I’ve never been able to decide if the phrase “stay in your lane” is a compliment or a request. Personally, I feel that if I had stayed in my lane, I wouldn’t be where I am today. Each time I’ve changed lanes in dentistry, new doors opened.
In an article titled, “The dangers of staying in your lane,” Bradd Busick lists four dangers: a limited skill set, missed opportunities, the lack of adaptability, and possible career stagnation.1 He goes on to identify changes you can make to avoid these limitations, one being embracing lifelong learning. As dental hygienists, we understand the value of being inquisitive and willing to learn.
On the flipside of this debate, Marcus Lemonis states that it is best to stay in your lane, because you can excel when you stay focused. Within the same piece, he discusses knowing when it is time to change course. If your head is down all the time and you are only focusing on the moment, life can change, priorities can change, your significance may change, and then your satisfaction with your role could decline.2 As dental hygienists, we have watched numerous changes in our profession over the last several years, and many of us have changed our course to adapt to the change.
Business is not a strong point for many dental hygienists, but you could start exploring other lanes by building a SWOT analysis (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats). Understanding what makes you unique and knowing where your strengths lie will assist you in defining opportunities.
The content in this month’s RDH magazine focuses on the ever-changing role of the dental hygiene clinician. We are continually learning new information to keep us on top of our game, while venturing out of our comfort zone to provide our patients with elevated quality of care.
Dr. Samantha Farrar and Dr. Stacy Castronova share the science behind active ingredients in the oral rinses we recommend. India Chance covers navigating medical emergencies in the dental office, and Katrina Klein educates us on a biomechanical explanation of workplace body pain.
Always remember: when changing lanes, look over your shoulder and merge while respecting others already in the lane.
Be kind.
Jackie Sanders, MBA, RDH
Chief Editor
