ADHA : What are they doing (?) to help the R.D.H. employment situation?

Has anyone contacted the ADHA, or any other organization(s) regarding the R.D.H.'s present employment situation and the number of new programs which are bringing MANY new R.D.H.'s into the field? If anyone has contacts, which may help the current job/# of R.D.H.'s please post. Thank you for "positive and insightful info" that can help us all.

I emailed them last summer a comment about the number of graduates compared to the number of available positions and asked what they are doing to help our profession so current hygienist's stay employed and I never got any response. I didn't pursue it. I wonder if we can do some sort of online petition of concern with statistics on whose working and how much ie part-time? I don't know how to go about it.

I'll sign it!!!

We all need to question our associations who are allowing for schools to be set up and accreditited.... Questioning the number of schools, and number of graduates, the actual teaching credentials of the profs of these 19 month schhols and lastly, WHO IS BEHIND THE increase in these private schools....who owns them....and is there a conflict of interest involved in this....

30 year vet in Edmonton, Alberta said: We all need to question our associations who are allowing for schools to be set up and accreditited.... Questioning the number of schools, and number of graduates, the actual teaching credentials of the profs of these 19 month schhols and lastly, WHO IS BEHIND THE increase in these private schools....who owns them....and is there a conflict of interest involved in this....

I have heard that the Dentists are behing the increase in programs mainly due to how hard "it use to be to find an R.D.H. for P.T., etc...". ARE THERE ANY R.D.H.'S OUT THERE WITH A LEGAL KNOWLEDGE OR BACKGROUND TO HELP US TO MAINTAIN A FAIR, NOT OVERCROWDED FIELD WHICH IS GROWING ON A DAILY BASIS??? We need someone...with legalese....please respond with any info you may possess and or contacts. Thank you to the above R.D.H.'s who have responded thus far...

30 year vet in Edmonton, Alberta said: We all need to question our associations who are allowing for schools to be set up and accreditited.... Questioning the number of schools, and number of graduates, the actual teaching credentials of the profs of these 19 month schhols and lastly, WHO IS BEHIND THE increase in these private schools....who owns them....and is there a conflict of interest involved in this....

Your comments make me think you'd be the one to chair this project! We need to get together, those of us who want to make a difference, and DO IT! The only people who make a difference are the ones crazy enough to think they can. How can we go about getting information on this from the schools? They are getting paid so it won't be easy.

I don't think the answer is closing down hyg class sizes. I graduated with like 40 girls in a small area. I think the answer is ADHA getting us a union like the nurses. We have no job security. You don't hear of rns losing their jobs like we do. They will strike and get supported. And how can you look into a young person's eyes and tell them they'll never be a hyg. That's what happen to some of my Canadian classmates and that's why they came to the states. I'm willing to get on board with any committee.

I agree. A good friend of mine is an RN and she cannot believe the # of jobs I have gone through or the way we are expected to practice. We definitely need help.

What I can't get over is since I moved to VA I never heard of not getting paid for holidays. America as a whole shuts down for Xmas. We need more benefits but alot of hyg are comfortable they way they are treated. If we went on a national strike that would help. Like around tax time. Some of us would have extra money then. Its a new ins year for pts and some use their taxes for treatment. DDS will freak out. It will be great!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Here is another thing we can do. We should post our pay. Like on AmyRDH. I have been interviewing lately all over Northern Va and Richmond. Some offices have been trying to pay me $33 an hr. and pts are every 30min without an asst. This is low for Richmond when homes in the suburbs are above $200,000. The pay should at least be $38. Homes in No Va are above $400,000. There are some offices that only want to pay you $40. The lowest should be $45 and more expensive areas should be $48-$50. DC should be atleast $50. I see why the hyg in Ca make alot. Their housing is very expensive. In Va you also pay property tax on your vehicle. The cost of living should pay a role in our pay. We should be able to afford homes in our areas. Not saying we should all have $500,000 homes and should be paid based on that. But our pay should be fair. If we post our pay then new hyg won't accept less and they can get paid fairly for their work.

hyg sucks in Richmond, Virginia said: What I can't get over is since I moved to VA I never heard of not getting paid for holidays. America as a whole shuts down for Xmas. We need more benefits but alot of hyg are comfortable they way they are treated. If we went on a national strike that would help. Like around tax time. Some of us would have extra money then. Its a new ins year for pts and some use their taxes for treatment. DDS will freak out. It will be great!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Excellent idea but I can't see some of the meely-mouthed a#$ kissers I know not showing up to work. They buy into the God complex many dds have and will agree with you right up to the point of action and then play stupid. I'm with you though!

Suzanne in Terre Haute, Indiana said: Excellent idea but I can't see some of the meely-mouthed a#$ kissers I know not showing up to work. They buy into the God complex many dds have and will agree with you right up to the point of action and then play stupid. I'm with you though!

Another comment, I worked in an office for 7 years and every Thursday was a guaranteed day. I eventually got the pt base up to 4 days a week and every Thanksgiving (Thursday) I would ask to be paid for the holiday and I never got it. Some dds are never going to respect the production we do or the # of patients we see or how much we care for the patients. This is another reason we need some place to go with these issues. I have even gotten it in writing that I would get holidays, vacation, sick days and didn't get any of it. When I went to a lawyer she told me that contract and a quarter wouldn't even buy me a cup of coffee!

You are so right. I tempted at this office and the DDS took his people in his office and cussed them out and threw books at them. His front desk went through it for 10yrs. Could not be me. When I went through my ordeals I didn't stay long and sometimes walked out the door at the time it happened. If ADHA steps in I know more hyg will listen and there are DDS who would back up some of their hygs.

I know if dds knew we had someone who would listen to us they might behave like we have to. At my last position, I had a pro football player in my chair and dr made a sexual comment about me to him. I didn't have to say a word, the guy told dr he didn't play that, his mama would slap him if he ever disrespected a woman in such a way and I rec'd flowers later that day from the guy with a card telling me he was sorry it had happened and that he thought I was a great professional. Only then did the dr apologize. He had thought it was funny up to that point. I had been scheduled off for surgery a few weeks later and dr replaced me. I got calls from all 3 staff that he was bragging I couldn't sue because it would cost me at least $50k to bring suit against him. We need to have a place to go with these types of things because he was right and I didn't have that much money.

Suzanne you got proof. Some lawyers wait till you get paid to get their cut. I know someone that had the same thing happen to them. But in VA it's a Commonwealth and they don't back the employee. In Upstate NY they don't play that. NY will sue in a minute. I know DDS in NY that were sued because the pts didn't want to pay attention to the DDS. The DDS were right in these cases. Always call legal aid 1st and see if you have a case. The office that I was sexually harassed has a big influence on DDS offices here and I have been given a bad rep. You can't sue cus Va sucks. I have witnesses and everything, Even a tempt agency told me somethings. This woulddn't happened in NY. ADHA should allow us a union so we can get legal help. I can't wait till I close the chapter of my life called Dental Hygienist.

I know you have had your fill and I completely understand. I have been blackballed as well for standing up for myself. We definitely do need representation and I'm on board for anything we can do to help. I have a position underway with the army but if it falls through for any reason I'm going to school for something else. Private practice is out of the question for me. It's too "private". Too much happens behind closed doors. It's a miracle I haven't been in some horrible legal mess because of the unscrouplous dds I have worked for. If pt's only knew!
I noticed you have interviewed for 30 min prophies w/o an asst. That's all I've ever had. One prophy mill after another. If I got 40 min it was an accident. The last place I mentioned earlier gave me 20 min (after anes) for 2 quads of stm and pockets were 6-7mm throughout. I have lots more bad exp than good also.

That's crazy. They think we are machines. People wonder why we retire early. I had worked with DDS that want me to change my notes. This DDS never showed for 8am pts and left without doing exams. One pt told me I haven't seen the DDS in 3yrs. Alot of this happens here. I also worked for a DDS that was so cheap he did't have a bio red bag for blood. We were forced to place it in a community dumpster. Illlllllll!!! Or how about the DDS I worked for that had me doing nitrous without my nitrous license and at the time the hyg wasn't licensed to do it. I was new to Va and the DDS got upset when I bought him a copy of Va laws and refused to do it. But I'm the bad one because I followed the rules. I worked on a mobile dental unit and the DDS smacked a child. I told the person in charge and reported it. That DDS is still working. I thought laws were there for a reason. In my 10yrs I worked for 2 good DDS. I moved away from one and went from Pt to Ft. That Pt was way better than the Ft cus of the DDS. I been through hell with the rest.

Hell is an understandment! You have endured more than I have for sure. I had a dds, the same one I mentioned above, and he tried to force me to hold a nitrous mask over a cerebral palsy child so I could brush his front teeth. I refused and he screamed at me for 10 min how I had cost him $45! I don't have nitrous either. When I got my license we were not allowed. You and I can relate. That smacking the child is outrageous!! You have seen it all.

So ladies....Does anyone have any Agency or person that we can contact as to doing a Union? We need a Legal person.... ? Any further contacts recently with ADHA? What did they say and who did you speak with if you did make contact???
I notice that someone on another Blog thinks that little "t" is positive and seems to think that those of us with experience (more than 2 yrs.) don't know what the real field of R.D.H. is like at this point in time=many in field+new grad's=less opportunities for practicing R.D.H.'s=let those who want to pursue our field the right to do so (blindly and without listening to those who KNOW what's happening to our profession).......

I am gonna start by filing complaints against these bad DDS. Maybe that's a start. We are smart enough to look into the laws of each state. You would need to know all the laws of each state. We can start are own union. I think if band together we can do it. Even those with good jobs. If you get fired we'll find a way to sue. That's what unions do it protects the employee.

One thing that bothers me the most in Richmond is that pedo offices only hire DAs. Only DDS offices that are chains have hyg. Some of these kids need scaling and don't get. I have cleaned up alot of their messes. Even the pts moms' get confused cus the DA can't do certain things. It's a mess and they should atleast have 1 hyg in the practice. I think this is a serious problem here. Some of these offices have the DA doing the scaling.

Here is something to ponder. I saw an ad for DA online. It asked for resume and a pic. I'm not shocked at all. And there's nothing wrong with the Dental field. Yeah right!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

hyg sucks in Richmond, Virginia said: Here is something to ponder. I saw an ad for DA online. It asked for resume and a pic. I'm not shocked at all. And there's nothing wrong with the Dental field. Yeah right!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

HS, The AD was probably,NOT REAL, just like a certain... speaking on this site. I think there are a lot of non-"R.D.H.'s" putting in their two cents of issues.

Has anybody received an answer from ADHA yet? If anybody has info on :"What the ADHA does for hygienists.....???", please note your findings on this Blog....I don't see much happening/involvement by the association on our behalf....?

exp in Massachusetts said: Has anybody received an answer from ADHA yet? If anybody has info on :"What the ADHA does for hygienists.....???", please note your findings on this Blog....I don't see much happening/involvement by the association on our behalf....?

No, they have not responded by email, phone, or to my written letter. Nothing. I wondered if it's because I don't pay their dues?

Suzanne in Terre Haute, Indiana said: No, they have not responded by email, phone, or to my written letter. Nothing. I wondered if it's because I don't pay their dues?

Probably (they probably checked to see if we were mem's). I sent another e-mail too, too bad they don't respond to us. Unfortunately, their are still those wanting to pursue this field and they're in for a bit of competition and an awakening....ADHA, have you checked out this Blog? Please respond and offer help then maybe there will be more mem's.....

You are right! People won't join if they see we've been hygienists for several years and can't get any responses. Why would we want to pay their dues when we can't find jobs? I just talked last night to a friend (hygienist) who moved to TN because she had been out of work in IL for almost a year. She is working for the army for less than half what she made before. I know many think we are depressing and negative, but some of us have been hurting for awhile.

Suzanne in Terre Haute, Indiana said: You are right! People won't join if they see we've been hygienists for several years and can't get any responses. Why would we want to pay their dues when we can't find jobs? I just talked last night to a friend (hygienist) who moved to TN because she had been out of work in IL for almost a year. She is working for the army for less than half what she made before. I know many think we are depressing and negative, but some of us have been hurting for awhile.

Hi Suzanne, Check out my discussion about "our present employment situation...". Someone, yes, that person answered...and was polite .....

I have heard from the ADHA, BUT....BUT....It sounds like their hands are tied?????...right...The ADA... is where I guess we need to find solutions...BUT...BUT... we know that they are for the Dentists...not the R.D.H.'s? Any ideas from R.D.H.'s as to where to go from here AND GET ....RESULTS!!!???

I saw let's not support any groups that don't support us!!!!!!!!!!!!

Suzanne in Terre Haute, Indiana said: Someone tried to send an email to me today but it got spammed. It was something about Obama's healthcare overhall and dental hygienists needed to speak up. Does anyone out there know what's happening?

Hey Suzanne! I'd like to know what the Obama h.c. plan will be doing to help us....do you have any info. or webpg. we can check out in the meantime? I just hate how our profession is placed in with the medical field as a "....Growing field through 2016...." Read the U.S. news to see what some R.D.H.'s have said to the BLS about ours ....growing...NOT...

No, I don't have the info. Part of the email was missing. It said Bill # ? was trying to be passed and hygienists needed a call to action because it was eliminating dental hygiene students and hygienists from the reform bill. There was so much missing though I couldn't make it out. There was a partial list of people for each state to contact and said it was urgent to contact your state branch of the ADHA. I have been on Google for hours and I can't find it.

I just saw on another post "to be the best" It's Bill HR 3200. I'm trying to see what it's about and get it on here.

Section 2215 is it. I read it but don't understand how it affects us. It's about grants and training as far as I can tell. Anyone else?

exp in Massachusetts said: Has anyone contacted the ADHA, or any other organization(s) regarding the R.D.H.'s present employment situation and the number of new programs which are bringing MANY new R.D.H.'s into the field? If anyone has contacts, which may help the current job/# of R.D.H.'s please post. Thank you for "positive and insightful info" that can help us all.

Before a new hygiene program is approved by the Commission on Dental Accreditation, a "needs assessment" has to be done. The school sends out letters to all the dentists in the area to determine the needs for another program. Basically, what often happens, is that the dentists report that a new program is needed to produce new hygienists so that they can flood the market in the area, reducing salaries of hygienists.

It's working! Salaries have been drastically reduced, at least the interviews I've gone to.

Suzanne in Terre Haute, Indiana said: I know you have had your fill and I completely understand. I have been blackballed as well for standing up for myself. We definitely do need representation and I'm on board for anything we can do to help. I have a position underway with the army but if it falls through for any reason I'm going to school for something else. Private practice is out of the question for me. It's too "private". Too much happens behind closed doors. It's a miracle I haven't been in some horrible legal mess because of the unscrouplous dds I have worked for. If pt's only knew!
I noticed you have interviewed for 30 min prophies w/o an asst. That's all I've ever had. One prophy mill after another. If I got 40 min it was an accident. The last place I mentioned earlier gave me 20 min (after anes) for 2 quads of stm and pockets were 6-7mm throughout. I have lots more bad exp than good also.

such an unbalance in our profession...I keep thinking of steve jobs and his think different approach..if we can pop up schools whats the critereia to form another type of ADHA. It seems like they are losing their respect with the DH sector faster than they know.

kitteagirl in North Central, Wisconsin said: Before a new hygiene program is approved by the Commission on Dental Accreditation, a "needs assessment" has to be done. The school sends out letters to all the dentists in the area to determine the needs for another program. Basically, what often happens, is that the dentists report that a new program is needed to produce new hygienists so that they can flood the market in the area, reducing salaries of hygienists.

they should ask the hygienist this question aswell...we are in the trenches aswell..

That's it. I'm not going to renew my membership.

exp in Massachusetts said: Has anyone contacted the ADHA, or any other organization(s) regarding the R.D.H.'s present employment situation and the number of new programs which are bringing MANY new R.D.H.'s into the field? If anyone has contacts, which may help the current job/# of R.D.H.'s please post. Thank you for "positive and insightful info" that can help us all.

YES I contacted ADHA once about the lack of jobs and for help finding a hygiene job. They can't help you. They are not doing anything to help hygienists find work. Don't bother renewing your membership until you find enough work and can afford to renew it.