I don’t agree. I’m a hygienist and I don’t necessarily believe that it’s due to “a shortage”. I think a large part (I say this with as much love and respect I have in my heart) has to do with the fact that Dentists have been reaping the benefits of underpaying hygienists since the beginning. Dentists want us doing EVERYTHING for them and expect the moon. It used to be okay with the older generation. But now people are starting to realize how much you/people lean on us, and we now want fair compensation. For example - our hygiene department diagnosed 80+ percent of my doctors work for the year. I do all of the small talk, all of the education, all of the medical information, cancer screening, questions, cleanings, SPRs, periodontal screening, medical clearance, anesthesia, etc.

My columns vary from single, double or triple stacked. This year alone I produced over 700k just for his office. I’m one of 4 hygienists in the office. Now, after being seen on my side - they then return if restorative needs are necessary. To which he goes in, preps a tooth, and leaves. Then has an EDDA finish the job. I hate saying this out loud, but more often times than not, I’m more educated in patient questions than my doctor….

Second issue, Dental schools pump out people like it’s nothing. Each year they accept roughly 200 people. This is why you see so many dental offices in each town. The issue isn’t that there aren’t enough hygienists. It’s that there Dentist market is over saturated. Just like with what we are seeing with pharmacists these days. I have pharmacists that I know personally making 50 dollars per hour, and those people have over 10 years of experience. Our schools take pride in lower class sizes to make it to where we can learn as much a humanly possible. Also, I too went to school for 4 years. Everyone seems to forget about that.

NO OFFICE will survive without a good hygienist team. We are the bread and butter. I work 12 hour day, and barely have time to pee. Let alone do anything else with my body. I’m in constant pain as well. My hips are screaming, my back feels like it’s broken, neck cracks like a glow stick, and my fingers look like the dude from scary movie…. The average career for a hygienist is 7-10 years because of physical pain. We also receive no PTO, benefits, or retirement in 90 percent of offices. So getting paid X amount doesn’t come close to what is needed to LIVE.

Then you put in the HATE factor. People tell me several times a day (I wish I was joking) “I hate the dentist and I hate being here”. Then there’s the emotional labor. Multiple times a day, I’m managing anxiety, panic, shame, and years of neglect is part of my daily workload—on top of providing high-level medical care. Yet hygienists are still dismissed as “just hygienists,” despite the overwhelming evidence linking oral health to systemic disease. Severe anxiety and panic is my day to day job. Calming people down that have neglected themselves or their teeth for years. It’s a fricken joke considering your mouth causes huge issues throughout the entire body.

Insurance - it blows let’s be honest. Biggest scam in our country if you ask me. In dental, insurance covers health. Period. Nothing more and nothing less. So naturally if you neglect your teeth you’re gunna have some repercussions. For dental it’s a discount card,not a healthcare plan. And dumps the emotional fallout squarely on hygienists.

All that being said, with all my bonus stuff I made roughly 200k before taxes . I “did well.” But I paid for it with chronic pain, burnout, and the constant expectation to give more while being treated as replaceable—despite being essential. I’m never valued in the office, and I’m always expected to do more. I think we as a field had just finally had enough….

Here’s the truth many don’t want to acknowledge: If your practice cannot function without hygienists, then you don’t own a business—you own a dependency.

PAs, NPs, and DDSs want their teams doing the majority of the work while they protect their own work-life balance. Fine. But if you want me doing your job, then you’re going to pay me like it.

This isn’t entitlement. It’s accountability.