Thanks for asking your question here, Chelsea! I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but I would say by and large getting a Rihanna style haircut, where your head is shaved underneath, will not be to your benefit in the work field or when looking for a job. It’s a cute haircut for sure, and I know there are dentists who wouldn’t mind, but it’s important to think about how all your different patients would react. Sadly, there will be some who will be uncomfortable with a look like that. It’s probably not a haircut you would have had when interviewing for hygiene school, so it’s probably not something you want in the working world. When it doubt, it’s best to err more on the conservative side for things like haircuts, visible tattoos and piercings, and other aspects of your appearance that you can control.
It depends what the vibe of the office is. Maybe you’d fit right in at an office in a trendy part of town where the patient base is young and hip! I’ve temped at at a place like this and the male DDS wore an earring.
I agree with Kara. We are health care professionals and unfortunately I don’t believe Rihanna’s hair style is appropriate for our field. It is cute don’t get me wrong. But patients want to see you clean cut and well kept if they are going to be treated by you.
I think it would depend what type of setting you plan to work in and if your employer would mind. When working in a private practice setting, you represent your doctor and company. When working in a prison setting or low-income dental care facility hairstyles may not be as important, however you are still representing hygienists as a whole. Rihanna has had good and bad hairstyles in the past, but I would say to do what best represents YOU and wear it with confidence!