The Hygiene Hiring Crisis

Most hiring conversations in dentistry start with the wrong question.

"Do people even want to work anymore?"

But today's workforce trends tell a different story.

Employees are evaluating workplaces just as much as employers are evaluating them—and many candidates are prioritizing flexibility, leadership, clarity, and culture over compensation alone.

In this episode of Dental Drill Bits, Dana and Sandy unpack one of the biggest frustrations in dentistry right now: hiring hygienists in a changing workforce landscape.

Together, they break down how practices can stop hiring emotionally, start interviewing strategically, and create environments where the right people actually want to stay.

You'll also hear:

✔️ Why "needing a job" is not a predictor of long-term success ✔️ The biggest mistake doctors make during hygiene interviews ✔️ How to ask behavioral-based interview questions that reveal the truth ✔️ Why candidates are evaluating your practice during the interview process ✔️ The role leadership and structure play in retention ✔️ How unclear expectations contribute to disengagement and burnout ✔️ Why alignment—not desperation—is the key to better hiring ✔️ One immediate change you can make in your next interview

Key Takeaway

Hiring isn't about finding someone who needs a job.

It's about finding someone who aligns with the environment, expectations, and leadership within your practic