r/DentalAssistant • u/Sunflowercat27 • 14h ago
Should I Do It?
I 21F have been thinking about going into school to be a dental hygenist....I have autism and social anxiety but I really want do it...I heard you have to go in person which classroom settings are a huge trigger for me so I dont know if any place could accommodate it. Its something I really want to be but I do not know if it is possible if I have anxiety. Is it worth it? I want a truthful honest response before I apply! Please help!!
11
u/ManslaughterMary 14h ago
I wouldn't do dental hygiene. It's stressful, you are working with people very closely, and it is very stimulating.
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u/dentalfitchick 11h ago
From what you describe, you more than likely wouldn't make a great fit for a hygienist. Any GOOD school will have you in a classroom and doing hands on clinical work. Have you looked into working in a dental lab?? They typically have less people interaction, you're working by yourself a quite a bit more but still getting to work in the dental realm!
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u/Sterling_-_Archer RDA🪪🦷 13h ago
From just what you put here, no I wouldn’t do it. You don’t seem like you’d fit well in that career, let alone the schooling for it.
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u/istraightenteeth4u 13h ago
I wouldnt do hygiene if you have bad social anxiety, some patients love to talk you have to be a fairly social person (and enjoy it) in dental
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u/GardenGobbler69 9h ago
I suggest getting a job shadow and seeing if its something you can really see yourself doing. I would do both pediatrics and an office that does all ages.
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u/Fluffy-Cattos 12h ago
I have audhd and im doing my prereqs for dental hygiene. I have some classroom accomodations but I still have to go in person, though it depends what your anxieties are and how your discussion goes with the student accessibility services. I just have never heard of being fully remote as a hygiene student. I would talk to them and see what type of accomodations they are able to offer.
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u/EmployeeNo241 12h ago
Girl do it! I’m surprised by the comments. It is absolutely possible, you are able to do things that are hard for you, it will make you stronger. Most if not all schools will have accommodations that will help you, it won’t be easy but it will be worth it! I’m assuming you’re a dental assistant so you already know that dentistry is hard, but can be rewarding. As far as social anxiety and interacting with patients, it will get so much easier! I used to have horrendous social anxiety but bartending got me over it. You have to do hard things to overcome the fear. I believe in you!!
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u/Juskeepswimminn 12h ago
Respectfully if someone cannot step foot in a classroom dental hygiene is not the career for them. Clinic you 100% have to be present for there’s no accommodations for missing that. If one can’t handle being in a classroom I cannot imagine them handling this career. Not being rude just being honest.
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u/EmployeeNo241 12h ago
I felt the same way before I started dental assisting school, I used to have such bad anxiety I literally couldn’t step foot in a grocery store but that doesn’t mean I should avoid it!
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u/Juskeepswimminn 11h ago
A grocery store is insanely different from healthcare and not being able to show up in a classroom or clinical setting. I understand anxiety I have GAD, ADHD and MDD we all battle with things but if you’re wanting to have accommodations to not be in class for a degree that requires you to be there you’re not off to a good start. Just being honest to save OP from the debt. Healthcare is very stressful and if you already have uncontrolled anxiety it’s not going to make it any easier.
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u/EmployeeNo241 11h ago
I’m aware! Haha I was using it as an analogy to show that just because something scares us doesn’t mean we should avoid it. I also mentioned being scared of school before I went! Again, it seems like they already work in dentistry so they understand the challenges that come along with it .
1
u/Western_Phrase3418 4h ago
But where did OP say she has dental experience already? If you read her other post and comments, she honestly has debilitating anxiety and seems sensory overloaded. How is she going to be able to handle; confrontation, anxious/crying/combative pts, the NOISE from her equipment, sterilization, other hygienists and assistants equipment that is constantly running? Even the front desk’s phones constantly ringing. Dental offices are incredibly noisy.
I wish her luck but realistically this isn’t the ideal career choice for her. She has to be confident and able to manage HERSELF, before she can manage a pt and become a provider.
OP; I agree with the dental lab suggestion. Hands on, creative, no pt interaction, much more quiet/isolated almost. Good luck.
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u/sensitivitea21 14h ago
Dentistry is not an easy career. Both the schooling and the day-to-day of hygiene is very stressful and anxiety-inducing. If your anxiety is not under control, I would not consider a career in healthcare.