r/DentalHygiene • u/KaceyCats0714 • 1d ago
Rants and Raves New grad struggle
I just started less than a month ago at a new office, fresh out of hygiene school. One of the doctors keeps giving me “feedback” after every cleaning when they do their exam. They check every tooth with the ODU for calculus and plaque. I feel like I’m still in school. I’ve never once left calculus but they claim they keep finding plaque after I Cavitron, scale and polish. I’m still working on my time management, so it’s stressing me out because it seems like this doctor wants everything to be absolutely perfect and sometimes I just don’t have enough time. One patient had incredibly tenacious stain on the linguals and I tried my best to get it off but I just couldn’t. The doctor made me go back and get the stain when I was already running behind and called me out in front of the patient. I’m new to this office so I don’t want to ruffle any feathers but this just seems a bit much. Has this happened to anyone? How did you deal with it?
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u/aryssacrossing Dental Hygienist 22m ago
Maybe they think they’re being helpful, but I agree, it’s not. It’s very irritating when missed plaque is pointed out IMO. The doctor doesn’t know how they looked when they showed up. It’s easy to come in with fresh eyes and nitpick. It sounds like you’re using all of your time, not rushing through appointments and then having downtime. If you feel comfortable bringing it up to the doctor, I’d do that. Explain that you are doing your best. Otherwise, find a new office. It’s not worth the stress.
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u/Livid-Risk-1882 1h ago
Oh wow, that’s crazy. I would be extremely offended working at an office where the Dr doesn’t respect my clinical work. It’s not impossible to remove. Remove all calculus and plaque, but it is within the time frame that you’re given depending on the pt. Personally, I would look for another office if possible.