Mentorship and advocacy in dental hygiene: Speak up for patients and one another
In the vibrant landscape of health care, the power of mentorship, leadership, and advocacy shines through stories of collaboration and growth. I was very fortunate to have had outstanding mentors guide me through my early years of entrepreneurship, including my dear friend Patti DiGangi.
Her insights into leadership and advocacy have been instrumental in my journey and are reflected in this article. Our work together showcases the strength we find in collaboration and support, building each other up for greater impact and professional satisfaction.
Embracing leadership: Transforming visions into reality
Leadership in dental hygiene means passion, innovation, and a commitment to excellence. Dental hygienists are not just practitioners; we are trailblazers who understand that leadership involves recognizing when to step up and when to step down. This balance ensures that actions are impactful and considerate of the team's dynamics and individual roles.
Adaptive leadership and making a difference: True leadership lies in knowing when to step up to lead change and when to step back to let others shine. This adaptability is grounded in the belief that one can make a difference, fueling the courage to initiate positive change in the profession and patient outcomes.
Building communities of growth through mentorship and accountability: Guiding through mentorship and accountability involves helping others discover their potential while holding them accountable and nurturing independence and confidence. This dual role fosters professional friendships that enhance leadership development and builds a community of growth. By cultivating these connections, dental hygienists create a supportive environment where knowledge is shared and growth is celebrated. These strong bonds enable a compassionate and informed approach to leadership and patient care, ultimately enhancing the profession. This also leads to less burnout.
Embracing your professional value: Understanding and valuing yourself as a health-care professional is essential for effective advocacy and leadership. Dental hygienists hold the power to profoundly impact their patients’ lives and are often entrusted with the responsibility of influencing their health outcomes. Recognizing this power, dental hygienists can embrace their roles as medical specialists who provide essential care.
As dental hygienists refine their leadership roles, they set the stage for advocacy, where the objective shifts toward ensuring optimal care for patients. This transition from leadership to advocacy is seamless and natural, as both aspects are intrinsically connected through the commitment to excellence and patient welfare.
Seizing the role of advocacy in dental hygiene
Advocacy is so important for us and the patients we serve. This was vividly illustrated during a recent personal experience. I had surgery and spent five challenging days in the hospital. I encountered a nurse who was unwilling to provide the prescribed pain relief I needed. This nurse made it abundantly clear that she was not going to advocate for my needs. Fortunately, I could advocate for myself, and I did, standing up to ensure my needs were met. However, this scenario underscored a startling reality: many health-care professionals and patients cannot or do not take such actions.
This experience heightened my awareness and commitment to advocacy, particularly as it relates to oral health-care professionals who often find themselves in similar situations—balancing the needs of their patients with systemic limitations. As a former clinical hygienist, I may no longer advocate for others in a chairside capacity, but my role has evolved. I now champion for patients' medical benefits as they relate to dentistry. Just like in my own story, your patients need a strong advocate for their care, and that is YOU, as an oral health-care provider, stepping up to do what is beyond the standard of care.
How dental hygienists serve as advocates
Patient-centered advocacy: At its core, advocacy is all about the patient. Dental hygienists are the steadfast champions who fight for their patients’ best interests, ensuring they receive the respect, care, and options they deserve. Hygienists provide the crucial support that many patients need because not everyone is accustomed to fighting for themselves. Your advocacy can literally enhance and, at times, save lives by using your expertise to serve those who trust you with their care.
The gift of health: Patients entrust us with their lives, and advocacy allows us to honor that trust. It involves ensuring patients have all necessary information to make informed decisions. You respect their perspectives while they value what you have to offer. In this exchange, you wield the immense power of positively affecting lives.
Informed decision-making and challenging norms: Advocacy often means questioning established norms and tailoring care beyond cookie-cutter approaches. As an advocate, your role is crucial in advising patients on their health and ensuring they have the insights needed to challenge the status quo if it’s not serving their best interests.
Empowered listening and professional identity: Advocacy is about truly listening to patient concerns, preferences, and experiences. It involves seeing beyond immediate needs and understanding the broader context of a patient's life and health. This makes the role of oral health-care provider indispensable, one that goes far beyond "just a hygienist," to cement your unique position as a professional.
By embracing these principles of advocacy, dental hygienists enhance the patient care experience and significantly contribute to the advancement of public health. They empower patients, challenge the status quo, and bring about meaningful change through informed and compassionate care.
A bright future awaits for hygienists and their patients
As dental hygienists embrace their roles as leaders and advocates, they light the way for the entire profession. Their commitment to these aspects elevates oral health on the public agenda, while their contributions transform clinical practice and community interactions.
This ensures that dental hygienists will continue to be agents of change, inspiring a future where excellence in health care flourishes. As champions of smiles and systemic change, dental hygienists are leaders who leave an indelible mark on the world of health. With each patient they empower and every policy they influence, they pave the way to a brighter, healthier future for all.
Author's note: Contributions and insights provided by Patti DiGangi, RDH.
Editor's note: This article appeared in the June 2025 print edition of RDH magazine. Dental hygienists in North America are eligible for a complimentary print subscription. Sign up here.
