I too am a quiet hygienist. I too see patients on time and dismiss them on time. Only time I find myself talking a lot is when I’m discussing oral care/health issues. I feel some hygienists talk a lot because they are uncomfortable with their patients. I’ve never had that problem.

We provide laser tx to all SRP patients (completed at the end of the SRP appt). We do not code it because it is included in the SRP tx cost. Then we recommend it to any pt that show gum infection at $30 flat out of pocket cost. Per tx (however many tooth/quads). We have one laser for hygiene dept and another for the dentist.

Mailing worked for me! Make sure you handwrite the name and address on a nice envelope.

How awful to be interrupted all day long like that. However, having to get up and walk to another op might do your body good (trying to be optimistic here). Don’t allow it to run the hygiene schedule behind. We try too hard to maximize our patient’s care and run behind and stress ourselves out. Some things will not be completed that day- just let it go for the next appt.

The doctor probably would not rather deal with that. That’s what office managers are for!

I agree with RileyRDH- I would wait a year.

Sorry to say but your dentist is the enabler of the situation. Too bad I’m not the hygienist that comes in on those Fridays. I too would leave it perfectly stocked, organized, and ready to go. I agree with Sue Halverson that you should clock in on the weekends (or anytime) that you’re there.

Haha.. that’s a great story RileyRDH. Many years ago, I too found a day’s work at an HMO office. I remember they had one old ultrasonic unit on a flimsy cart with wheels so that we can wheel it from op to op. The cord was plugged into an extension cord which then ran across the entrance of the op, making it a hazard. They had probes that were broken that were not replaced. The patients usually waited over an hour to be seen for anything because of double booking. But the part I disliked the most was the feeling I was always “on-call.” I never knew who I was going to see at the last minute.

I bet a lot of people (not just in dental hygiene) feel the way you do! It’s the “life trap” we find ourselves in when we decide to have family.

I’m thankful for laser tx, nitrous oxide tx and facilitating the dentist’s diagnosis (using i/o camera) that adds variety to my schedule. Unfortunately that’s only for two days a week. The other two days are filled with those mind-numbing back to back prophies.

It helps to have a 5 or 10 year plan. Just see yourself down the road when the kids have grown. Maybe then you can scale back a day or two and pursue your hobby/passion.

Thanks for the tips. They’re really helpful!