Community over competition: The importance of networking and mentorship
As a dental hygienist with years of experience, I’ve seen it all, from incredible colleagues who uplift and support each other to, unfortunately, those who actively try to tear down others. The “mean girl” culture in dental hygiene is damaging for individuals as well as to the profession.
It’s time to shift our focus toward building a welcoming community that’s rooted in collaboration, respect, and mutual growth. Together we can create a professional environment where every hygienist feels valued and empowered to succeed.
Working in clinical practice can often feel very isolating. I believe this is where the idea of competition can overshadow the value of community. A 2020 survey published in the Journal of Dental Hygiene reported that 8% of dental hygienists have left the workforce since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.1 A 2019 survey revealed that 43% of dental hygienists cite feeling undervalued and disrespected as a primary reason for considering new employment.2
Similarly, an article on DentistryIQ published on September 24, 2020, stated that dental hygienists experienced dissatisfaction that often stems not from the clinical aspects of their work but from their work environment.3 Some of the common frustrations were feeling undervalued, underpaid, resentful, and exhausted. Additionally, there were concerns involving outdated technology, poor communication from employers, and toxic workplace dynamics.3
Dental hygienists have been unfairly stereotyped as prima donnas, implying that we’re difficult to work with or not team players. It’s quite the opposite: dental hygienists are highly educated, licensed oral health professionals who are dedicated to improving patients’ oral health and collaborating with their boss-dentist and coworkers.
What’s happening in hygiene practice?
The idea of working in a cohesive, supportive team often falls short in practice. Findings published in the International Journal of Dental Hygiene revealed that many hygienists experience inappropriate workplace behaviors that include verbal attacks, sexual innuendos, and judgement based on their appearance.4 Nearly half of the participants (47.3%) reported rude signals from others, 17.9 % faced sexual comments regarding their appearance, and 29.4% felt their education and abilities were dismissed by patients and their family members.4
Given the limited research on workplace bullying (WPB) in dentistry, a study published in 2021 examined its prevalence among dental hygienists in clinical practice. Researchers conducted a cross-sectional survey using the validated Negative Acts Questionnaire-Revised (NAQ-R) with a convenience sample of more than 900 clinical dental hygienists. The study employed various statistical analyses, including descriptive measures, correlation, chi-square, and Mann-Whitney U tests.5
The results revealed that 21% of participants occasionally experienced WPB—9.4% several times a week and 2.9% almost daily.5 The findings confirmed that one in five clinical dental hygienists had encountered WPB, with early career hygienists more likely to report these experiences compared to their more experienced counterparts.5
Predictors of WPB included factors such as the highest degree earned (p = -0.03), US region of residence (p = 0.001), clinical setting (private practice vs. dental service organization) (p < 0.001), clinical years of experience (p = 0.002), and work status—full- or part-time (p = 0.02).5
Although WPB is nothing new, its prevalence underscores the urgent need for employers to implement measures to prevent and address bullying. Creating a positive and supportive work environment is essential to foster effective dental teams.
The benefit of peer support
To overcome these feelings, I joined professional associations and interest groups such as the American Dental Hygienists' Association (ADHA), the New Jersey Dental Hygienists' Association (NJDHA), the American Academy of Dental Hygiene, the American Public Health Association (APHA), Dental Entrepreneur Women (DeW), and Asian American RDH. Being part of these groups has provided me with something invaluable—a platform to shine, inspire, empower, and connect with others who share my passion. Through these groups, I’ve developed connections and built a network of hygienists who inspire me and support my growth.
A systematic review explored how health professional networks can impact health-care quality and safety.6 These networks, which included both formal and informal relationships among health-care professionals, were deemed crucial for disseminating knowledge, improving practices, and fostering collaboration. The authors also evaluated existing studies to determine the overall effectiveness of these networks when enhancing health-care outcomes.
Key findings included the benefits of networks, such as facilitating and exchanging information, promoting learning, and encouraging adherence to evidence-based practices.6 But there were challenges as well, such as uneven participation, limited resources, and difficulties in sustaining networks.
The review emphasized that strong leadership, clear objectives, and alignment with organizational goals are crucial for successful networking implementation.6 The authors concluded that professional networks have significant potential to improve health-care delivery and outcomes.
Networking leads to mentorship. Don’t be afraid to reach out, ask questions, and build a connection to have someone guide you to be your best. When you build these lifelines for your professional growth, you open doors to inspiration, opportunities, and a support system that will keep you moving forward.
Competition doesn’t need to define dental hygiene. This field can be challenging enough on its own, and as a profession we should be leaning on each other for support, not tearing each other down. Together, we can build a stronger and more supportive community.
References
1. Gurenlian JR, Morrissey R, Estrich C, et al. Employment patterns of dental hygienists in the United States during the COVID-19 pandemic. J Dent Hyg. 2021;95(1):17-24. Accessed January 19, 2025. https://jdh.adha.org/content/jdenthyg/95/1/17.full.pdf
2. The state of the RDH career in 2021. RDH. February 1, 2021. Accessed January 19, 2025. https://www.rdhmag.com/career-profession/article/14190024/the-state-of-the-rdh-career-in-2021
3. Auger A. 4 mistakes every hygienist makes that lead to career disappointment. DentistryIQ. September 24, 2020. Accessed January 20, 2025. https://www.dentistryiq.com/dental-hygiene/career-development/article/14184036/4-mistakes-every-hygienist-makes-that-lead-to-career-disappointment
4. Won SE, Choi MI, Noh H, Han SY, Mun SJ. Measuring workplace violence for clinical dental hygienists. Int J Dent Hyg. June 6, 2021. doi:10.1111/idh.12527
5. Petit JN, Boyd LD, Vineyard J, Dominick C. A survey of the prevalence and predictors of workplace bullying towards the dental hygienist. Int J Dent Hyg. 2021;19(3):332-339. doi:10.1111/idh.12493
6. Cunningham FC, Ranmuthugala G, Plumb J, Georgiou A, Westbrook JI, Braithwaite J. Health professional networks as a vector for improving healthcare quality and safety: a systematic review. BMJ Qual Saf. 2012;21(3):239-249. doi:10.1136/bmjqs-2011-000187
