RDH Checklist for Finding Work
By Sharon B., RDH | ultralightblogs@gmail.com
By Sharon B., RDH
ultralightblogs@gmail.com
Are you looking for a new full or part-time dental hygienist position? Working as an RDH provides you with both flexibility and competitive pay. But as rewarding as the career can be, you still need to be able to weed out (and identify) less desirable job openings from the one you really want. Here are 5 steps to get you started.
Step 1. Research, Research, Research
Spend a few hours looking into average salaries, job availability, and practices hiring in the area you’re looking at. While you’re at it, look to see what the hiring history is like for certain dental practices. Is there always a job open or posted? They could have a high turnover rate because of undesirable work conditions. Look at practice reviews online, such as on Yelp! or Google. Just remember to read through them with a grain of salt. Be sure to scroll through social media pages as well, to see how “in touch” hiring dentists are with their staff and community.
Step 1. Research, Research, Research
Spend a few hours looking into average salaries, job availability, and practices hiring in the area you’re looking at. While you’re at it, look to see what the hiring history is like for certain dental practices. Is there always a job open or posted? They could have a high turnover rate because of undesirable work conditions. Look at practice reviews online, such as on Yelp! or Google. Just remember to read through them with a grain of salt. Be sure to scroll through social media pages as well, to see how “in touch” hiring dentists are with their staff and community.
Step 1. Research, Research, Research
Spend a few hours looking into average salaries, job availability, and practices hiring in the area you’re looking at. While you’re at it, look to see what the hiring history is like for certain dental practices. Is there always a job open or posted? They could have a high turnover rate because of undesirable work conditions. Look at practice reviews online, such as on Yelp! or Google. Just remember to read through them with a grain of salt. Be sure to scroll through social media pages as well, to see how “in touch” hiring dentists are with their staff and community.
Step 2. Negotiate Your Pay
Knowing your worth isn’t something you have to guess about. Especially if you happen to have the statistics and numbers to show for it. Your years of experience, ability to understand certain types of operations or systems, and rapport with patients all matter. Consider jotting down stats such as past time study findings, conversion rates for care plans you’ve presented, or other daily production data to support the hourly rate you’re looking for. Depending on who you ask, most RDH positions should be able to be paid about 33% of their daily production amount. Based on where you live, this total dollar figure can vary from one area to the next.
Step 2. Negotiate Your Pay
Knowing your worth isn’t something you have to guess about. Especially if you happen to have the statistics and numbers to show for it. Your years of experience, ability to understand certain types of operations or systems, and rapport with patients all matter. Consider jotting down stats such as past time study findings, conversion rates for care plans you’ve presented, or other daily production data to support the hourly rate you’re looking for. Depending on who you ask, most RDH positions should be able to be paid about 33% of their daily production amount. Based on where you live, this total dollar figure can vary from one area to the next.
Step 3. Ask About Health Benefits
More dentists are offering health benefits to their hygienists than in years past. Consider making this part of your compensation discussion. Will the office offer health insurance for just yourself, or can you add additional family members?
While you’re at it, ask about additional benefits that might be available. Such as vacation days, paid holidays, continuing education, uniforms, or retirement options. Each of these “perks” can make even a modest pay scale more competitive than a higher salary.
Step 3. Ask About Health Benefits
More dentists are offering health benefits to their hygienists than in years past. Consider making this part of your compensation discussion. Will the office offer health insurance for just yourself, or can you add additional family members?
While you’re at it, ask about additional benefits that might be available. Such as vacation days, paid holidays, continuing education, uniforms, or retirement options. Each of these “perks” can make even a modest pay scale more competitive than a higher salary.
Step 4. Consider the Work Schedule and Environment
Do you have a general idea for what type of work schedule you’d like? With some practices shifting to expanded hours and weekends, there’s better flexibility to find competitive positions that fit your lifestyle.
Try to get a feel for the actual work environment by requesting a working interview before committing to a position. As you familiarize yourself with the typical workflow and fellow staff, you’ll be able to see what type of an atmosphere you’ll be surrounding yourself with each day.
Step 4. Consider the Work Schedule and Environment
Do you have a general idea for what type of work schedule you’d like? With some practices shifting to expanded hours and weekends, there’s better flexibility to find competitive positions that fit your lifestyle.
Try to get a feel for the actual work environment by requesting a working interview before committing to a position. As you familiarize yourself with the typical workflow and fellow staff, you’ll be able to see what type of an atmosphere you’ll be surrounding yourself with each day.
Step 5. Don’t Forget to Network
In a post-pandemic world, dental hygienists are a hot commodity. Right now, the ball is in your court and there’s no reason to settle on the first opening that comes your way. Using online resources such as social media, private forums, professional organizations, and online job postings, you can find an amazing RDH position at a practice that shares your personal vision for patient care. Often, it’s not what you know it’s who you know.
Step 5. Don’t Forget to Network
In a post-pandemic world, dental hygienists are a hot commodity. Right now, the ball is in your court and there’s no reason to settle on the first opening that comes your way. Using online resources such as social media, private forums, professional organizations, and online job postings, you can find an amazing RDH position at a practice that shares your personal vision for patient care. Often, it’s not what you know it’s who you know.
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