9 tips for post-COVID professionalism to set yourself apart

I remember my first job. I’ve always loved animals, so as soon as I got my working papers at age 14, I marched into the nearest pet shop decked out in my best clothes and introduced myself to the manager. I shook his hand, made eye contact, and told him how my knowledge could improve sales and pet retention because hand-taming was a big part of my mission.

Afterward, I mailed a handwritten note thanking him for his time. Ten days later, he called to see when I could start working. I showed up 10 minutes early, stayed 15 minutes late to complete tasks, and used professional language while at work. To top it off, I made good on my goals, using my time to hand-tame hamsters, parakeets, and even reptiles, which we marketed as “tame” and sold with a complete habitat setup.

I applied my work ethics to dental hygiene 

When I graduated from hygiene school, I adapted the same work ethic. I showed up on time, treated patients and staff with professional courtesy, and held myself accountable. This allowed me to maintain good networking relationships. While there was always one difficult or flakey employee in every office, the general code of conduct exuded professionalism.

Then COVID happened. The whole world was turned upside down and the dental profession suffered the loss of many good providers and support team members. Some fell ill, some retired, and others moved on to new endeavors.

Yet something unexplainable happened with those who stayed. The demand for hygienists soared, as did the cost of dental materials. Doctors now have greater overhead and empty hygiene rooms to staff, and the cost of a quality hygienist rose by about 40%. (In New York state, pay rose from $45 an hour to $60 an hour in just a few months.)

While so many opportunities for employment was a great thing, many dental professionals have begun to take this for granted. One negative result of this phenomenon is the steady decrease in professionalism among a surprisingly large group of my colleagues. While I encounter many dental hygienists who continue to uphold high standards, too many others have decided it’s easier to abruptly bail and get a new job than it is to have an uncomfortable conversation.

In my current role, I’m part of the recruiting, interviewing, and onboarding process. The number of hygienists who just flat out ghost me is shocking! I’m hearing similar stories from others in dentistry across the nation.

I’m proud of the work dental hygienists do. I’m proud of the tenacious, invested, hands-on, frontline people with all types of personalities who enter our noble profession. This is why I’d like to share nine tips on professional conduct to help you set yourself apart.

9 tips for professional conduct in dental hygiene

1. Show honest transparency

 The mark of a true professional is the ability to say “no thank you” with grace. When you’re offered a position that you’re not interested in, it’s more professional to say, “Thank you, but I’m not in a place where I can accept this opportunity” than it is to beat around the bush. Be reasonably forthcoming about your professional goals so everyone can save time and energy.

2. Never ghost anyone

It’s terrible this needs to be said, but ghosting at any time in the hiring process or employment tenure is bad form. As hard as it may be to tell someone you received a better offer, this is part of being an adult. It shows you have a spine, and it shows respect. Declining an offer professionally can keep you in the running for a future role. If you ghost, you’ll go on the “do not hire” list.

3. Always follow up

Take meticulous notes to remind yourself and then actually do what you say you will. When someone says they will “circle back to me early next week” and they email me on Tuesday, that shows professionalism. After an important meeting where someone made time for you, send a thank you card on real stationery. When a colleague has a planned surgery, write down the date and send a get-well message the next day. The same goes for having babies, major speaking engagements, and important professional reviews. Following up makes you a leader. 

4. Actually do your job 

Earth shattering advice, right? Yes, doing your job well and in a timely manner is THE most professional thing to do, and the hardest to be consistent about. If you find yourself gossiping or complaining, catch yourself and redirect your focus to the task at hand—your job. Before you offer to do something extra at work, make sure you’re already taking care of business when it comes to the basic expectations.

5. Shine a light on others

The best way to get ahead is to show that you’re a team player. Touting someone’s praises when they do well shows that you can be trusted to extract the best from others, not compete with them. It means you know your worth and aren’t threatened by others' success.

6. Keep work and private lives separate

When you spend a lot of time with someone, it's easy to feel a deeper connection than there really is. The number of coworkers who actually become real friends is surprisingly small. It’s fine to share personal interests and events but keep your relationship or financial struggles to yourself. Gossip happens and those things can make you look unstable and untrustworthy.

7. Don't be afraid of confrontation

There will come a time when you have to confront someone. Doing so can be less stressful if you stay calm, not defensive, and keep a problem-solving attitude. Nobody is a monster, they just have a different point of view. Remember, anger is akin to temporary mental illness; someone isn’t in their right mind. Respond, don’t react, and you’ll come out of the experience with dignity.

8. Own your mistakes

If you fail to do any of the above suggestions, apologize, shake it off, don’t repeat the offense, and carry on. We all make mistakes but not all of us own them like a pro. Be different by being forthcoming about your goof and showing grace as you move past it.

9. Hire a professional coach 

If you want to take your career to the next level, having someone in your corner vested in seeing you grow is a sure step toward success. That's why many great athletes, surgeons, and CEOs nearly all have a coach. It’s always hard to see yourself clearly, and the personalized support of a coach can tap into gifts and overcome obstacles you never knew you had.