Being a dental hygienist today isn’t what it used to be, and honestly, that’s a good thing.
After more than a decade in clinical practice, I’ve watched our profession evolve alongside massive shifts in health care. Our operatories may look only slightly different, taking on a modern, chic finish, but the landscape around us has transformed entirely.
Patients are more informed and value their autonomy like never before. They’re asking questions, seeking second opinions, and expecting transparency. That’s something to celebrate and marvel about as we see communities take accountability for their health. It’s through that accountability that we create sustainable outcomes.
Some of the problems we face
At the same time, access to care continues to be threatened. Public health funding is being pushed aside, leaving vulnerable communities with fewer options. Clinicians are flocking to cities just to earn a livable wage, further deepening the divide in care accessibility.
Many of us entered this field with a deep desire to serve, and it’s difficult to watch resources disappear while the demand for care continues to grow. Add to that a system where reimbursement rates have not kept pace with inflation or the rising cost of education, and the strain on our profession becomes even more evident.
We live in an era where misinformation spreads faster than truth. Social media has blurred the line between evidence-based science and personal opinion, eroding public trust in health-care professionals. Divisions are growing in our own industry. In clinics, we witness the effects firsthand when we encounter patients who are unsure who or what to believe.
When profit becomes the driving force behind treatment recommendations, this chips away at the integrity of care that drew so many of us to this work in the first place. Yet, despite it all, something powerful is happening.
Hygienists are taking action
We’re waking up to the broken systems we once accepted. We’re asking better questions. We’re connecting across generations, which bridges the wisdom of experience with the curiosity of those just entering the field. Continuing education no longer happens just once a year; it happens every day in online communities, podcasts, and mentorships. Knowledge has become our fuel, and it’s changing how we see our role.
The next era of dental hygiene won’t be defined for us; it will be defined by us. We’re realizing that our voices matter in legislation, policy, and education. We have the power to shape our scope of practice, influence how preventive care is delivered, and advocate for systems that make this profession sustainable for generations to come.
For me, being an RDH in 2026 means leading with intention, mentoring the next generation, advocating for equity in access, and redefining what sustainable care truly looks like. It means holding space for our patients while also holding the system accountable. We’re more connected, more informed, and more united than ever before. The world is shifting, and so are we.
