I recently got new insurance so I had to change dentists. I hadn’t really thought about it before, but the people in my dental office were like family to me. While I only saw the dentist for a few minutes during exams, the hygienist was literally in my face for 45 minutes each visit. I had become close with the office manager and my hygienist after going there every 6 months for the last 15 years. We knew about each other’s families, vacations, and pets– like the time her daughter brought home a stray dog that chewed up their furniture. It made me want to get her a good-bye present.
This led me on a search for great gift ideas for dental hygienists. If you are looking for a gift for your hygienist or just someone you know who works in the field, you will want to take a look at what I came up with. After long days with patients, these gifts will make them say Ahhh.
1. Wine Flight Tasting Set
Dental hygienist gifts
At the end of a long week of inhaling stinky breath and dealing with ornery patients, they will be happy to enjoy an evening of wine tasting in the comfort of their own home. Grab a few bottles of wine so they have a variety to try.
You can even give them an online wine experience. They can travel to distant vineyards without leaving the house.
You can give them some funny wine glasses to help them take the edge off. Pair this with some wine from the region they will travel to for their online experience, and you have a gift that will shine as much as their teeth!
2. Coffee Gift Basket
Dental hygienist gift ideas
Keep them energized for a long day on their feet with a coffee gift basket. They will feel luxurious starting their day with such an amazing selection of gourmet coffees.
You can also get a travel dental hygienist mug so they can take some coffee to work with them. Some even allow for personalization.
If they already have a mug they keep at the office, give them an electric coffee warmer so their cup stays warm in between patients.
3. Dental Candle
Thank you dental hygienist gifts
How do you say thank you to a dental hygienist? You want to show your appreciation for your hygienist taking such good care of you. Get something simple that goes a long way, like a candle.
A funny keychain is just enough to show you are thinking of them.
A tooth air freshener will make their car smell fresh and give them something pleasant to smell after inhaling bad breath all day.
4. Spa Basket
Best gifts for dental hygienists
These gifts are great for women or men who have been standing on their feet all day. With all these luxurious spa products their stress will wash away, right down the drain.
After a long day on their feet, they will enjoy relaxing in front of the TV at night while soaking their feet in a massaging foot spa.
For cracked, chapped hands that are stuck in gloves for hours on end, give them a hand lotion gift set to alleviate their dry, burning hands.
5. Classy Dental Bracelet
Dental hygienist gifts for the Christmas stocking
Jewelry is the perfect size for a Christmas stocking. If you are looking for a personalized dental hygienist gift, some of these can have a name or initial added.
Small teeth earrings won’t get in the way when working on patients, but will still look elegant. Hanging earrings are a fun way to show off her love for her job in her off hours.
Everyone needs socks, right? Tuck some funny socks into their stocking to give them a laugh, even on their worst day.
Badge reels crack and fall apart after a while. Slip a dental themed badge reel into their Christmas stocking this year.
You might want to take a look at gifts for other jobs too!
6. Dental Symbol Whiskey Decanter
Hygienist gifts for him
This manly gift is sure to cheer him up. Some even allow for personalization. Then add in teeth shaped ice cube molds for those who like their drinks on the rocks.
For times he has to dress up, give a toothy tie, along with a tie clip. You can also add some cufflinks that look like teeth or dental tools.
7. Dental Humor Phone Case
Cool gift ideas for dental hygienists
If you know what model phone they have, surprise them with a perky dental phone case.
If you aren’t sure which phone they own, you will still make them smile with a tooth popsocket. Some of these have quirky sayings.
Or recycle their old watch with a whimsical new strap. Try one of these unique dental themed watch bands. Just make sure you get one that is compatible with their device.
8. Tooth Planter
Funny gifts for dental hygienists
These make cute gifts whether they are gardeners or not. Plant some succulents. Then it won’t matter if they are not plant whisperers.
Syringe Pens will keep them laughing when using them at home or at work.
They can ease patient anxiety by passing on some humor from a dental joke book.
9. Dental Themed AirPods Case
Fitness gifts for dental hygienists
Hygienists spend a lot of their day on their feet, bending over patients.They need to be in good shape to prevent back and neck strain. Sometimes it is hard to get motivated to work out after a long day. Give them a spunky airpod case to motivate them with their favorite tunes.
A fitness tracker will help keep track of their steps, monitor their heart rate, and let them know how many calories they are burning.
No matter what type of fitness they participate in, they will get sweaty if they are doing it right. Give them a cooling towel to prevent them from getting overheated.
10. Juicer
Healthy food gifts for hygienists
Hygienists spend all day looking into people’s mouths, smelling bad breath, poking around decaying teeth. If that doesn’t inspire someone to eat healthy, I don’t know what will. A juicer will give them the opportunity to create healthy drinks in minutes. What a great way to start the day!
Everyone needs to refuel at some point in their work day. Don’t let them crash from eating sugary snacks. Give them a healthy fruit basket instead, preferably fresh. Dried fruit actually contains a lot of sugar and calories.
If they prefer something salty, or you want the snacks to last a while, you can get them a healthy snacks gift box.
11. Toothbrush Wall Sanitizer
Gifts for a hygienist’s home
Most toothbrush holders are a petri dish for bacteria. However, a toothbrush sanitizer will disinfect the family toothbrushes while storing them. And it won’t even take up counter space. There are travel sanitizers too. These are great for bringing a toothbrush to work so they can keep up their dental hygiene after lunch.
If they are a bit eccentric, give them a dental themed shower curtain. An invigorating shower in the AM will help motivate them to go to work.
For their dressing table, give them a tooth shaped mirror for that last minute appearance check before heading out the door.
12. Tooth Lunch Bag
Useful dental hygienist gifts
Help them save money by packing their lunch. These insulated lunch bags will keep food cold even if they don’t have a refrigerator at work. They can eat healthy by bringing food from home, while being trendy at the same time.
You can also give them a hygienist themed makeup bag. This doesn’t have to be just for makeup. They can use it to pack their travel toothbrush in its sanitizing case, along with some toothpaste, so they can brush after eating.
Dental hair scrunchies will help keep their hair out of the way when cleaning a patient’s teeth.
13. Inspiration
Dental hygienist graduation gifts
They graduated. Now it’s time to find a job. This can be discouraging. Give them gifts of inspiration such as letters to their future self or a random act of kindness kit.
If they already have a job lined up, they will appreciate some trendy eye protection. After all, who wants saliva or bits of tooth polish flying in their eyes while cleaning patients’ teeth? Gross!
Or give them a tooth stress ball to keep at their station. They can give it to anxious patients to squeeze while getting their teeth cleaned.
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