For over 100 years, dentists have graduated and opened practices, trained to think clinically and business-minded. Dental hygienists, historically, were not. We were trained to deliver excellent care inside someone else’s model. But that is changing.
Five years ago, I nervously stepped into the world of mobile dental hygiene in Utah. What I didn’t fully understand at the time was what autonomy would feel like. After seeing my first patient, I realized:
- I chose the treatment.
- I chose the products.
- I chose how much time to spend.
- I chose what to charge.
That autonomy was empowering, and the verve I once had for dental hygiene returned. While traditional private practice will always remain foundational, new autonomous pathways are expanding access to care in public health settings, long-term care facilities, and underserved communities, and here in Utah as in other states, we just added hospitals. Research supports this shift: states with expanded scopes of practice for dental hygienists have shown improved access, particularly for underserved populations.1 Colorado’s direct access model has been shown to increase utilization of preventive services and reduce geographic barriers.2
Building your practice from the ground up
Part of the thrill of autonomy is building your own practice from the ground up. Choosing a name for your business (the hardest part), securing your state and local business license, getting a business bank account, and obtaining a National Provider Number are more than just administrative steps; they are the foundation for creating a system that enables better patient care.
Next steps
With these tools in place, you can structure workflows, coordinate care, and deliver services such as teledentistry and asynchronous dental exams, expanding access to patients who might otherwise face barriers.
Focusing on essential health services
This work is deeply rewarding. By focusing on the essential health services—periodontal therapy, inflammation therapy, and systemic care—dental hygienists provide care that addresses oral and overall health, helping patients prevent disease rather than only treating symptoms.
Through autonomous practice, dental hygienists are not only improving access to care, but also redefining the profession, demonstrating that our expertise and decision-making are essential components of patient-centered care.
Helpful resources
As I began this journey, I quickly realized I didn’t have to figure it out all alone. Connecting with mentors, learning from clinicians who were already practicing independently, and tapping into trusted industry resources became invaluable. These connections not only gave me practical guidance, but also the confidence to move forward in a space that can feel uncertain at first.
If you’re exploring autonomy, start by looking into organizations like the American Mobile & Teledentistry Alliance and attending events such as the National Mobile & Teledentistry Conference. Seek out mentors who are already practicing independently and spend time reviewing your state practice act and dental board guidelines, so you fully understand your scope and opportunities.
I also encourage you to consider attending RDH Under One Roof, where I’ll be teaching a course on getting started in mobile and portable dentistry as part of the new RDH-Mobile track.
Redefining collaboration
As we look ahead, it’s clear that dental hygiene is evolving. The expansion of collaborative practice models and increased access to care opportunities are opening doors that didn’t exist before. Stepping into autonomy doesn’t mean stepping away from collaboration; it means redefining it.
Whether your path leads you to mobile care, public health, or independent practice, the opportunity to make a meaningful impact has never been greater.
Want to learn more about the autonomous dental hygiene model in Utah? Check out my YouTube video.
More about mobile dentistry: Is mobile dentistry for you?
Editor’s note: This article first appeared in RDH eVillage newsletter, a publication of the Endeavor Business Media Dental Group. Read more articles and subscribe.
References
- Langelier M, Continelli T, Moore J, Baker B, Surdu S. Expanded scopes of practice for dental hygienists associated with improved oral health outcomes for adults. Health Aff (Millwood). 2016;35(12):2207-2215. doi:10.1377/hlthaff.2016.0807
- Oral health workforce in Colorado. Colorado Health Institute. 2013. https://www.coloradohealthinstitute.org/sites/default/files/file_attachments/OralHealthReport.pdf
