Collaboration Over Competition

Starting an independent dental hygiene practice is one of the most exciting and rewarding journeys you can take. It's also one of the loneliest.

When you're a solo practitioner, you're the receptionist, marketer, scheduler, clinician, bookkeeper, problem solver, and business owner, all before lunch! There are days when you'll celebrate a big win, and days when you'll wish there was someone who simply understood what you're going through.

That's where community changes everything.

The Myth of Competition

One of the biggest misconceptions in independent practice is that every other independent dental hygienist is your competition. They're not. In fact, they're often your greatest source of support. There are far more patients who need access to preventive oral healthcare than any one of us could ever serve. Every time another independent practice succeeds, awareness of our profession grows. Patients learn they have options. Physicians, nurses, care facilities, and community organizations become more familiar with what independent dental hygienists can offer. When one practice opens a door, it often creates opportunities for many others. That is the attitude of abundance. Instead of asking, "What if someone takes my patients?" we begin asking, "How can we help more people receive the care they deserve?"

That shift changes everything.

None of Us Knows Everything

Independent practice comes with a steep learning curve. One day you're trying to choose  practice management software. The next you're wondering how to bill a unique situation, market your services, navigate infection prevention requirements, negotiate a contract, or purchase equipment. Wouldn't it be wonderful to have someone you could text or call and ask, "Have you dealt with this before?" A strong professional network becomes your collective experience. Someone has likely already solved the problem you're facing. And someday, you'll be the person helping someone else.

Mentorship Isn't Just for New Graduates

Many people think mentorship is something you seek only when you're new to the profession. The truth is, every stage of independent practice benefits from mentorship. New independents need guidance on getting started. Growing practices need advice on hiring, expanding services, and improving systems. Experienced practitioners often benefit from fresh ideas, new technologies, and different perspectives from colleagues entering the profession. Mentorship doesn't have to be formal. Sometimes it's a coffee meeting. Sometimes it's a quick phone call. Sometimes it's encouragement from someone who simply says, "You've got this. I remember feeling exactly the same way."

Those conversations can make all the difference.

Business Is Better Together

One of the unexpected joys of networking is discovering that your colleagues genuinely want you to succeed. Independent dental hygienists often share:

Resources and templates

Equipment recommendations

Clinical pearls

Business lessons learned the hard way

Marketing ideas

Referral opportunities

Words of encouragement during difficult seasons

Collaborative Initiatives

That's not weakness. That's community. And community makes all of us stronger.

You're Never Really Alone

Being a solopreneur doesn't have to mean being isolated. Celebrate your wins with people who understand how hard you've worked. Ask questions without fear of judgment. Share your experiences so someone else can learn from them. Lean on others when business feels overwhelming. Offer your knowledge when someone else needs encouragement.

Those relationships become one of the most valuable investments you'll ever make.

Together, We Move the Profession Forward

Independent dental hygiene is still growing. Every successful practice helps demonstrate the incredible value dental hygienists bring to communities. When we choose collaboration over competition, generosity over scarcity, and mentorship over isolation, we don't just strengthen our own businesses, we strengthen the profession itself.

So…

Introduce yourself at conferences.

Join online communities.

Attend networking events.

Reach out to someone whose practice you admire.

And if another independent dental hygienist asks for advice, consider saying yes. Because the profession grows stronger every time one of us reaches back to help another move forward. After all, there is more than enough opportunity to go around.

Let's build it together.

Of course, not everyone will share this mindset, and that's okay. There may be times when you reach out to another independent dental hygienist and your call isn't returned, your email goes unanswered, or your offer to connect isn't reciprocated. Don't let that discourage you. Continue seeking out people who believe in collaboration over competition and who genuinely want to see others succeed. Those are the relationships that will encourage you, challenge you, and remind you that there is room for all of us to grow.

 Sometimes, finding your success simply means finding your people.

Join us for a free private reception at the Own It! event in Sept in Vancouver!