Heart, hands, and words: The art of strategic communication in dental hygiene

Dental hygienists are often celebrated for their instinctive ability to connect with people and communicate to bring calm and order to a busy practice. That instinct is real. But in today’s changing world of health care, instinct alone is no longer enough. What truly elevates dental hygiene is strategic communication, intentional use of language, listening, and leadership to build trust, inspire action, and strengthen teams.

Strategic communication transforms our work from task-based to purpose-driven. It’s how we navigate competing priorities, protect ethical standards, and remind both patients and peers that prevention isn’t just our service; it’s our science.

The changing face of dental hygiene

The profession is strong but shifting fast. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics,¹ more than 220,000 dental hygienists practice in the United States, earning a median annual wage of $94,260, with employment expected to grow 7% through 2034. These numbers reflect both opportunity and strain: more patients, more diversity, and higher expectations for collaboration across health-care disciplines.

Yet the workforce feels different.

The American Dental Association² reports that 37% of dentists struggle to fill hygiene positions, citing burnout and inconsistent work-life balance. At the same time, hygiene-program enrollment has risen nearly 20% since 2020. We have fresh talent entering the field but also growing pressure to equip those clinicians with stronger communication and leadership skills. All of this reveals a gap. We have the technical expertise but not always the strategic consistency. Bridging that gap begins with how we communicate.

What strategic communication means

Strategic communication isn’t about being chatty or charming. It moves us from simply informing to communicating in a way that drives change. When communication becomes purposeful, value replaces volume as the measure of success. It’s about being clear, intentional, and ethical and is built on three essentials:

1. Purposeful messaging: Every interaction should have a goal.
2. Audience awareness: Meet people where they are, not where you wish they were.
3. Ethical alignment: Ensure words and actions mirror evidence-based care and the ADHA Code of Ethics.³

Why communication matters

Several studies show that communication directly shapes patient outcomes and professional satisfaction:

Patient satisfaction increased when dental professionals used structured communication, clear explanations, active listening, and shared understanding. This led to higher trust, greater confidence, and reduced anxiety.⁴

The American Dental Education Association⁵ reports that while 82% of hygiene programs teach ethics, fewer than 65% include applied communication strategy.

A Dimensions of Dental Hygiene⁶ survey listed poor communication between dentists and hygienists among the top three causes of turnover.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention⁷ estimates that 47% of adults over 30 have some form of periodontal disease. This statistic highlights the power of conversation in changing behavior, not just performing instrumentation. The message is clear: we cannot treat what we cannot communicate.

From instruction to empowerment

Traditional patient education ­often stops at telling people what to do. Strategic communication includes why it matters to them. Some in our profession do this naturally. This kind of phrasing invites partnership instead of guilt. Research from the American Academy of Periodontology⁸ found that patients who understood the oral-­systemic connection were 40% more likely to keep continuing care appointments. Communication built on empathy changes compliance into commitment. Strategic communicators notice barriers and small wins such as a patient reducing their soda intake from a Big Gulp per day down to a 20 oz. bottle daily. Behavioral framing supports self-­efficacy rather than criticism.

Team dynamics and ethical culture

Strategic communication doesn’t end at the operatory door. It strengthens the professional culture around it. Data-driven phrasing replaces defensiveness with professionalism. It provides tact while navigating pressure. Industry reports consistently show that case acceptance improves when teams use structured, patient-friendly communication rather than ad-lib presentations. Communication provides the language to respond with composure ethically, with clarity, and paired with respectful delivery that protects both clinician and patient.

Communication as retention

Retention isn’t just about wages but includes belonging. The ADHA⁹ found that hygienists who describe their workplaces as “communicative and transparent” are 2.5 times more likely to stay beyond five years. This sense of psychological safety, the belief it’s safe to speak up, lowers errors and boosts productivity.¹⁰ When people feel heard, they invest more deeply. For dental practices, that translates into stable teams and consistent patient care.

Preparing the next generation

Academic-industry partnerships now give hygienists more chances to teach and lead, but communication education hasn’t caught up. Only one in five programs measures communication competence beyond patient-education checklists.⁵ New graduates are clinically ready yet often verbally underresourced. Integrating strategic communication into simulations, interprofessional projects, and reflection journals will close that gap. Students need models of calm, credible conversation just as much as scaling technique.

Communication, ethics, and credibility

Ethics is not just about compliance but also credibility. When ethics are spoken aloud, they shape culture more powerfully than any poster on the wall. Clear, compassionate conversation honors beneficence, autonomy, and veracity.³

Beneficence: “I’m recommending this because it prevents future disease.”

Autonomy: “Here are your choices; I’ll support whichever fits your needs.”

Veracity: “This finding is early; we can address it before it progresses.”

Overcoming everyday barriers

Even experienced clinicians face communication hurdles. Time pressure can tempt us to rush or skip dialogue altogether, making it even more important to integrate short but meaningful statements that preserve connection. Role ambiguity may surface when questions about scope arise, and this is where citing evidence or board language brings clarity and confidence to the conversation. Team tension can also interfere with communication, but centering discussions on shared goals such as “We both want better outcomes,” helps reset the tone.

And finally, technology can easily distract from human interaction. Pausing to make eye contact before charting reinforces rapport and reminds us that communication is as clinical as instrumentation.

Public health, technology, and ROI

Strategic communication extends beyond the chair to advocacy. Strategic communication also plays a critical role beyond the operatory. Hygienists regularly use data, clarity, and compassionate storytelling to help communities understand why prevention matters and how oral health connects to overall wellness.

Artificial intelligence may enhance diagnostics, but empathy remains the differentiator. While technology can support diagnosis and education, patients still rely on their clinicians for clarity, trust, and reassurance. Technology can support care, but only communication builds relationships. Communication training pays off. Practices consistently see fewer missed appointments when patients receive personalized explanations that feel specific to their needs.

Industry reports consistently show that case acceptance improves when teams use structured, patient-friendly communication rather than ad-lib presentations.

Double the retention rate in teams that invest in communication development.¹¹

Preventive-care research⁴ shows that when patients clearly understand their condition, nearly 40% of the variance in treatment adherence is explained by communication quality.

From clinician to communicator-leader

Strategic communication is the next frontier of hygiene leadership. Modern hygienists aren’t defined only by what they clean, but by what they clarify. Influence now matters as much as instrumentation. Whether you’re mentoring students, partnering with a dentist, or leading a corporate initiative, your words carry weight. Leadership isn’t about title; it’s about using communication to turn care into collaboration.

A framework for growth: R.E.A.C.H.

I developed the R.E.A.C.H. framework as a practical tool to guide intentional, compassionate, and effective communication in dental hygiene. R.E.A.C.H. brings structure to the way we speak, listen, and understand one another. It reflects the communication values I’ve seen elevate patient care, strengthen teams, and build trust across the profession. R.E.A.C.H. transforms ordinary dialogue into intentional connection.

Reflect—Identify the goal of each conversation so your words are grounded in purpose.

Engage—Listen actively and validate the feelings, barriers, or needs beneath the surface.

Align—Connect recommendations to shared values and what matters most to the other person.

Clarify—Simplify language, remove jargon, and confirm understanding to prevent confusion.

Hold accountable—Follow up, check in, and support progress without judgment.

Beyond the knack

Dental hygiene will always require dexterity, empathy, and that natural knack for care, but the future depends on our ability to communicate with strategy, evidence, and heart. When hygienists speak with purpose, patients listen. When teams communicate with transparency, workplaces thrive. When leaders blend ethics with empathy, the entire profession advances. Strategic communication is not a soft skill; it’s a clinical competency. It connects the science in our hands with the humanity in our hearts, and it’s how dental hygiene moves from being a knack to becoming a force. 

Editor's note: This article appeared in the January/February 2026 print edition of RDH magazine. Dental hygienists in North America are eligible for a complimentary print subscription. Sign up here.

References

1. Occupational outlook handbook: dental hygienists. US Bureau of Labor Statistics. US Department of Labor. 2024. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/dental-hygienists.htm
2. Dental workforce survey. ADA Health Policy Institute. American Dental Association. https://www.ada.org/resources/research/health-policy-institute/dentist-workforce
3. ADHA Code of Ethics. American Dental Hygienists’ Association. October 2024. https://www.adha.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/ADHA-Code-of-Ethics_FY24_10_18.pdf
4. Hamasaki T, Kato H, Kumagai T, Hagihara A. Association between dentist–dental hygienist communication and dental treatment outcomes. Health Commun. 2017;32(3):288-297. doi:10.1080/10410236.2016.1138376
5. Data, analysis, & research. Survey of dental hygiene programs. American Dental Education Association. 2023. https://www.adea.org/data/
6. Addressing dental hygienists’ workforce issues. Dimensions of Dental Hygiene. October 28, 2022. https://dimensionsofdentalhygiene.com/addressing-dental-hygienists-workforce-issues/
7. Gum disease facts. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. May 15, 2024. https://www.cdc.gov/oral-health/data-research/facts-stats/fast-facts-gum-disease.html
8. Isola G, Santonocito S, Lupi SM, et al. Periodontal health and disease in the context of systemic disorders. Mediatros Inflamm. 2023;2023:9720947. doi:10.1155/2023/9720947
9. Herway J. How to create a culture of psychological safety. Gallup. December 7, 2017. https://www.gallup.com/workplace/236198/create-culture-psychological-safety.aspx
10. MO HealthNet Division. Missouri Department of Social Services. 2024. https://mydss.mo.gov/adult-medicaid-expansion-and-mo-healthnet-coverage-faqs-0
11. Position statement dental hygiene workforce shortage. American Dental Hygienists’ Association. 2024. https://www.adha.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/ADHA_PositionStatement_2024-12-02_Dental_Hygiene_Workforce_Shortage.pdf