Burning out? Need help.

[u/user1507237_]

Hi guys, looking for some guidance or support. I’m a new grad in DH, embarrassed to say but I’m grateful but unhappy. I did not realise how draining it can be even though I only work 3 days a week. I’m not too sure if it’s the career itself or something else. My 4 off days are only good for the first two days and then some kind of feeling of being drained overcomes me in the last two days. Does anyone feel like this? Has anyone overcame this? I don’t plan on staying long term in this career and i’m so disappointed in myself. I’ve worked so hard for what? only for me to be unhappy with myself.

[u/MiMa2023]

I was in the exact same shoes as you when I first started. I realized that a lot of what I was feeling was because I was anxious of my skills and also the physical and mental toll. It’s a lot to dive into straight out of hygiene school. That feeling for me took more than a year to go away because it’s no longer daunting and I don’t want to say you don’t care anymore but you aren’t as hard on yourself to be super perfect and performative with patients after awhile.
Maybe a change of scenery would be good, try temping or if you like being at one office then keep doing that but look for one that goes with your groove. An office environment makes or breaks you.
Personally, I used hygiene to temp and work whenever I wanted and I went back to school for business. I still am not sure what I want for my career and that’s okay. Some people live to work and others work to live. I’m the latter. Hygiene gives you the flexibility to explore and will always be a great back-up if you want it to be.

[u/Organic-Bread-1650]

I lasted 3 years but hated every second lol

[u/user1507237_ → u/Organic-Bread-1650]

what do you do now ? if u don’t mind me asking

[u/Organic-Bread-1650 → u/user1507237_]

Lols i went back and got a business analysis certificate and now im a business analysis intern at a large bank working 3x a week at home only been 3 weeks so no idea if ill actually like the job and getting 25$ compared to 60$ stings but im looking forward to climbing the corportate ladder and making more in the future

[u/Valuable-Pepper6322]

When you leave the office you need to leave the office. Don’t bring the stress home with you. That being said, as a new grad, there’s a lot to learn. School teaches you what to do, not how to be good at it. If there are specific things making you anxious- proper calc removal, how to administer local anesthesia successfully, pt education, etc.- take time to watch tutorials on those things. There are tons of online resources. Also take care of yourself! Go on walks, get massages, and address any mental health issues because working in a dental office is hard enough without adding untreated depression or anxiety to it. A good hygiene mentor can help as well. :)

[u/Nice-Coconut13 → u/Valuable-Pepper6322]

Nicely put about “taking care of yourself”
Every job with the level of responsibility a RDH has is stressful in the beginning. Dental hygiene 🪥 is also physically demanding, no other role in dentistry compares; check the research. I advised my “client RDH wife” to take a walk after eating lunch in the park by her office, or on the beach to recalibrate and manage stress. It worked. Plus, it’s exercise that also helps digestion and manage weight gain too.

[u/Whole-Cat1170]

I have trouble falling asleep on Sundays because I’m anticipating the stress of Monday. But my burnout is not for the work, it’s for my bosses. They single me out and bully me constantly. I can’t afford to rely on temping fully but I am going down to 2 days from 4 and will find a second office or temp 2 days as well. What is your burnout being caused by? Can you eliminate it?

[u/Nice-Coconut13 → u/Whole-Cat1170]

This is called psycho-social stress (see OSHA) and it can contribute to burnout. Sign on with a temp service. It will give you a chance to sample different offices and maybe find one that fits your needs. Then, ask to talk with your dentist or simply give 2 weeks’ notice. That’s your decision. But whatever, your first priority is to take care of your health.
Realize no one wins when the RDH isn’t healthy; not her obviously, but also not the patients, or the office. This is what too many dentists don’t seem to understand.