Work Essentials for Hygienists
Sharon Boyd, MA, BS, RDH
Work Essentials for Hygienists
Sharon Boyd, MA, BS, RDH
As a clinical dental hygienist, I’ve learned that you’re only as good as the equipment you work with. Dull instruments, the wrong room setup, and even incorrectly sized gloves can make work a daily uphill battle, if not impossible altogether.
Aside from the resources provided by your employer, there are other essentials that a hygienist should consider investing in. These items are resources you can take wherever you go, regardless of the practice or setting you’re working in. As such, it’s typically more appropriate to make the personal investment and keep the receipts for your tax write-off.
Here are just a few examples of personal equipment investments that can make you happier and more productive at your job.
Face Shields
Traditional protective eyewear only covers the immediate area around the eyes. But today we live in an era of managing aerosol production and splatter, which can extend far outside of what a pair of glasses will cover.
Wearing a face shield helps guard your entire face, as well as your ears and hairline, depending on the type of shield you choose.
Face Shields
Traditional protective eyewear only covers the immediate area around the eyes. But today we live in an era of managing aerosol production and splatter, which can extend far outside of what a pair of glasses will cover.
Face Shields
Traditional protective eyewear only covers the immediate area around the eyes. But today we live in an era of managing aerosol production and splatter, which can extend far outside of what a pair of glasses will cover.
Wearing a face shield helps guard your entire face, as well as your ears and hairline, depending on the type of shield you choose.
Wearing a face shield helps guard your entire face, as well as your ears and hairline, depending on the type of shield you choose.
Loupes
Dental loupes allow dentists and hygienists alike to work with enhanced magnification during their procedures. Not only do the loupes make it easier on the eyes to see areas of calculus deposits or small marks on a periodontal probe, but they also improve overall ergonomics.
Each pair of loupes is specifically prescribed to the hygienist, based on their working distance between the patient’s face and their eye level. This set distance encourages proper posture, as slumping or leaning throws off the focus in the field of view.
For hygienists who may be experiencing changes in their eyesight, the investment in loupes can help them continue practicing for several more years.
Loupes
Dental loupes allow dentists and hygienists alike to work with enhanced magnification during their procedures. Not only do the loupes make it easier on the eyes to see areas of calculus deposits or small marks on a periodontal probe, but they also improve overall ergonomics. Each pair of loupes is specifically prescribed to the hygienist, based on their working distance between the patient’s face and their eye level.
Loupes
Dental loupes allow dentists and hygienists alike to work with enhanced magnification during their procedures. Not only do the loupes make it easier on the eyes to see areas of calculus deposits or small marks on a periodontal probe, but they also improve overall ergonomics.
Each pair of loupes is specifically prescribed to the hygienist, based on their working distance between the patient’s face and their eye level. This set distance encourages proper posture, as slumping or leaning throws off the focus in the field of view.
For hygienists who may be experiencing changes in their eyesight, the investment in loupes can help them continue practicing for several more years.
This set distance encourages proper posture, as slumping or leaning throws off the focus in the field of view. For hygienists who may be experiencing changes in their eyesight, the investment in loupes can help them continue practicing for several more years.
A Headlight
The constant repetitive adjustments and shadows of an overhead operatory light seem like second nature especially if that’s all you’ve ever worked with. But many of today’s hygienists are choosing to invest in a loupe headlight which provides shadow-free illumination throughout the entire oral cavity.
Ergonomically, the use of a dental headlight reduces the strain on your body and encourages you to maintain proper head positioning.
A Headlight
The constant repetitive adjustments and shadows of an overhead operatory light seem like second nature especially if that’s all you’ve ever worked with. But many of today’s hygienists are choosing to invest in a loupe headlight which provides shadow-free illumination throughout the entire oral cavity.
A Headlight
The constant repetitive adjustments and shadows of an overhead operatory light seem like second nature especially if that’s all you’ve ever worked with. But many of today’s hygienists are choosing to invest in a loupe headlight which provides shadow-free illumination throughout the entire oral cavity.
Ergonomically, the use of a dental headlight reduces the strain on your body and encourages you to maintain proper head positioning.
Ergonomically, the use of a dental headlight reduces the strain on your body and encourages you to maintain proper head positioning.
Other Possible Investments
Although most hygienists don’t need to buy their own instruments you might find that having the ones you like will help you work more ergonomically and efficiently.
Especially if you’re a temp RDH who travels to various offices and aren’t sure what the setup will be like once you get there. You can take these basic resources with you, knowing you’ll have what you need to “just get by.”
Other Possible Investments
Although most hygienists don’t need to buy their own instruments you might find that having the ones you like will help you work more ergonomically and efficiently.
Other Possible Investments
Although most hygienists don’t need to buy their own instruments you might find that having the ones you like will help you work more ergonomically and efficiently.
Especially if you’re a temp RDH who travels to various offices and aren’t sure what the setup will be like once you get there. You can take these basic resources with you, knowing you’ll have what you need to “just get by.”
Especially if you’re a temp RDH who travels to various offices and aren’t sure what the setup will be like once you get there. You can take these basic resources with you, knowing you’ll have what you need to “just get by.”
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You won't regret it. Investing in yourself will help you extend your career as a hygienist for as long as possible. When you feel healthy and can perform at an optimal level every day of your career, the investment is a win-win.
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