Course Description:

This one-hour professional development session aims to equip dental professionals with the necessary skills and knowledge to effectively ask for a raise and elevate their professional value. Asking for a raise can be a challenging and delicate conversation, but with the right strategies and preparation, it can lead to increased compensation and recognition for your expertise. In this session, we will discuss the importance of advocating for fair compensation and understanding your professional worth. We will explore proven techniques for initiating salary discussions, presenting your achievements, and justifying a raise. Additionally, we will address common challenges and objections that may arise during the negotiation process and provide practical tips to overcome them. By the end of this session, dental hygienists will feel empowered to confidently navigate salary negotiations and advance their careers by securing the compensation they deserve.

Learning Objectives:

After completing this course, participants will be able to:

1. Understand the importance of advocating for fair compensation and recognizing your professional worth as a dental team member

2. Learn effective strategies and techniques for initiating conversations about salary negotiations and asking for a raise.

3. Gain confidence in presenting your accomplishments, skills, and value to justify a salary increase.

4. Explore methods to navigate potential challenges and objections during salary discussions.

5. Leave with practical tips and resources to successfully negotiate a raise and advance your dental hygiene career.

Speaker Bio:

Elizabeth Cruz, RDH, brings over 17 years of clinical experience and a powerful dual perspective as a practicing hygienist and the founder of Shine Dental Recruitment & Consulting. Through her work in recruiting and consulting, she has helped dental professionals understand their true market value, navigate career growth, and confidently advocate for themselves in the workplace.

Elizabeth works closely with both dental teams and employers across the Coastal Bend, giving her real-time insight into compensation trends, hiring expectations, and what truly drives value in today’s dental market.

Known for her honest, relatable, and no-fluff approach, Elizabeth is passionate about helping dental professionals build confidence and master the skills needed to ask for and earn the compensation they deserve.

Outside of dentistry, she enjoys traveling, good tequila, and spending quality time with her family.