Question: I’m a new graduate. Now that some states allow dental assistants to scale, how do I help my patients understand the value of being treated by a registered dental hygienist?
Answer from Kimberly Augustus, BA, RDH: It’s completely valid to feel a mix of concern, frustration, and even a little panic when you hear about legislative changes that seem to blur the lines between the roles of dental assistants and hygienists, especially after all the pain and tears you endured in dental hygiene school.
But here’s the thing: there is power in what we do as RDHs, and patients can understand that if we take the time to communicate our value with confidence. (Trust me, that confidence WILL come!)
As a new grad, your role isn’t just about picking and polishing teeth. It’s about:
- Comprehensive assessment,
- Critical thinking,
- Evidence-based decision making,
- Patient education, and
- Disease prevention and early detection.
You bring a clinical outlook that goes far beyond basic instrumentation. So, how do you communicate this to your patients without sounding like you’re putting down another provider? Here are four practical ways to do that:
1. Make your expertise known, but do so subtly.
You don’t have to rattle off your degrees and all the exams you had to take to get licensed, but you can naturally weave your knowledge into patient conversations:
- “Because of your pocket depths and tissue changes, I’m going to recommend a different approach to your care.”
- “Let’s review your risk factors for periodontal disease and how they relate to your medical history.”
These moments reinforce that you’re doing more than “cleaning teeth”: you’re providing personalized, evidence-based care.
2. Educate with empathy.
When patients ask why their friend goes to an assistant for their cleaning, respond without being defensive:
- “That’s a great question! In some places, assistants are allowed to do limited preventive care. As a licensed hygienist, I’m trained to assess your periodontal condition and work with your provider to co-manage your health.”
Keep the tone light but informative. Patients remember how you make them feel.
3. Build trust over time.
Your consistency, care, and professionalism are your advocacy. Patients may not understand the difference right away, but they’ll feel it in the way you tailor their care, explain procedures, and follow up on their concerns.
4. Be proud and stay informed.
You don’t have to defend your role—you embody it. The more confident and prouder you are of your training and your purpose, the more others will recognize it too. Stay aware of what’s happening in the profession. Advocacy is a team effort. When you show up as an educated, engaged professional, you elevate the whole field.
So yes, the industry is shifting. But the value of a registered dental hygienist is still strong, still vital, and still blooming.
