Many dental hygienists throughout the nation are seeing will increase in hourly wages as a consequence of components such because the COVID-19 pandemic, a scarcity of hygienists, and stronger self-advocacy.1 Whereas the hourly charge is a crucial issue, it is only one piece of a bigger puzzle when contemplating a brand new place. Right here’s a have a look at that larger image.
Well being advantages
As health-care professionals, hygienists know the way essential it’s to have entry to well being advantages. Nonetheless, relying on the dental workplace, many hygienists don’t get them by way of their employer. In 2022, it was reported that solely 22.5% of RDHs employed in non-public practices acquired well being advantages by way of their employers, whereas 63.5% of RDHs working in company dental places of work reported that they have been supplied with medical health insurance.2 This highlights the necessity for a extra uniform strategy to well being advantages for all dental hygienists.
You may additionally be considering: Ballot: Half of RDHs report not receiving a increase in previous yr
If well being advantages aren’t included in your employment package deal, think about negotiating for a month-to-month incentive to assist offset your medical health insurance prices. You would suggest both a hard and fast month-to-month stipend or a percentage-based incentive towards your month-to-month medical health insurance bills.
401(ok)/retirement
There aren’t many stories on the common profession span of dental hygienists in medical observe, which would supply perspective on profession longevity. A 2020 survey revealed that nearly 31% of hygienists reported experiencing burnout.3 There are even devoted Fb pages about burnout amongst dental hygienists. Planning for the long run is all the time a good suggestion, so be sure you inquire in regards to the availability of 401(ok) or retirement plans as a part of your employment package deal.
Trip and private break day
Balancing work and private life is essential to sustaining general happiness, making trip time an integral part of any employment settlement; it isn’t wholesome to be fully consumed in work with out breaks. Prioritizing time for your self is important, whether or not it is for a household trip or just an prolonged weekend at dwelling. Everybody wants periodic breaks from work all year long. Set up clear phrases for both paid break day or devoted unpaid break day in your employment contract.
Bonus construction
Dental hygiene provides employers varied alternatives for implementing moral bonus techniques that complement earnings with out compromising skilled integrity. These bonus buildings can embrace fluoride software, electrical toothbrush gross sales, and scheduling follow-up recare visits. For instance, a month-to-month bonus may very well be awarded for assembly sure day by day manufacturing objectives. Employers simply want to make sure these incentives are structured in a approach that ethically rewards suppliers for enhancing affected person care and clinic productiveness.
Continued training/license renewal payment
In California, dental hygienists are required to pay a $300 license renewal payment each two years, a big enhance from what it was in 2022.4 Dental hygienists are additionally required to finish persevering with training programs, which provides further expense. Collaborating with a dentist who covers the prices of constant training and license renewal is a transparent indication that they worth their hygienists.
Sufferers per day and work atmosphere
Be conscious of the construction and techniques of the workplace, which can not all the time be sustainable.5 This would possibly contain schedules resembling double-column hygiene or condensed 45-minute appointments. Whereas such fashions can work effectively in some settings, hygienists must have a transparent understanding of what kind of labor atmosphere permits them to really feel fulfilled.
When contemplating a job place, ask in regards to the affected person load and appointment occasions, guaranteeing these align together with your skilled requirements and work preferences earlier than being swayed by a excessive hourly charge.
Growing hourly charges for hygienists is optimistic and long-awaited. Nonetheless, when evaluating job alternatives, think about your entire image. Look past simply the pay charge; discover further advantages and make sure the work atmosphere meets your skilled requirements and private preferences.
