 22 to 20 per week. Not a big loss.

Cosmetic and Reconstructive are in the crapper, but that’s another matter.

Joe :D

]]> By: Dentist Marketing Solutions http://www.thewealthydentist.com/blog/1161/dental-hygienists-hours/comment-page-1/#comment-7002 Dentist Marketing Solutions Wed, 11 Aug 2010 20:52:23 +0000 http://www.thewealthydentist.com/blog/?p=1161#comment-7002 Unfortunate as it is, it seems the route to take when a company is experiencing difficult times, especially when that is what the consumer is doing, cutting out what they feel is less needed, like regular dental appointments, to make things work. Unfortunate as it is, it seems the route to take when a company is experiencing difficult times, especially when that is what the consumer is doing, cutting out what they feel is less needed, like regular dental appointments, to make things work.

]]> By: Cindi http://www.thewealthydentist.com/blog/1161/dental-hygienists-hours/comment-page-1/#comment-5395 Cindi Sun, 06 Jun 2010 01:46:04 +0000 http://www.thewealthydentist.com/blog/?p=1161#comment-5395 Its me Cindi again. Also I have worked with 2 kinds of hygienist. Those that pick and polish, do nothing when they don't have a patients, and then there are the work horses who make hygienists look like heroes. All I am saying is if you want to make a good living, well then you should work for it. Unfortunately too many dentists have encountered the slackers and that makes all of us look bad. Amen Its me Cindi again. Also I have worked with 2 kinds of hygienist. Those that pick and polish, do nothing when they don’t have a patients, and then there are the work horses who make hygienists look like heroes. All I am saying is if you want to make a good living, well then you should work for it. Unfortunately too many dentists have encountered the slackers and that makes all of us look bad. Amen

]]> By: Cindi http://www.thewealthydentist.com/blog/1161/dental-hygienists-hours/comment-page-1/#comment-5394 Cindi Sun, 06 Jun 2010 01:36:00 +0000 http://www.thewealthydentist.com/blog/?p=1161#comment-5394 I have seen a great decline in dental hygiene jobs and hours cut int he Philadelphia area. With working part-time and also temping I have learned a lot from different practices an how well they are run. Also have been in the business for 25 years. I don't believe in prophy mills, but hygienists can do more if they have the back up. Offices that have their front desk trained to keep schedules filled have less resentment towards hygienist. Also there are too many assistants hired that stand around that can be developing x-rays, helping clean rooms and contributing to hygiene productivity. All hygienists should be encouraged to keep a good perio program going, suggest 3 month recalls, and educate patients. Education is the key to getting patient compliance. You really don't need to oversell dentistry, just being honest and stating the facts is what makes patients want to comply. Compassion and understanding a patients financial status helps too. Personally if patients state they cannot afford perio treatment, I try to find alternative, like 3 month recalls. Also hygienists should do a thorough restorative pre-exam for the dentist without diagnosing. This helps the dentist when he has to run from room to room checking hygiene patients, plus it helps with the dentists credibility that he just didn't find a cavity in 5 minutes. Patients see suspicious areas written down by hygienists then dentists either confirm or watch these areas. Same goes for crowns etc. Hygienist should not just be tooth cleaners and paycheck grabbers. Help out your Doc. Also don't sit a read a magazine when there's no patient. Go clean a room or help out the assistants. I am a hygienist and I'm saying this. My dad was a dentist so I see both ends of the spectrum. I have seen a great decline in dental hygiene jobs and hours cut int he Philadelphia area. With working part-time and also temping I have learned a lot from different practices an how well they are run. Also have been in the business for 25 years. I don’t believe in prophy mills, but hygienists can do more if they have the back up. Offices that have their front desk trained to keep schedules filled have less resentment towards hygienist. Also there are too many assistants hired that stand around that can be developing x-rays, helping clean rooms and contributing to hygiene productivity. All hygienists should be encouraged to keep a good perio program going, suggest 3 month recalls, and educate patients. Education is the key to getting patient compliance. You really don’t need to oversell dentistry, just being honest and stating the facts is what makes patients want to comply. Compassion and understanding a patients financial status helps too. Personally if patients state they cannot afford perio treatment, I try to find alternative, like 3 month recalls. Also hygienists should do a thorough restorative pre-exam for the dentist without diagnosing. This helps the dentist when he has to run from room to room checking hygiene patients, plus it helps with the dentists credibility that he just didn’t find a cavity in 5 minutes. Patients see suspicious areas written down by hygienists then dentists either confirm or watch these areas. Same goes for crowns etc. Hygienist should not just be tooth cleaners and paycheck grabbers. Help out your Doc. Also don’t sit a read a magazine when there’s no patient. Go clean a room or help out the assistants. I am a hygienist and I’m saying this. My dad was a dentist so I see both ends of the spectrum.

]]> By: Tomika http://www.thewealthydentist.com/blog/1161/dental-hygienists-hours/comment-page-1/#comment-5112 Tomika Thu, 13 May 2010 19:46:47 +0000 http://www.thewealthydentist.com/blog/?p=1161#comment-5112 Will all the real Hygienists please stand up! Everyone else, take a back seat, because that's what you are doing to your patients with 30min appointments. Will all the real Hygienists please stand up! Everyone else, take a back seat, because that’s what you are doing to your patients with 30min appointments.

]]> By: Lisa http://www.thewealthydentist.com/blog/1161/dental-hygienists-hours/comment-page-1/#comment-4531 Lisa Wed, 17 Mar 2010 01:23:22 +0000 http://www.thewealthydentist.com/blog/?p=1161#comment-4531 I'm an RDH with 20 yrs experience. I also run a consulting business focusing on hygiene productivity. My clients have hygienists that consistently produce $3000/day. It works in all practices, in all areas of the country. This involves no more work on the dentist's part. You can visit us on Facebook. We are Profitable Practice Solutions. You may also contact us via email at ProfitableDental@aol.com. We will help create a win-win situation between the DDS and the RDH. Everyone will make more money, have less stress, and the patient will be better served. I started this business because I constantly heard how unproductive hygienists were, and how hygiene was a loss leader. I'm here to tell you that it doesn't have to be this way. I personally produced almost $600K last year, WITHOUT an assistant. It can be done. It also alleviates boredom and burn out. We can turn your practice around, even in this economy! Please contact me if you're ready for some positve change. Lisa, RDH in NY I’m an RDH with 20 yrs experience. I also run a consulting business focusing on hygiene productivity. My clients have hygienists that consistently produce $3000/day. It works in all practices, in all areas of the country. This involves no more work on the dentist’s part. You can visit us on Facebook. We are Profitable Practice Solutions. You may also contact us via email at ProfitableDental@aol.com. We will help create a win-win situation between the DDS and the RDH. Everyone will make more money, have less stress, and the patient will be better served. I started this business because I constantly heard how unproductive hygienists were, and how hygiene was a loss leader. I’m here to tell you that it doesn’t have to be this way. I personally produced almost $600K last year, WITHOUT an assistant. It can be done. It also alleviates boredom and burn out. We can turn your practice around, even in this economy! Please contact me if you’re ready for some positve change.
Lisa, RDH in NY

]]> By: Heather http://www.thewealthydentist.com/blog/1161/dental-hygienists-hours/comment-page-1/#comment-4502 Heather Fri, 12 Mar 2010 21:58:46 +0000 http://www.thewealthydentist.com/blog/?p=1161#comment-4502 I've been a hygienist for about 3 years now, and i must admit i feel im undertrained. I enjoy my work and the patients i treat but i'm not getting the full experience of being a hygienist. In this office we NEVER perio chart,we don't do FMS, Hardly ever refer perio pts. out office, and NO sealants. Basically it is a prophy mill! I have not been happy with this situation for some time but with the slowing economy and lack of job openings in this area now is not the time to leave. I truly want to be the BEST hygienist i can be and provide my patients with the best care.. I’ve been a hygienist for about 3 years now, and i must admit i feel im undertrained. I enjoy my work and the patients i treat but i’m not getting the full experience of being a hygienist. In this office we NEVER perio chart,we don’t do FMS, Hardly ever refer perio pts. out office, and NO sealants. Basically it is a prophy mill! I have not been happy with this situation for some time but with the slowing economy and lack of job openings in this area now is not the time to leave. I truly want to be the BEST hygienist i can be and provide my patients with the best care..

]]> By: Karen Junek http://www.thewealthydentist.com/blog/1161/dental-hygienists-hours/comment-page-1/#comment-4501 Karen Junek Fri, 12 Mar 2010 19:53:02 +0000 http://www.thewealthydentist.com/blog/?p=1161#comment-4501 Kellie, I wouldn't be bragging about your 30 minute adult appointments. You may be bringing in a 6 figure income but are your clients getting the best care? Not every client needs the same amount of time spent with them but in order to complete everything that an RDH has to complete 30 mins is definitely short changing the client! Hopefully your clients don't compare appointments with friends and family. Kellie, I wouldn’t be bragging about your 30 minute adult appointments. You may be bringing in a 6 figure income but are your clients getting the best care? Not every client needs the same amount of time spent with them but in order to complete everything that an RDH has to complete 30 mins is definitely short changing the client!
Hopefully your clients don’t compare appointments with friends and family.

]]> By: Joyce W http://www.thewealthydentist.com/blog/1161/dental-hygienists-hours/comment-page-1/#comment-4497 Joyce W Fri, 12 Mar 2010 13:55:49 +0000 http://www.thewealthydentist.com/blog/?p=1161#comment-4497 It has long been proven that the hygiene department is the heart of the practice. Treatment found in the hygiene chair is what keeps the practice stable. Patient/hygienist relationship is a profound way to keep patient understanding the important of their recall appointments. I used to work clincially and now am an office manager. In our office it is a team effort to keep the hygiene chair full and therefore produce needed treatment for our family of patients. Follow up is essential because people have a lot of places they can spend their available funds... where do you want them spending their money? Make friends with your patients and let them know you care. It has long been proven that the hygiene department is the heart of the practice. Treatment found in the hygiene chair is what keeps the practice stable. Patient/hygienist relationship is a profound way to keep patient understanding the important of their recall appointments. I used to work clincially and now am an office manager. In our office it is a team effort to keep the hygiene chair full and therefore produce needed treatment for our family of patients. Follow up is essential because people have a lot of places they can spend their available funds… where do you want them spending their money? Make friends with your patients and let them know you care.

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