I have worked as a male dental assistant for 10 years. I often wonder how I managed to last this long. I like performing the duties of a DA, and I don't mind the long hours and physical demands of the job, but it has taken an emotional toll on me because of the dentist. Dentists are very difficult to work with.

I’m a new dental assistant and my office does pediatrics/ortho/cosmetic you name it lol. Its so busy we stay open 6 days a week. Every month there’s a least 80 new patients. I’m starting to hate it cause of the hours as well but it’s till I get into my hygiene program. I just need my feet wet in the field first.

I’m trying to go back into dental assisting myself. As someone with ADHD, they really um… don’t like me. I tend to forget things (nothing crazy, but tiny mistakes that pile up). Your channel gives me comfort - I’m glad you are so honest about dental assisting. I think we all need a screaming session, LOL

i've left and came back to dental assisting about three times now lol. My first job as a dental assistant was actually for an endodontist! haha but yeah I've been in your shoes. I moved on to work for a dental anesthesiologist - that was a lot of fun and great $$ but I thought i could do more so I went for oral surgery. I loved it but the doctor I worked for was such an awful person.. the whole office was toxic really, I swore to myself i'd never go back to dentistry. Any way now I'm working for a fortune 500 company as an executive assistant for VPs of a huge hospital corporation. M-F, great benefits, and a healthy work environment, there's options out there girl. Don't sweat it too much, the most important thing I've learned over the years is that it doesn't really matter what you do but what that job allows you to do... so if this job is providing you with 3 days off and the funds to enjoy that time off-- try to change your perspective that or maybe try making your way up to the front office . Best of Luck !

I completely understand what you are going through I recently had to quit my job at a dental office where I worked for them for five months I didn't like the manager the assistant there were always having a bad day I just had to leave I recently found myself a better job near my home I have only been there for two days,hang in there girl.

everyone in the dental field can relate to this... I was also an dental assistant in surgery. It was good, I really enjoy it. Today I am doing the bachelor in dental hygiene and working in a surgery/endodontic practice. You need to take a little vacation, a time off. The dental field is amazing. But sometimes we need rest. In my opinion, you do not really want to quit. You seem to be overwhelmed by pressure and influence. You started good with this pro and cons list. Just pray about it girl, I will too. Greetings from Germany.

I’m a CNA and I thought about enrolling into the dental Assistant program this fall 2k22 just for a change and it’s seems like the burnout is real throughout healthcare in general no matter what you do especially since covid hit its makes me wonder if I even want to be in the medical field at all anymore 😕

I've worked general and the things I love would be getting to know my patients, helping them with their fears and anxiety, having my hands on things to do. Things I don't care for would just be one certain coworker who criticizes everything I do! The occasional drama and the times when I get overbooked for my solo assisting days. I've had those days where I had to really think why I do it and why I stay. I've almost quit a few times, bit, still going and more in love with it. I hope you figure it out!! Lots of blessings!!!

Hey girl, I can definitely relate.. I’m currently at a general/ surgery/ cosmetic office the doctor I work for does implants about 5k a tooth and for the amount of money she makes I definitely think we could be getting paid more for the work we do. I think a set schedule and vacation time are the only pros in my opinion. I’ve only been an assistant for 1 yr and idk how long I’ll stay in the field.

Not everything in life is sunshine, rainbows and butterflies and I praise and thank you for being so real and honest about what you’re going through. This video didn’t deter me from wanting to become a DA, but it opened my eyes to the realness and stressful aspects that come with this job. It’s sometimes good to know about the struggles up front, so that we’re not completely blindsided later. Praying that God gives you strength to move forward and that he takes away some of the stressors that you are enduring at this time. Take care💕✨

Just left my last job of 3 years to be a receptionist at a plastic surgeons office. I was an EDDA for over 10 yrs and the burnout is REAL!

I work for an endodontist 5 days a week. My doc is really nice but unfortunately the receptionist is evil and has run off all the assistants

I’ve been a dental assistant for 3 years since I was 18 and I recently resigned from my DA career. I worked in two practices both for a year and a half. The first one I quit cause the boss was so toxic and abusive and literally all the other girls would tell me that it’s normal and that I’d get used to it... like no. I’m outta here. The second job I just resigned from a week ago was because I was only casual and the job security was crap and I was also having problems with one of the other DAs and she was pretty much giving me a hard time for the last few months and the dentist who I work with is having a baby so even if I stayed I wouldn’t be working with the dentist I like. I still love dental assisting but I have so many other interests I’d like to explore so now I’m choosing to pursue another area in health I really like, if you like dental assisting maybe look at other jobs like this like a pharmacy assistant or a pathology nurse. If you don’t like your hours or you don’t find enjoyment in your work it’s not worth it especially cause we are so young we can find jobs a lot easier. People change careers so often in this day and age. It’s not uncommon to want to change even after 2-4 years of being in the same job. I’d say stay in the job for now so you have an income but don’t be afraid to have a look to see what else you might be interested in. Don’t be afraid to try something new 😊

I finished the DA program in 2019. I started working in oral surgery and ended up hating it!!! After 3 months I went back to school to hopefully be a hygienist but the school near me shutdown so now I'm in limbo. I don't want to go back as an assistant. It's really tough!!! Everyone thinks it's so easy! But it's not! Now I'm worried that I lost my training and won't know what to do if I go back. I have to take the RDA exam if I do decide to go back. Any prayers on this would be nice!

Somehow as an assistant our team has been slammed. now that we stagger to eliminate patients gathered up front none of us work together. our office feels like a tooth factory lately. We never have fun together anymore, no happy hours, no parties. One full time assistant quit who was overwhelmed. Now i am the ONLY full time assistant and the other assistant is part time working 7AM-5PM Mon-WED they are double booked...it's cray! My schedule isn't double booked because luckily the Doc I assist says she doesn't care about double booking she can only be in one place at one time (MAKES SENSE TO ME) Buuuut its still hard to manage all the things we do. It's more than chairside, all the notes, cleaning, set-ups, and sterilzation Plus ordering, inventory and so much more...I had to tell her and the other doctor enough is enough. You are cut out for this, it's just doctors don't know how to be business owners they know how to take care of teeth. WE have to step up and say hey this is nuts I (WE) all deserve better what can we do? because ultimately they don't want you to quit so just ask for what you want! I hate working more than 8hrs a day!

I'm going to start my dental career in 4 months & within those 4 months I want to learn more dental terminology in spanish & just get better at speaking in spanish I know it will open doors for more opportunities & $$. Would you PLSSS make a video on the basic spanish terminology that you find yourself using day to day !! Keep having faith, God bless ❤*hugs*

Thinking about getting my dental assistant certification this has me rethinking too what are we gonna do 😭

Dental assistant is too much tbh been doing it for 2 months and I learn that everything falls back on the dental assistant and no matter what it’s always the assistance and never the doctor. I don’t know if it’s the office but not good some days aree good not always. I work general but they do everything !

I feel you girly, congrats to your new home. Stay strong at work, I know easier said than done

Girl I relate SO much. my work schedule is mon-845-7 Tuesday 845-7 wed-845-6 Thursday 7:45-4 Friday 745-1 every other Saturday 745-1 I've been burnt out but not that I don't love my job, just need rest. I watched your video about the pros of dental assistanting and that's when I applied to the first position i saw and got hired. thank you Melanie :) praying for you girl 🌷🌞♥️

Girl I'm still externing and I've already given up lol! This profession isn't for me. I just need to complete the program to get my associates degree and transfer lol!

Loving all your videos! Sending you positive vibes and prayers, I always feel when we’re all in that struggling position, something good is about to happen or change for us 💗

Girl I got you I’m a Endo assistant to and is so hard working on it . I work 6 day of the week and the same I go in early and I don't have a departure time. I also don't have vacation days sooo I’m so done 😞🥺🤷‍♀️ and the worst of all i run the office with another colleague and there is always a problem and we are 6 assistant for 2 Doc. For them that’s not enough.

Good luck 💚 happiness and peace is all that matters and I hope you find them soon 💜

Don’t give up. Praying for you love 🙏

It’s ok girl, you’ve got this! I really feel for you, I’ve been in your place as an RDA and as a person with bad job experiences. You’ll be in my prayers! Praying God shows you where he’s called you to be and that you find joy in this next chapter of life 🥰🙏🏽 Also is it just me or is every RDA put through tons of crap 🤦‍♀️

Thank u for being honest. I too have had some experience training & working as a Dental Assistant & I can relate with what u have to say. I'm praying for u & also for myself as I had to leave bcoz of very little or no hours due to covid & I have a child to provide for.

Amazing to hear you talk about praying for guidance, good for you. I'm a new DA and it sounds like overall it's a good fit for u. What did u decide?

ive been studying dental assisting for half a year now here in Australia, graduating on July this year. I’m always struggling to find a good clinic to work at because last year i was working in this clinic. The therapist and I didn’t get along really well just because she didnt want me to do chair side assisting. She basically wants me to lie to my lecturer that she is working with me chair side when it fact she doesnt want to. I informed my lecturer. then when i turned up on my third day there, she was like “what did you tell your lecturer?” and asking me a lot of stuff while looking at me with her head held up high, big eyes and loud voice 😪 ever since then I got traumatised to try go to another clinic once again. never in my life have i ever felt humiliated by someone. I had to walk out because even if i explain myself she wouldn’t take it in and talk in a nice way. It’s now one of the biggest reasons why I keep having second thoughts whether i should continue this course or no 😢 the people in clinics are really making it hard for me to learn.

I only use this job to invest in crypto so I never have to work again. My end goal is to never work for a company ever again. I will use any company to get there. These companies aren't entitled to our time or body, but they act like it.

bad memory gang

You just need to find an office that fits your needs I've been an EFDA for 11 years there's pros and cons, but find a place where you like the people and like their system of how the office runs. Not every office does same day procederes theres many options out there dont get discouraged because of having multiple jobs you just haven't found the right fit

Hey Mel!.. I’m in the same boat as you. I’m also a endo assistant and have been for 6 months, before that I had been to so many dental offices and all were awful (I have been a dental assistant for less than a year) until I found my current office. I currently live in Florida and we have so many emergencies all that time and I honestly feel our office is so busy because every one from NY and these other states who are on lock down from COVID are moving here and also your state.. anyway I hope all works out for you and whatever decision you make. I feel like I’m loosing the juice for being a assistant and I’m actually looking into maybe going back to school to become a esthetician.

You're just being real and that's true! I can feel you. 😢

Hey! Whats the update on your dental assistant career?

i’m sorry you’re feeling like this i’ll pray for you, hopefully you can find another job that makes you happy bc that’s all that matters.

I feel like they shouldn’t of changed your hours like that because what if some people have kids or other situations going on where they couldn’t work those hours would they still be required to stay late?

Im so sorry your job is stressing you :( and I have been that same way for years, finding something I don't like about every job. Once I got on medication (antidepressants) it got much easier to accept all days and not let small things upset me. I am a lash artist and I loveeee what I do. I think you would love it too you have a good personality for it. Maybe try it out! You seem like a creative person and it helps me get my creativity in my job. You can also go independent and have your own clientele which would be best for me (and likely you) because I wont have ANYONE cramping my style lol.... no authority, no other peoples bad days effecting mine, etc. Just you making women beautiful and getting paid good money. Maybe think about it. It's never too late to try something new.

When you applied at new offices did you include jobs where you worked that weren’t clinics such as working at retail or did you only include dental assistant experiences??

I honestly hated my 1st DA job when I got done with my school. Now I like it and I feel more comfortable. I hope you find a better environment soon! I work in general dentistry and we usually refer out for RCT. I applaud you for working in endo. I've asssited with 2 RCTs and it was hard.b

You ever thought about working at a dental lab? You can do a lot of memory games on your phone to sharpen your memory and eat a lot of blueberries. Im sorry you're feeling down but look at as a season you'll get through it God got you!🙏🏾

New subscriber, love from Jamaica

My memory is literally so bad. Omg 😭😭I have brain farts all day long

Hey girl, how you doing now? Did you leave it or did you stay? Hope you’re doing okay now! 💕

You look so stressed girly. It seems like you enjoy your career, maybe just not those particular offices you've been at. I hope you reach a solution and can do what you love. Take care of yourself friend.

Leave!! I’m 100% you can find a better place that will offer you way more $$ & will not overwork you . I’ve been in the same position & I found an amazing clinic

Have u thought of working at a different office that will give you better hours? Every office is different, and you may just need to switch a different office that won’t make you stay late all the time. Endo offices have to accommodate a lot of emergencies, as well as oral surgery, and some general practice offices. Maybe look into ortho or perio

Hey girl,I wanted to know if you think dental assistant school was hard for you? I'm currently taking pre reqs in a fast paced program to become an LVN but i genuinely feel like its too much for me although im doing okay with my grades i don't think i can do it long term. I have been thinking of becoming a DA instead but i wanted to know your insight on it since you went through the schooling. Like did you have to stay up late at night studying so much every night for DA school? Was it mentally draining? Do you think its worth it? Im was literally overthinking and had 3 mental breakdowns 😭 Also i know god will help you push through girl you got this especially if you feel comfortable and like your co workers ❤ stay strong💪

I’m a sterilization Dental Assistant, love my job so far lol

Did you have to have additional schooling to work as an endo assistant?

I been a dental assistant for a long time and I hate it every day I go in every dental 🦷 office is toxic

Hi! Can anyone help me study for the RHS exam. My state is Maryland

I'm from india, how can I get this job I'm not having certificate , but I'm experienced

If is 12 hours paid is good but they dnt

What’s stopping you from doing hygiene ?

Welll become a certified nurse assistant have 30 patients and clean shit … and turn 200 pounds patients ..

I would definitely let the doctor know how you feel if you decide to leave and maybe they may end up accommodating for you 🖤

Maybe you can go back to a general office ?

ENDO???? girl thats so boring!!! try ortho!!!

It’s weird that you seem that you have something to say but then you skip it and then talk about something else