"Buy Now, Pay Later"The Price We Pay to Become a Dental Hygienist

Image Courtesy of Andrea Piacquadio

Do you remember life before and during dental hygiene school? If you ask most dental hygienists, they will tell you those were some of the most difficult times of their lives. We all assume the golden ticket to happiness awaits us when we finally receive our dental hygiene degree. Yet, the rise of burnout in the dental hygiene profession suggests otherwise. Reflecting on my time in formal dental hygiene education, I started to wonder, does burnout start post-graduation or sometime before?

Dental hygiene school has the potential to create subconscious habits that might lead to burnout later in our careers. It all starts with the decision to apply. Seats in these schools are coveted and limited, which leads us on a journey to create the perfect dental hygiene avatar of ourselves. This avatar strives for the best grades, experiences, and reference letters to ensure acceptance into dental hygiene school. Errors and setbacks during this time often diminish our confidence levels and push us harder to become the “perfect” candidate.

That avatar doesn’t disappear once accepted but often grows until it is difficult to separate one from the other. There is a unique dental hygiene subculture that normalizes the need for perfection, to never make mistakes, and that failure is unacceptable. Sometimes this is exacerbated by the faculty, but oftentimes these invisible pressures are placed on us. These pressures combined with the unparalleled rigors, sleepless nights, and mental breakdowns are all considered normal on this journey to becoming a dental hygienist.

As a dental hygiene educator, I was very aware of the shift in my students from day one to graduation day. The students went from starry-eyed and fresh-faced to sleep-deprived and caffeine-riddled. After several years of this lifestyle, how can we expect people to shed these subconscious habits and become thriving, well-adjusted dental hygienists who understand balance and self-worth? The goal is to become a dental hygienist, but the price we pay is not considered until burnout occurs.

Is it possible that dental hygiene school culture turns passionate entry-level professionals into future burnt-out, hygiene haters? It is a question worth considering. However, with the increase in burn-out also comes an increase in awareness. The number of people sharing their burnout stories on social media alone helps combat this issue. The rise in dental hygiene coaches who specialize in burnout also shows an overwhelming need for this type of support. I think it is important to consider where these habits start and address them sooner.

I encourage any students who are embarking on this journey to consider the stressors they will face and prepare for them before the first day of school. Finances, learning disabilities, and mental health issues should be addressed before acceptance when possible. A solid foundation in self-care, mindset, and spirituality can also strengthen a student’s resolve in the hardest of times. Just as we can learn to become dental hygienists, we can also learn how to care for ourselves. We can build a foundation by prioritizing our mental and physical needs before it is too late. With self-care practices, support, and preparation, it’s possible to grow from a dental hygiene student into a skilled hygienist who is mentally and physically prepared for what comes after graduation.