At the core of a successful doctor-hygiene partnership lies a solid foundation of clear understanding and communication. Setting expectations upfront and defining success for our team are crucial steps. Without this clarity, priorities can blur, leading to frustration and discord.
Open, candid conversations are fundamental to our collaboration, fostering transparency and vulnerability. We understand that honest dialogue, whether delivering good or bad news, is essential for our growth as leaders.
From an outsider's perspective, the partnership between dentists and hygienists might seem limited to teeth cleaning. However, in reality, a well-functioning dental office recognizes the multifaceted role of hygienists. They are providers who, when fully utilized, leverage their education and skills to support patients' overall health.
In Heartland Dental supported offices, teams operate under founder Dr. Rick Workman’s mantra: do the right thing for the right reasons. From this ethos emerged the "doctor led, hygiene driven" culture and support model, emphasizing a strong provider partnership for better patient care and education.
Here are a few tips on how hygienists in my office and I have built our partnerships and why I believe it is crucial to my office’s success and for our patients’ oral health.
Clear communication and expectations—The most important part of the provider partnership is ensuring the dentist and hygienist are on the same page when it comes to patient care. And in order to create the kind of flow and synergy that will help a team deliver high-quality care, there must be clearly-defined goals and expectations and solid communication. In my office we have regular hygiene synergy meetings to ensure we are communicating efficiently and effectively and on track to meet our goals.
We meet at least once a week, and have regular check-ins, depending on our patient schedule and need to communicate. True clinical partnership is reinforced by access to tools like Heartland Dental's Treatment Plan for Predictability, which helps hygienists anticipate and understand the supervising dentist’s preferences without compromising their autonomy. This proprietary system empowers hygienists to collaborate effectively with supported doctors while retaining control over patient care decisions. In the end staying connected and in communication ensures that the office continues to run smoothly.
Mutual respect: No partnership can succeed without respect and trust. When dentists and hygienists partner together, the hygienist can better understand the dentist’s expectations. This understanding can help the hygienist drive and support the dentist’s schedule and treatment plans, ultimately creating the synergy the office needs to succeed. When building the provider partnership, dentists and hygienists should share and understand each other’s working styles, stress triggers, and goals to build trust and respect.
Team acknowledgment and support: In my practice, cultivating a strong culture based on mutual respect is non-negotiable. Hygienists are not merely support staff but valued colleagues and healthcare providers in their own right. By fostering an environment where every team member's opinion is valued, we ensure that each voice is heard and respected. This mutual respect forms the cornerstone of how we operate and communicate, laying the groundwork for effective collaboration.
As the leaders in the office, we must help the team understand that the hygienist(s) is also a provider in the office, and thus their decisions and schedule must be respected just like ours. With the team on board, it’s much easier to build the schedule and provide patients with the care they need—the team understands it’s the dentist’s expectation that they help fill the hygienist’s schedule. And if the hygienist’s schedule is full, the dentist’s schedule will naturally grow as well.
As providers, dentists and hygienists must work together towards shared goals for office success and patient care. While achieving a strong partnership takes time and effort, prioritizing clear communication, mutual respect, and collaborative decision-making ensures ongoing success. The partnership between dentists and hygienists is crucial for delivering top-quality dental care. Together, we can navigate the complexities of modern dentistry and ensure the well-being of our patients.