Confessions of a Dental Hygienist (We’ve All Been There)

Let’s be honest… dental hygiene is equal parts science, skill, and surviving chaos with a smile. Behind the masks, sterilization protocols, and perfect probing depths, hygienists have stories. And while every day in the op is different, some things are just universally relatable.

If you’re an RDH, chances are you’ve experienced a few (or all) of these moments. Consider this your official permission to laugh, cringe, and say “yep, same.”

1. That one patient who always forgets to floss… and acts shocked by their own bleeding gums.

We know you didn’t start flossing yesterday just because your appointment is today. But hey, we’ll still gently remind you (for the tenth time) that yes, it does make a difference.

2. Dropping your instrument mid-procedure like it’s hot.

There’s nothing like the slow-motion horror of watching a scaler hit the floor. And the quiet panic of realizing you already used your backup.

3. Getting ghosted after a confirmed appointment.

You cleared your schedule, prepped the room, confirmed the day before… and they just didn’t show. It’s fine. Totally fine. (It’s not fine.)

4. The patient who casually drops “I hate the dentist” right after you introduce yourself.

Hi, nice to meet you too! Can’t wait to spend the next 60 minutes together.

5. Having your lunch break scheduled… and then watching it disappear.

In theory, you get a break. In reality, an emergency patient showed up, your morning ran long, and now you’re chewing a protein bar with your PPE still on.

6. The internal monologue when a patient says, “I didn’t think this would take so long.”

Well, Sharon, neither did I… but your last cleaning was during the last Olympics.

7. When your patient asks how your weekend was… mid-scale.

You: Trying to be polite with a scaler in your hand and a mouth wide open in front of you
Also you: “Mmm, ‘twas good!”

8. Hearing “Do I really need X-rays today?” for the 400th time.

Trust us, we’d rather not take them if we didn’t have to. But those tiny images tell us a lot, and early detection is kind of a big deal.

9. The impossible task of fitting all your instruments back in the cassette neatly.

It fit perfectly before sterilization. Now it’s like a game of Tetris you just can’t win.

10. That little spark of joy when your favourite scaler comes back from sharpening or re-tipping.

It’s the small things that get us through the week. A perfectly sharpened edge? That’s RDH bliss.

You’re Not Alone

The truth is, the world of dental hygiene is filled with quirky moments, small victories, and a whole lot of resilience. Whether you’re in your first year or your fifteenth, some experiences are just part of the job.

At Progressive Edge, we get it, because we live it too. That’s why we’re here to support you with precision-sharp instruments, re-tipping services that extend your scaler’s life, and a whole lot of respect for what you do every day.

Need a fresh edge to match your sharp skills?

Check out our sharpening services, re-tipping options, and best-in-class hygiene instruments.
Learn more about what we offer → https://progressiveedge.ca/services/