How are you supporting the hygienists who are committed to doing their best work, and does your practice give them the equipment, communication, and environment they need to succeed? In this episode, Kirk Behrendt talks with Katrina Sanders, a practicing periodontal hygienist, speaker, and consultant, about the other side of the dental hygiene shortage and why high-performing hygienists sometimes leave practices where they do not feel supported.
You will learn how to create better clinical alignment, establish productive feedback systems, invest in the tools your hygiene team needs, and build an environment where licensed professionals can contribute solutions and do their best work. To learn how dentists and hygienists can work together to improve alignment and patient care, listen to Episode 1098 of The Best Practices Show!
Main Takeaways:
- Hygienists who are committed to high-level patient care need appropriate instruments, equipment, and support to perform their jobs effectively.
- Practice owners should create regular opportunities for hygienists to communicate what equipment and resources they need.
- Clinical calibration should happen intentionally rather than through disagreements or inconsistent decisions in front of patients.
- Dentists can undermine a hygienist's credibility when they contradict clinical concerns in front of patients without prior alignment.
- Practices should establish clear standards of excellence so dentists and hygienists understand how clinical decisions will be made.
- A 1-3-1 feedback system can help team members present one problem, three possible solutions, and one recommended solution instead of simply making complaints.
- Hygienists who do not feel encouraged to do their best work may choose to leave a practice even when compensation is not the primary issue.
Episode Chapters:
00:00 Kirk introduces Katrina Sanders and the question of how practices take care of the people who take care of patients.
01:40 Katrina shares her background as a practicing periodontal hygienist, speaker, consultant, and advocate for committed dental hygienists.
02:42 Katrina explains why highly motivated hygienists may leave practices where they cannot practice to the top of their abilities.
05:37 Katrina discusses her keynote at RDH Under One Roof and the importance of hygienists practicing beyond simply cleaning teeth.
08:02 Katrina describes an instrument exercise that revealed how many hygienists continue using equipment that should be retired.
09:29 Hygienists share challenges with getting support for new equipment and protocols in their practices.
12:25 Kirk and Katrina discuss authentic dialogue, artificial harmony, and fear of workplace conflict.
15:22 Creating safe feedback loops
17:00 Why access to effective instruments matters clinically
20:58 Alignment in hiring and culture
23:37 Katrina discusses how the hygiene shortage gives practices an opportunity to create environments where hygienists can thrive.
25:21 Dentists and hygienists misalignment and how it can damage the hygienist's credibility
26:57 Katrina describes intentional clinical calibration and quality assurance processes used in her practice.
29:03 The importance of maintaining agreed-upon clinical standards and signaling support for the hygiene team.
31:57 The 1-3-1 feedback system for turning problems into solution-based conversations.
33:34 Katrina discusses data showing significant job movement among dental hygienists and why work environment matters.
37:08 How to create a structured, solution-based communication for the hygienist, dentist, practice, and patient.
41:49 Katrina shares an example of worn periodontal probes contributing to poor periodontal diagnosis and treatment numbers.
44:00 Resources & wrap up
Guest Bio/Guest Resources:
In the ever-changing world of dental science where research, technology, and techniques for patient care are constantly evolving, dental professionals look to continuing education to provide insight, deliver actionable steps, empower, and create a dramatic impact within their clinical practice.
With wit, charm, and a dash of humor, Katrina Sanders enchants dental professionals with her course deliverables, insightful content, and delightful inspiration. Her message of empowerment rings mighty throughout her lectures and stirs a deep sense of motivation amongst course participants.
Katrina is the Clinical Liaison for AZPerio, the country's largest periodontal practice. She performs clinically, working alongside Diplomates to the American Board of Periodontology in the surgical operatory. Katrina perfected techniques during L.A.N.A.P. surgery, suture placement, IV therapy, and blood draws. She instructs on collaborative professionalism and standard-of-care protocols while delivering education through hygiene boot camps and study clubs.
Resources mentioned:
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