🥵 Overcoming hygienist burnout

Author

Dental Dispatch
15 Sep

In this edition:

  • 🥵 Overcoming hygienist burnout

  • 🐑 New clinics for rural areas

  • ❗️ Average dental school debt drops

  • And more!

Overcoming hygienist burnout

Dental hygienists may be able to practice certain strategies to minimize burnout.

Work-related stress — exacerbated since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic — may contribute to burnout in hygienists, according to a report from Dentistry IQ. Burnout can lead to poor overall well-being in the hygienist profession.

However, data analytics may help hygienists better understand their impact and increase their job satisfaction. Data can also help improve patient care, team collaboration and profitability.

Hygienists were also advised to focus on their own needs, including their emotional, physical, occupational, intellectual, financial, social and environmental well-being, in order to more effectively help their patients and colleagues.

Changing up a stagnant routine could also help hygienists renew their passion for the dental profession.

New clinic for rural regions

The University of Alabama at Birmingham announced that the institution will develop a dental clinic in Decatur, Alabama at the Decatur Morgan Hospital’s Parkway Campus.

The university plans to begin recruiting, educating and training dentists to expand access to dental care and improve oral health among patients residing in rural communities in north Alabama — where there may be a shortage of dental health providers, according to a report from News 19.

Data from the ADA has indicated that Alabama may be among the states with the lowest access to dental care, with a majority of its counties experiencing shortcomings in dental care.

The clinic — expected to open in 2026 — will offer preventive care, basic periodontal therapy, restorative treatments, and emergency dental care for root canals, extractions and chipped or broken teeth.

“I’m confident this clinic will play a crucial role in delivering essential dental care to residents of Decatur and the surrounding region,” concluded Nicolaas Geurs, D.D.S., dean of the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Dentistry.

CT dentist pleads guilty to anti-kickback law violation

A Connecticut dentist recently waived her right to be indicted and pleaded guilty to conspiracy to violate the federal anti-kickback statute.

Lakshmi Bethi, DMD, admitted to conspiring with multiple individuals who agreed to recruit Medicaid beneficiaries for dental appointments with Dr. Bethi, which she then billed to the Connecticut Medicaid program. Dr. Bethi agreed to pay the recruiters kickbacks in exchange for the appointments. Part of those kickbacks were then passed onto patients for attending the appointments, according to a Sept. 5 news release from the Justice Department. 

Oral Surgery Partners announce new CEO

Oral Surgery Partners (“OSP”), an established oral surgery management group, is pleased to announce the appointment of Sohail Malad as its new Chief Executive Officer, effective August 12th. Sohail Malad, a seasoned healthcare executive with a proven track record of leadership and innovation, will succeed John Cline, who served as CEO for the past three years and will continue to remain involved in an advisory capacity. Under John’s tenure, OSP experienced significant growth, establishing itself as a trusted name in the oral surgery field, and his continued involvement will ensure a smooth and effective leadership transition.

Average dental school debt drops

The average amount of dental school debt has declined each year since 2021, dropping to $305,306 in 2023.

The Education Data Initiative provides information on dental school costs and debt in the U.S.