Cultivating Leadership Within Your Dental Hygiene Team

Strong leadership has never been more important to the success of a dental practice. This includes leadership within the dental hygiene department.  In today’s fast-paced, ever-evolving dental practices having key team members who can support effective, efficient workflows and foster positive team dynamics is essential. Dental hygienists are uniquely positioned to lead by example, influence patient care, and contribute to the overall success of the dental practice.

When leadership is missing within the dental hygiene team or across the practice it creates disconnects, and leads to a lack of shared purpose around patient care. This breakdown affects team culture, patient experience, and ultimately the success of the entire practice. That’s why identifying and addressing leadership gaps must be a top priority for every dental practice committed to long-term success.

It’s important to recognize that effective leadership doesn’t happen overnight. Nor is it the responsibility of a single individual such as the dentist, or practice manager. Leadership exists at many levels within the practice, and often comes from those with a natural ability to listen, connect, and support those around them. It’s about creating an environment where every team member feels heard, valued, and empowered to contribute, regardless of their role.

For example, a dental hygienist demonstrating leadership at the practice might be the person who steps up to welcome a new hygienist, shares tips for completing efficient clinical notes, or helps build confidence in using new technology.  This individual may not hold an official leadership title but shows leadership through consistent actions, by offering support, encouraging collaboration, and helping team members navigate challenges in a positive, proactive way. Leadership like this directly strengthens the practice, improved patient care, and creates a more positive and supportive work environment. Recognizing this plays a vital role in keeping individuals motivated and thriving as natural leaders.

Dental practices shine when key team members, such as a dental hygienist bring not only exceptional clinical skill, but also the desire to learn from experiences, both the highs and the challenges and help position the team for success. In my experience, true leadership is rooted in connection, being able to foster trust, encouraging collaboration, offering support where it’s needed most, and providing the flexibility for people to work in ways that bring out their best.

This philosophy aligns with my personal mission: to inspire and empower dental hygienists to reconnect with their passion by recognizing the essential role they play in patient care and the success of the dental practice. Leadership plays a pivotal role in making that possible. When team members make meaningful connections and create supportive, flexible environments, it creates a greater sense of purpose and pride within the practice. This is when great teams elevate to the next level and continue to elevate in a variety of ways.

Leadership helps others reach their full potential — but it’s the influence that sparks a ripple effect across the entire team. As John Maxwell wisely said, ‘Leadership is influence — nothing more, nothing less.’ By recognizing and nurturing the influence that exists within the team, dental practices can cultivate strong, connected, and supportive environments where everyone thrives, and patient care reaches new heights.

Leadership lives in every corner of a thriving dental practice — if we choose to look for it. Is there a colleague or team member at your practice inspiring, uplifting, and supporting those around them? Have you paused to acknowledge it? When recognition becomes imbedded in what we do, every team member feels valued, seen, and empowered to lead in their own way. And that’s how we cultivate leadership within. Are you ready to spark that shift?