Comments on my job as a dental assistant

[TheNobleTooth]

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Hey guys,

I want to comment on my job being a "floater" dental assistant.

I started working for a private dental practice four weeks ago. The practice has four dentists, three dental hygienists, three receptionists/secretary, and eight dental assistants - three of the eight being part-time dental assistants which includes me.

I'm an odd-ball in the group as I''m the only male dental assistant at the dental practice.

I work part-time because I'm a part-time student taking Cell/Molec Biology along with the lab component and have a lot of assignments, projects, lab reports, and exams to study for. I also do research at a local university and participate in club activities at school.

Anyhow, things were great at the dental practice until last week. One of the dental assistant is such a cocky b_tch.

Basically my job - 90% of the time - is to scrub the dental instruments, place them in the ultrasonic machine, take them out, rinse them, dry them, package them and place them in the Chemiclave to sterilize them. No problem. I also have to do "janitorial" work, as at the end of the day, I have to mop the floor (oh Lord, I sure as heck now know how janitors feel! ) and empty the trash cans.

Anyhow, that cocky b_tch whines to me to get back to work today as I was in the snack room talking to one of the four dentists about my dental school interview yesterday. I guess to her, she thought I was slacking off while I was suppose to be in the back area scrubbing the dental instruments.

But think about this guys. I have to stand on my two feet for five hours, and that really makes me tired. The other dental assistants, on the other hand, get to sit right next to the dentist, and assist them by handing them the instruments, etc.

So I usually walk away from the back area, and into the snack room/kitchen to sit down, and drink water when there aren't any instruments to "Scrub" so to speak. Sometimes on Saturdays, I watch NCAA football games on the TV set in the snack room because that's what I have been doing on Saturdays since I first started college. I love my Cal Golden Bear football team!

Anyhow, that cocky dental assistant with another dental hygienist were talking crap behind my back today at work because they think I am slacking off. She also had the cajones to raise her voice "hey xxxx, get back to work and clean the instruments!" aloud while I was eating my own snack in the snack room, so that the receptionists in the front could hear that I was not working. a-hole.

Should I talk to the dentist I'm friends with? After all, he's the one who recommended I work for his practice after I have observed him work on his patients for the last seven months. I never thought I would encounter this kind of work place 'harrassment.'

What do you guys think?

 

[in her drawer]

Don't let it get under your skin. Just ignore her, and be the bigger person.

 

[Yellow Snow]

My gut reaction would be to not speak with the dentist. He needs to have a good relationship with the staff and he can't spend any clout he has saved up on making you feel more comfortable. You are gonna have to find some way to work it out between yourselves. It usually helps to become good friends with other staff, puts a little influence on your side of the table. If worse comes to worse just repeat to yourself that you're going to be a dentist and never hire someone like her.

 

[RoxyG1624]

I would confront the two of them. Ask them why they insist on "yelling" at you about your job. Tackfully, remind them that they are not you boss and truly have no place to tell you what to do. Normally if someone is confronted about their behavor, they quickly realize how rediculous they were acting and stop. Also, were I work I recieve similar "harassment" if you want to call it that. People do these things because they are jealous of you. They know that you are buddies with one of the dentist and probably know where you are headed to, d-school. I usually confront them about what they have said, or try to do it tackfully.

For example, were I work we have weekly meetings. Well, one of the new employees was B_tching about why she had to call employees about such in such when she thought I should be calling them. So what did I do. I brought it up in the meeting to reiterate why SHE was calling them and not me 🙂 Usually after of couple of times of putting them back in their place, they will stop.

Hope this helps.

 

[Chrono1984]

While I don't agree with the behavior, I do believe you need to develop a thicker skin. Here is the advice my dentist gave me. Be prepared to deal with rude, arrogant people for a long time. In dental school, you are essentially a peon that has to take orders. If you choose to do a GPR or specialize, it starts all over with the senior residents pushing you around.

You need to let this kind of crap roll off your shoulder. It is like a rite of passage or hazing ritual. Yea that doesn't make it right, but I would imagine that these rude women are a relatively insignificant problem in the grand scheme of things.

And if all else fails, when you get your degree, come back to the office and deliver them a fruitcake.

Cheers

 

[wigglytooth]

Personally talk to the person bringing you down, maybe with one of the head dentists as a mediator. Actually definately with one as a mediator, so that they can get an idea of what is going on in their office and so that the biatch (and yourself) will keep composed during the confrontation. If you go to your friend first, then what you may want to get across may be watered down and the other assistants/staff members can't call out anyone for playing favorites. You're a staff member and you're entitled to have mutual respect from the whole team... don't just let this go and "suck it up"

 

[54807]

There are 2 options in my mind:

1) Remember you are there temporarily and everyone else is there for many years. So don't make their life aweful...you'll be in dental school in no time forgetting about their crap.

2) Explain to everyone there that you are there to learn...not just to have a job. So when you get your stuff done in the lab you want to be able to talk to the docs or come observe or study for your test that day. You're in a different time period of your life than them.

Step back and see if something YOU are doing is pissing them off for good reason. You never know, something small that you consistantly do might get them going and picking on your "slacking off" might be their way out.

 

[scrlet52]

Grow a pair and just laugh whatever they say off.

 

[cdmOMR]

Well one of two things are happening. One, you are actually slacking off and shes gotten this fed up thats she has resorted to yelling. Or two shes just an out of line biatch like you said. I'd say something to the dentist before it gets any worse. If he sees you are actually doing what you are supposed to be doing than he will say something to her (granted he's in his right mind). Also if they dont start letting you assist more in the coming weeks I would bring that up as well. Thats the part of the job that you really get the most experience.

 

[FtrDDSFranny]

kill her with kindness my friend.

besides, one day she'll be the one workin for YOU.

 

[TheNobleTooth]

Hey guys, thanks for all the great comments.

I did talk this issue over with my parents and one of the dentists today.

The dentist told me things like some of you guys here said. He said that I'm headed for dental school, and will not have to "scrub dental instruments" for the rest of my life. As oppose to that biatch who has to do that since she can't get into a nursing program. Then as for that dental hygienist who doesn't say hi to me or has that cocky expression on her face, I guess I will kill her with kindness! Perhaps comment on how pretty she looks naturally for Halloween, which is coming up next week.

Then at the same time, I shouldn't have been in the snack room watching college football games. I guess there's no break time...sheesh. Feel like this is some kind of slave job.

But I can't just quit because it is very difficult for males to find a dental assisting job.

The way it works at the practice I'm at is beginners work in the back. Then two months later, I get to pour up models of articulators. Then I get to take x-ray images of patients mouths. THEN, I get to sit next to the dentists to assist them. I probably won't be assisting until January of 2007.

 

[litldime]

Hey guys, thanks for all the great comments.

I did talk this issue over with my parents and one of the dentists today.

The dentist told me things like some of you guys here said. He said that I'm headed for dental school, and will not have to "scrub dental instruments" for the rest of my life. As oppose to that biatch who has to do that since she can't get into a nursing program. Then as for that dental hygienist who doesn't say hi to me or has that cocky expression on her face, I guess I will kill her with kindness! Perhaps comment on how pretty she looks naturally for Halloween, which is coming up next week.

Then at the same time, I shouldn't have been in the snack room watching college football games. I guess there's no break time...sheesh. Feel like this is some kind of slave job.

But I can't just quit because it is very difficult for males to find a dental assisting job.

The way it works at the practice I'm at is beginners work in the back. Then two months later, I get to pour up models of articulators. Then I get to take x-ray images of patients mouths. THEN, I get to sit next to the dentists to assist them. I probably won't be assisting until January of 2007.

just keep your head and up and be the best you can be so no one can question you or hate on your falsely. As long as you're doing your job to the best of your ability, no one can complain unless they are lying
gluck
ld

 

[Lemming]

Maybe it's the downturn in weather after a beautiful weekend making everyone cranky😉

 

[nazeeuh]

I know exactly how you feel. A few years ago I worked as a dental assistant and basically spent the first month or so scrubbing and preparing (cleaning) the rooms before and after each patient. But eventually, the dentist let me assist her chairside.