How to grow in dentistry without burning out

Kicking off the new year with clarity, intention, and inspiration, we're spotlighting Bethany Montoya, a practicing dental hygienist, educator, and editorial director of DentistryIQ’s Clinical Insights. Bethany brings years of experience across clinical care, content creation, and advocacy—and a refreshing take on how to grow professionally without burning out.

quip: A new year often brings pressure to change everything at once. From your experience, what is a better way for dental professionals to approach goal setting so it feels motivating instead of overwhelming?

Bethany: Patients often feel intimidated when they are given multiple new home care recommendations at once. While dental professionals may have their patients’ best interests at heart, this well-intentioned approach frequently leads to little or no behavior change because patients feel overwhelmed.

In my experience, limiting oral hygiene recommendations to just two at a time is far more effective. Two goals feel attainable and realistic, increasing the likelihood of follow-through. As patients demonstrate progress at subsequent preventive visits, I gradually introduce one or two additional recommendations.

I also emphasize the idea of progress over perfection. We are all human, and life happens—but when new behaviors are implemented at least 80% of the time, meaningful and lasting clinical improvements are likely to follow.

quip: You work across clinical care, social media, research, and dental media. When you look back on your own career, what is one habit or mindset that made the biggest difference in your long term growth?

Bethany: The single most impactful habit in my career has been staying curious while remaining adaptable. Early on, I learned that clinical skill alone isn’t enough to sustain long-term growth in dentistry. The profession is constantly evolving—through research, technology, policy, and public perception—and I made a conscious decision to stay engaged across those spaces rather than silo myself in one role.

That mindset led me to say “yes” to opportunities that felt unfamiliar at first: Contributing to dental media, translating research into clinical relevance, and using social media as an educational tool rather than just a marketing platform. Each experience strengthened the others. Curiosity kept me learning, and adaptability allowed me to grow as the profession changed. Over time, that combination created a career that feels both resilient and purpose-driven.

quip: Many hygienists and students start the year feeling burnt out or unsure of their next step. What advice would you give someone who wants to start fresh without leaving the profession entirely?

Bethany: Burnout doesn’t always mean you need to leave dentistry—it often means something in your current role needs to change. My advice is to start by getting very honest about what is draining you versus what still feels meaningful. Is it the pace? The lack of autonomy? Physical strain? Or feeling unheard? Clarity creates options.

A “fresh start” can be much smaller than people realize. It might look like setting firmer boundaries, changing practice environments, reducing clinical days, or exploring adjacent roles like education, advocacy, research, writing, or content creation while staying rooted in patient care. The profession needs experienced hygienists in many capacities, not just at the chair.

Most importantly, permit yourself to evolve. Wanting something different doesn’t mean you’ve failed or outgrown the profession. It means you’re listening to yourself. Sustainable careers are built by adjusting, not abandoning, the work we once loved.

 

quip: You often emphasize being intentional with where we spend our energy. How do you personally decide which opportunities, projects, or goals are worth saying yes to in a new season?

Bethany: Being intentional with my energy starts with recognizing that not every good opportunity is the right opportunity for this season. I’ve learned to pause before saying yes and ask myself a few key questions: Does this align with my long-term values and goals? Will it meaningfully contribute to the work or impact I want to have? And just as importantly, do I realistically have the capacity to do it well without compromising my well-being?

I also pay close attention to whether an opportunity feels energizing or depleting. Growth can be uncomfortable, but it shouldn’t come at the cost of constant exhaustion. If a project allows me to use my strengths, supports my boundaries, and serves a purpose beyond my own advancement, it’s usually worth pursuing.

 

quip: Education in dentistry is constant and sometimes exhausting. How can providers set learning goals that actually improve confidence and patient care instead of adding more stress?

Bethany: Continuing education should support confidence and patient care, not feel like another unchecked box. One way providers can reduce stress is by setting learning goals that are specific, intentional, and immediately applicable. Instead of trying to keep up with everything, choose one or two areas where increased knowledge would directly improve daily clinical decision-making or patient communication.

I also encourage providers to shift from passive learning to purposeful learning. Ask: How will this change what I do on Monday? If a course, article, or lecture doesn’t offer clear clinical relevance, it may not be the right investment for this season.

Finally, slow down. Mastery builds confidence, and mastery requires repetition… not constant novelty. When learning is focused and aligned with real-world practice, it becomes empowering rather than exhausting.

 

quip: If a dental professional committed to just one small change this year that could improve both their work life and personal well being, what would you encourage them to focus on first?

Bethany: I would encourage them to start with boundaries—specifically, learning to protect their time and energy without guilt. That might mean building realistic schedules, taking full lunch breaks, limiting how much emotional labor they carry home, or saying no to expectations that aren’t aligned with patient care or personal well-being.

Boundaries aren’t about doing less; they’re about doing what matters more intentionally. When dental professionals create even one boundary that honors their physical and mental health, they often see improvements in focus, job satisfaction, and the quality of care they provide. Small changes, consistently practiced, can have a profound ripple effect both inside and outside the operatory.

quip: You have seen quip evolve over the years. How do you feel about the direction the brand is taking with newer innovations, and is there a product that stands out to you?

Bethany: I’ve watched the quip brand evolve with real interest. In the early years, quip focused on making oral care simple, design-forward, and more habit-forming, with electric brushes, refillable floss, toothpaste, and subscription support that help people keep up with basics. 

More recently, quip has expanded that mission toward performance and personalization, introducing next-generation products like the Ultra Smart Sonic toothbrush with customizable intensities, app tracking, a 30-day battery life, and a brush head system designed to reduce waste while improving plaque removal and whitening performance. That evolution suggests the brand is thinking beyond novelty and toward products that genuinely support better daily oral hygiene routines. I love that!

📣 About Bethany Montoya, MBA, BAS, RDH

Bethany Montoya is a practicing dental hygienist, educator, industry key opinion leader, and editorial director of DentistryIQ’s Clinical Insights newsletter. She specializes in the intersection of clinical practice, modern prevention, and professional growth. Through her writing, she aims to educate, inspire, and spark meaningful dialogue in the dental community.