Understanding Compensation Models in Dental Hygiene
Compare hourly, daily, and production-based compensation models to evaluate offers and protect your income.
The Common Models
Hygiene compensation typically follows one of several models: hourly, daily guarantee, production-based, or a hybrid. Each carries different risks and incentives, and understanding them is essential to evaluating any offer.
Evaluating Each Model
- Hourly: predictable, but may not reward higher production.
- Daily guarantee: stable income with potential production bonus.
- Production-based: higher upside, but income varies with schedule and fees.
- Hybrid: a base with production bonus balances stability and reward.
Questions to Ask
Clarify how production is calculated, whether broken appointments are compensated, and what the average hygienist actually earns under the model. A model that looks strong on paper can underperform in practice.
Practical Takeaway
Compare the full risk and reward of each model, clarify exactly how production is calculated and how broken appointments are handled, and weigh stability against upside.
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