Fixing the Dental Hygiene Backlog: Staffing, Scheduling & Systems That Work
Smarter dental hygiene systems start here.
If your hygiene department is booked out months in advance—or struggling with burnout and turnover—you’re not alone. In this episode of the Dental Office Rescue podcast, host Linda Kane sits down with Rachel Wall, RDH and founder of Inspired Hygiene, to unpack what’s really going on behind the hygiene backlog. Together, they explore practical ways to improve hygiene systems, support your team, and strengthen your standard of care.
Whether you’re a dentist, office manager, or hygienist, you’ll walk away with insights you can implement immediately to improve patient care and team alignment—without overloading your staff or lowering your standards.
How to Reset Your Hygiene Department for Growth
- Why hygiene backlogs are more than just a scheduling issue
- What hygienists actually need to feel empowered and engaged
- The link between delayed care, missed diagnoses, and liability
- How to get buy-in on new systems like Perio Protect
- Why a clear standard of care can transform your culture
“We’ve been trying to survive. Now it’s time to refocus on care.” — Rachel Wall, RDH
Addressing the True Impact of a Hygiene Backlog
Rachel and Linda dig into what many practices are feeling but struggling to fix:
- Three to six month hygiene waitlists
- Hesitation to diagnose perio due to lack of chair time
- Turnover in key hygiene roles
- Confusion around new tools, protocols, or expectations
Rachel calls it what it is: a public health concern. When patients can't access care, they miss early intervention opportunities—and hygienists feel stuck between doing their best and falling behind. This episode gives you clarity on how to address the backlog without lowering your standards.
“Many practices are trying to treat perio in a prophy—and it’s burning hygienists out.”
The Power of a Written Standard of Care in Dental Hygiene
One of the most practical and impactful takeaways from this conversation is the importance of having a written hygiene standard of care. Rachel breaks down how this one tool can:
- Create consistency across providers
- Support better documentation and diagnosis
- Reduce patient confusion and improve case acceptance
- Take pressure off the doctor
- Align hygiene with the practice’s clinical mission
She even shares a free Standard of Care Worksheet, available through the free resource guide on Inspired Hygiene's website.
"It’s not about doing more. It’s about doing what’s right—together."
How This Impacts Your Practice (and Profitability)
This episode isn’t just theory—it’s about fixing real problems that:
- Slow down your schedule
- Drain your team’s energy
- Lead to missed care opportunities
- Reduce profitability across the board
With the right systems and support, your hygiene department can become a key driver of patient trust, clinical excellence, and revenue growth.
"A profitable hygiene department starts with clarity and alignment."
Want Help Improving Your Systems and Team Performance?
If your front office is overwhelmed or your systems feel patchy, you don’t need more software—you need clarity. Linda Kane helps dentists take back control with training, billing clean-up, and operational strategy.
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