MEDIUMClinicalTier 2
Where we practice challenges who we are: Rethinking culture, ethics, and patient care in dental hygiene
SourceRDH MagazineTier 2Clinical & Visual
By Shayna Sykes, MEd, RDH,Kevin Ohashi Lopez, MHA, BSDH, RDH
Originally at rdhmag.com
Summary & scoring by The Bell Brief (Dr. Jennifer Bell) using the Drill-Down Protocol (Drill-Down Score) — not the original publisher.
Why it matters for dental
Dental hygienists facing moral distress from production-driven policies may experience burnout and reduced professional autonomy, which can affect workforce retention and patient care delivery.
Key points
- Repeated exposure to moral distress is linked to physical and psychological effects such as insomnia, excessive fatigue, depression, and helplessness.
- Approximately 70% of dental hygienists who reported thinking about leaving the profession within the next five years had significantly higher burnout.
- Environments prioritizing efficiency and production may limit time for preventive education, behavioral counseling, and comprehensive communication with patients.
- New graduates entering the workforce often recognize a disconnect between current research taught in education and accepted clinical protocols.
Who should care
AssociateStaff
Read the original on RDH Magazine
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