Dental hygiene can be a very lonely profession. So many hygienists are isolated from their peers. I think this is one of the big negatives, but we have to be mature enough to counteract the isolation. Isolation can be a rapid path to burn out. It makes a lot of sense to take a course, join an e-mail group like yours, or participate in a hygiene association activity.
Dental hygiene is a great profession and a lot of hard work.
We deserve to be respected and well paid, but we have to have respect for ourselves first before any one else will. I would love to see dental hygiene evolve like nursing has. I used to think that independent practice was the answer. As I have gotten older, I now recognize that we do not have the knowledge and educational preparation of a dentist, but I do know that we are experts in our own profession. Let s work to upgrade dental hygiene and eliminate the glass ceiling .