The secret to better teamwork between dental assistants and hygienists

In the dental office, what separates a chaotic day from a smooth one? More often than not, it’s teamwork! No matter what stage you’re at in your career, knowing how to form a good working relationship with your coworkers is a useful skill that can build better teamwork.

Dental assistants and dental hygienists work closely together throughout the day, but their roles serve different purposes.

Dental assistants have a variety of essential duties working with patients and around the office, including greeting patients, preparing exam rooms, taking x-rays, assisting during procedures, answering patient questions, and more.

Dental hygienists typically work with patients one-on-one and are responsible for preventive care, such as removing plaque, applying fluoride treatments, and screening for oral conditions.

In a busy dental practice, dental assistants and hygienists may occasionally find themselves stepping on each other’s toes when tasks or responsibilities intersect. Maintaining open communication can help prevent any confusion and improve efficiency.

“In our dental clinic, dental assistants and hygienists work closely together throughout the day to provide quality patient care,” says Jennifer, an EFDA supervisor. “We communicate regularly, help each other stay on schedule, assist with patient flow, share supplies and resources, and step in when needed to support one another. By working as a team, we help ensure our patients receive timely, efficient, and compassionate care.”

If you’re a new assistant or just want to strengthen the bond with the hygienist in your practice, try these tactics to grow your working relationship.

Communicate throughout the day

Every day in a dental office brings something new. During your morning huddle, try to connect directly with your hygienist to identify tight spots in the schedule and any potential delays. A dental practice revolves around timing, so dental assistants and hygienists often work together to keep everyone on schedule.

Tessa, a dental assistant, says, “We huddle every morning to discuss patient loads, which includes overlap. So, when one of us is free, we help each other by screening patients or breaking down and setting up a room for the next patient.”

When everyone has a firm understanding of the day’s schedule, it’s easier to coordinate available treatment rooms, communicate when patients are late or cancelled, and adjust workflows. This teamwork also creates more seamless transitions and lower wait times for patients.

If you’re new to a practice or are frequently butting heads with a hygienist, consider proposing a conversation about how you each can support each other better during the day. Often, talking these issues out can lead to more productive collaboration.

Recognize the value of each other’s roles

Both dental assistants and hygienists play vital roles within a practice and share the common goal of providing the highest quality of care to patients. Individuals in these roles should not view one as better or more important than the other, as that can lead to conflicts.

“We help each other by looking at the schedule as a whole instead of focusing on our own column,” says Chelsey, EDDA. “In the free moments, we are always helping one another flip rooms to utilize our time effectively.”

At the end of the day, dental assistants and hygienists are part of the same team and must work together to keep the practice running smoothly. When both are willing to step in and support one another, they can create a more efficient and positive work environment while ensuring patients receive the best possible care.

Be a second set of hands

Most dental professionals know what it feels like to have a million things going on at once. Sometimes, dental hygienists have to step in to help dental assistants, or vice versa, to keep things moving. This may include sterilizing equipment or stocking exam rooms so they’re ready for the next patient.

Casey, a dental assistant mentor, says, “We help each other with scheduling challenges, patient flows, radiographs, room turnover, sterilization, and patient education. Even though our roles are different, teamwork is essential to keeping the schedule running smoothly and providing a positive patient experience.”

Lending a hand in stressful situations can help make all team members feel supported, especially if someone is new or there’s a full appointment schedule.

Celebrate team wins

While dentists and dental practice owners should recognize their team’s successes, it’s equally important for teammates to celebrate each other. Whether it’s shouting out a team member for working with a tough patient in a professional manner or for earning a new certification, putting forth effort to honor your team’s wins goes a long way.