Dr. Joy Void-Holmes on Turning Dental Hygiene Into a Practice Growth Engine

How Dental Hygiene Departments Can Become a Practice Growth Engine

Many dental practices look at hygiene challenges and immediately focus on the numbers. Is the schedule full? Is production high enough? Are more patients needed?

But according to Dr. Joy Void-Holmes, improving a dental hygiene department requires looking beyond the schedule. In this episode of the Dental Office Rescue Podcast, Linda Kane speaks with Dr. Joy Void-Holmes, a hygiene, profit, and practice valuation consultant with nearly 30 years of oral healthcare experience, about how practices can transform hygiene from an overlooked department into a true growth engine.

The conversation reveals that successful hygiene departments are built through strong systems, confident teams, clear communication, and a shared commitment to patient care.

Dental Hygiene Is More Than a Cleaning Appointment

One of the biggest challenges in dentistry is that hygiene is often underestimated.

Dr. Joy explains that many practices view hygiene as simply a cleaning appointment or a step between the exam and the next treatment opportunity. But hygiene is much more than that.

“Hygiene is the one seat that everybody underestimates.” — Dr. Joy Void-Holmes

As one of the largest contributors to practice production, hygiene plays an important role in both the clinical and financial health of the practice.

When practice owners recognize the value of hygiene, they can begin treating the department as a strategic part of the business rather than simply another area to manage.

Fixing Hygiene Problems Starts With Finding the Real Cause

A common mistake practice owners make is trying to solve hygiene challenges only through operational changes.

Adding more patients to the schedule or pushing for increased production may not address the actual problem.

Dr. Joy explains that hygiene departments often struggle because of human factors before operational issues appear.

These challenges may include:

• Lack of confidence
• Limited training
• Communication breakdowns
• Unclear expectations
• Team burnout

A hygienist may understand patient care but need additional support in recognizing opportunities, communicating recommendations, or adapting to the changing role of modern hygiene.

Before changing the numbers, practices need to diagnose what is really happening.

“You cannot fix hygiene production alone by just fixing operations.” — Dr. Joy Void-Holmes

Training Creates Confidence and Better Patient Care

Dr. Joy shared that many hygiene struggles are not caused by a lack of effort. Sometimes team members simply need more education and support.

The role of a hygienist continues to evolve. Modern hygiene includes more than traditional cleanings—it requires understanding prevention, patient education, communication, and comprehensive care.

Practice owners can help their teams succeed by providing opportunities for continued growth and hands-on training.

The goal is not simply increasing production. The goal is helping hygienists feel confident providing the level of care their patients need.

Strong Hygiene Departments Require Team Alignment

Another major theme from the conversation was the importance of alignment between the dentist and hygiene team.

When doctors and hygienists have different expectations for patient care, frustration can quickly develop.

Strong practices create alignment through:

• Clear standards of care
• Consistent protocols
• Regular communication
• Team calibration
• Shared goals

Dr. Joy emphasized that profitability and patient care do not have to compete.

“Clinical excellence isn’t the cost of profitability, it’s the cause of it.” — Dr. Joy Void-Holmes

When the entire team understands the standard of care and works together, the practice becomes stronger.

How This Helps Your Dental Practice

A thriving hygiene department can create benefits throughout the entire practice, including:

• Better communication between team members
• More confidence in patient conversations
• Stronger clinical consistency
• Improved patient experiences
• More sustainable practice growth

The biggest lesson from Dr. Joy is simple: before trying to fix hygiene production, first understand the reason behind the challenge.

Look at the people, the systems, and the support structure surrounding the department.

When hygiene teams are properly supported, they do not just produce more—they help the entire practice function better.

Connect & Learn More

Dental Office Rescue Podcast
Hosted by Linda Kane
Website: dentalofficerescue.com

Dr. Joy Void-Holmes

Dr. Joy Void-Holmes is a hygiene, profit, and practice valuation consultant, clinical educator, and international speaker with nearly 30 years of experience in oral healthcare. Through her brands Dr. Joy RDH and Gel Edge, she helps dental practices transform hygiene into a growth engine and practice valuation driver.

Website: drjoyrdh.com
LinkedIn: Dr. Joy Void-Holmes

Listen to the full episode of Dental Office Rescue Podcast to hear Dr. Joy’s insights on building a stronger, more effective hygiene department.