Each week, I speak with many dental hygienists who are looking for something different in their careers. While they love the profession and the meaningful impact they make, they’re exploring options beyond the operatory for various reasons. The common thread? A desire for growth, balance, and greater opportunities.
1. A Desire for Professional Growth
Dental hygiene provides a strong foundation in healthcare and patient care, but many dental hygienists feel ready for new challenges. They want to expand their expertise, step into leadership roles, or explore fields like public health, education, or consulting. These paths offer the chance to make a broader impact and keep their careers dynamic.
2. Wage Capping and Frustration
For many dental hygienists, their wages are capped after years of service, leaving them feeling stagnant despite their experience and dedication. The frustration of reaching a pay ceiling without further growth can be discouraging, prompting many to seek out opportunities where their expertise is better valued and rewarded.
3. Opportunities to Elevate the Profession
Some dental hygienists are driven by a desire to be change-makers. They want to mentor new graduates, teach in academic settings, or advocate for policies that elevate the importance of oral health. These roles allow them to influence the future of the profession in meaningful ways.
4. A Drive to Create Work-Life Balance
Achieving a balance between work and personal life is a key priority for many. Non-clinical roles or hybrid positions give dental hygienists the ability to meet their professional goals while also enjoying a fulfilling personal life.
5. Exploring Their Passions
Dental hygienists are multi-talented professionals. Many I speak to are eager to merge their dental expertise with creative passions such as social media marketing, selling products, or starting their own whitening business.
A World of Possibilities
Seeking new career paths doesn’t mean stepping away from dental hygiene, it’s about evolving, growing, and using the skills gained in the operatory to open doors to new opportunities. Whether it’s staying within the clinical realm or venturing into something completely different, dental hygienists are proving there’s no limit to what they can achieve.
What career options outside of the operatory have you considered?