A letter to new professionals and seasoned hygienists…
Graduating as a new dental hygienist should be exciting. We should feel like we’re stepping out. After years of studying, clinical hours, and board exams, we finally earn the privilege of serving patients, building trust, and promoting oral health as essential to overall well-being.
For many new hygienists stepping into the field today, that excitement comes with a sense of uncertainty. All around the country, discussions question the very core of what our profession stands for. There are many proposals to lower educational standards, reduce licensure requirements, or alter the scope of practice under the guise of “access” or “efficiency.”1
Hearing about these new shifts is alarming. We have just been trained under rigorous, evidence-based standards designed to protect patients and ensure quality care.1 The idea of weakening those standards in the name of convenience undermines not only our professional identity but also the trust patients place in us.
The standard of care isn’t just a benchmark, it’s a promise
The standard of care in dental hygiene exists for a reason. It’s the culmination of research, ethical responsibility, and decades of advocacy from those who came before us.1 We are standing on the shoulders of seasoned hygienists who fought to elevate dental hygiene to where it is today.
We cannot just stand back and stay quiet. We cannot lower that standard, whether through abbreviated educational programs, unlicensed “assistive” roles performing hygiene procedures,2 or by not following through with the standard of care. For instance, we need to be conducting blood pressure screenings, EO/IO examinations, and periodontal probing at every visit.1 We need to help expand access to care, not add to the dilution of it.
True access to care means empowering qualified, educated professionals to work in more settings like hospitals, nursing homes, and public schools.3 We should not be replacing them with people who have not met the same competencies.
As new graduates, we understand how much knowledge and clinical judgment go into every scaling stroke, assessment, and patient conversation. Dental hygiene is preventive health care, not a task list.
The emotional impact on new graduates
When we think back to why we decided to become dental hygienists, most would say that they wanted to be able to make a difference. They wanted to care for their communities, to help close the gaps in oral health, and be valued members of a health-care team that truly impacts lives.3 Watching discussions about “simplifying” or “delegating” our work can feel disheartening., especially when we’re still establishing our confidence in practice. Did we just make a mistake joining this career?
These changes also create confusion in the workplace. Patients may not understand why one provider’s appointment experience feels different from another’s. Hygienists may face unrealistic productivity expectations or pressure to compromise care standards to meet financial goals. For new grads striving to do things “by the book,” this tension can lead to burnout before our careers even take off.
Advocacy: From the clinic to the Capitol
The silver lining is this: every challenge is also a call to action. As new professionals, we have a powerful voice. Our recent education means we’re fluent in science, ethics, and the evolving scope of our field.2 We’re able to take what we’ve learned and use it to stand up for our patients, each other, and the future of our profession.
Joining professional associations like the California Dental Hygienists’ Association (CDHA) or the American Dental Hygienists’ Association (ADHA) connects us with mentors, legislative updates, and opportunities to get involved.2 Writing letters, attending House of Delegates meetings, attending conferences, and engaging in conversations about public policy ensure that the decisions made about our profession include the voices of those who live it daily.
In addition, joining initiatives like the Oral Health Awareness Project (OHAP) is another great way to connect with like-minded hygienists to elevate our profession. One person speaking up can change the whole narrative when they inspire others to join in.
Holding the line while rising together
Change is a natural part of growth, but it’s important to remember that not every change moves us forward. Protecting the standard of care means holding firm to what defines us: critical thinking, compassion, evidence-based practice, and ethical integrity.1 As new grads, we are the next generation of gatekeepers for that standard.
Our responsibility is not just to adapt to the system, but to influence it and remind policymakers, employers, and even our peers that the heart of dental hygiene lies in patient-centered, high-quality care.3 The degree we earn is more than a credential and more than a standard; it’s our promise to protect the health, dignity, and safety of every person who trusts us in that chair.
If we stay rooted in care and rise in purpose, we can face these challenges with confidence and ensure that the profession we love continues to reflect the excellence it was built on.
References
1. Standards for clinical dental hygiene practice. American Dental Hygienists’ Association. 2022. https://www.adha.org/resources-docs/Standards_Clinical_Practice.pdf
2. Licensure and scope of practice for the dental hygiene profession. American Dental Hygienists’ Association. 2023. https://www.adha.org
3. Oral health in America: Advances and challenges. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. National Institutes of Health. 2020. https://www.nidcr.nih.gov/oralhealthinamerica
