Ep 95: Why the Hygiene Department Is NOT a Loss Leader (Production, Systems & Growth Explained)

Is the hygiene department really a loss leader… or have we just been looking at it all wrong?

In this episode, I sit down with Shannon Richkowski, RDH, founder of Hygiene Mastery and managing partner of Fortune Management. Shannon is a nationally recognized speaker, consultant, and leader in dental practice growth, known for helping practices transform their hygiene departments into powerful drivers of both patient health and profitability.

We break down the misconceptions surrounding hygiene, the systems that are holding practices back, and what it actually takes to build a thriving, high-performing hygiene department in today’s dental landscape.

If you’ve ever felt like hygiene is undervalued—or you know your department could be doing more—this episode will challenge your thinking in the best way.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Why hygiene is not a loss leader—and where that belief comes from
• What a truly successful hygiene department looks like
• The concept of “service mix” and why prophies alone won’t cut it
• How hygiene drives restorative production (and why that matters)
• The importance of co-discovery between dentist and hygienist
• The biggest mistakes practices and hygienists are making
• Key production metrics and what hygienists should be producing
• The truth behind the “3x salary” rule
• Assisted hygiene—what works and what doesn’t
• Should dental assistants be doing hygiene procedures?
• The future of hygiene and solving the staffing shortage

If you found this episode helpful, share it with a colleague and help move our profession forward.

Topics Discussed: dental hygiene production, hygiene department profitability, assisted hygiene, dental practice growth, hygiene systems dentistry

To watch on YouTube, click here

About Shannon

Connect with Shannon:

https://www.instagram.com/hygienemastery/   

https://www.hygienemastery.com/index.cfm?Page=Bootcamp-Series  (Hygiene Mastery CE courses)

Hygiene Department Analysis

https://www.hygienemastery.com/index.cfm?Page=Hands-On-Laser-Certification  (Virtual Laser Certification Courses) 

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed by guests on this podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of Polished Posture. The information shared in this podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for any health concerns or before making significant lifestyle changes.  

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