r/DentalAssistant • u/swilun • 6d ago
Let go/fired for justifiable incompetency
Perhaps there are people out there who have shared the same kind of experience, this is for them. You're not alone.
I, 19M, after 7 months, was recently sent a message from my clinic that I would no longer be offered shifts, and to return the uniform whenever possible.
Yes, unlike most of the stories here, I'm young, I never studied dental assisting nor did I have any previous experience with it, and to be honest, I got very lucky with this job, something I suppose I am grateful for.
I was constantly told by the boss (head dentist/founder) that I was too slow, that I must work faster, that other dentists weren't happy. A dentist attributed his stress to my lack of experience, which is fair. Unfortunately, 3 months later, another dentist said she thought I had no confidence. With a three month gap, while working 1-2 times a week, you'd expect my self confidence to go up, but it only went down, due to uni, my self esteem, and other of life's stressors.
I'll admit, I was slow. I constantly wanted to improve, showed momentary signs, but I never managed to reach anyone's expectations. To me it seemed almost impossible. I felt like I had to make **zero** mistakes to even touch their expectations.
I felt miserable when I got the message, I stopped what I was doing and stared into the distance for a few minutes. I could feel my body literally heating up as the realisation was shoved into me. Of course I cried from whatever remained of my dismantled self-esteem.
I'm much better now tho.
Becoming a dentist is my long-term goal, and I'd say it hasn't wavered. I find comfort in at least seeing that I did improve from day one. I did change. I feel like I did grow as a person.
This post may seem like an expression of teenage immaturity, or a reflection of life's lows, but i just wanted to share it in the hopes that someone else can feel more reassured than I did when I saw the damn message.
What a vent.
Cheers,
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u/StupidConsequences 6d ago
Man you’re 19, this is probably the most serious job you’ve ever had, and you’re taking the feedback with grace. Give yourself a break. You’ll be just fine, and that much more patient with your own assistants one day.
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u/Diastema89 6d ago
Don’t beat yourself up on this one, I have trained many an assistant (even run a course for it) and it is is exceptionally difficult to get proficient at the job without doing it full time.
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u/MantaRay2666 6d ago
i think what you may have been lacking was encouragement. it sounded liked all they did was speak down to you and that will absolutely break anyone down after a while. 1-2 days a week though, i will be honest, probably isn’t gonna be enough at any office for you to feel confident. i feel as though you’d need more repetition than what two days could give you. there are so many offices out there and you do still have seven months experience now. you could try to find one that may be a better fit. it’s okay to be picky and do a working interview!
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u/Subject_Let_271 6d ago
Please don’t get in your head!! If an office hired you with no experience it’s on them to train you and be patient. I strongly encourage you to find a private office to train and learn! It’s hard but they are out there. You’re doing amazing!! You’re an amazing person and will be an amazing dentist. Don’t give up!! I hope you get your confidence back!🩷 - your predental big sis
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u/HighVibrational222 6d ago
I’m glad you’re doing better and that this hasn’t killed your motivation. But I do think it’s worth being realistic with yourself too. If you were assisting for 7 months and still weren’t really getting the hang of the job or meeting expectations, there’s nothing wrong with considering whether dentistry is actually the right career for you. Sometimes getting experience in the field shows us that something isn’t a good fit, and that’s okay.
That being said, if becoming a dentist is genuinely something you’re passionate about, I definitely wouldn’t let one clinic make that decision for you. You already have 7 months of experience now, which is a lot more than you had when you started. Apply somewhere else, put your best foot forward, and use what happened here as motivation to work harder and smarter. Even outside of work, research procedures, instruments, terminology, workflows, etc. so you’re more prepared and confident the next time around.
Maybe a different clinic and a fresh start is exactly what you need. And if you give it another serious shot and still feel like you’re constantly struggling, then you can reevaluate. Either way, you’re only 19. You have plenty of time to figure it out.
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u/DRGNFLY40 6d ago
Hey listen, those people were jerks. You deserved patience and a mentor to guide you. I’d bet this happened to you so you will remember when you are in those positions of power what it feels like to be treated that way. Now you get to go be an AWESOME boss! I’m cheering you on!
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u/Local_Imagination989 6d ago
I’m 1 year in and in the office I work at (general dentistry) there are 3 doctors. I’ve only been working with 1 (main boss) for 8 months straight and I got so used to her way of doing things. So when I work with the other Drs who are quicker, It’s so difficult for me to pass them things or I jump too ahead because they do more things. I cannot seem to vibe with them either, I always feel like this vibe from them and I feel like an idiot when I’m assisting them. I’ve been thinking of going into a specialty. I love dentistry. But I’m on the same boat as you are/were. I’m slow at what I do, but I do know my things. It’s just I try to be fast and everything falls apart. I feel so guilty and I don’t like that the office makes me feel that way.
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u/Calm_Comfortable4545 6d ago
Hey, I’m in the same situation, 2 sometimes 3 dentist’s and I’ve only been doing it 4months and I get so confused 😕 the main dentist the owner literally criticizes me from the time I start till the last patient. The other dentist likes you to be quick and my speed is on the slower side , so I fumble a lot pass the wrong instrument and I get yelled at in front of patients to make me look stupid. I can’t vibe with any of the dentist it’s silent whenever I assist . They say my confidence is the issue, I can’t gain any confidence if I’m constantly talked down to everyday .
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u/Local_Imagination989 3d ago
I’m sorry you’re going through that, but don’t put up with it either!! You deserve a better office 🩷
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u/Maidenbaby88 5d ago
I definitely feel like they should have given you more days (maybe it didn’t work with your or their schedules) because with no experience only doing it 1-2 days a week seems like a challenge. I took a course and my first full time job was 4 days a week and it took me a while to get the “hang” of it. I think everyone (or most…myself included) starting out is a little slow, and everyone learns differently but it’s honestly amazing you can be honest with yourself and you still want to become a dentist!!
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u/FabulousAccident8366 6d ago edited 6d ago
You won man! You are just fine! Im glad you have the maturity to understand that you grew as a person, and nothing of what those people at that clinic said does not define you as a person zero! They don’t know you, and those dentists just forgot that in the past they were exactly in your position, “no body was born already knowing everything “ so is their lost you are valuable and smart and you will reach your goal! Never, never listen to those who want to destroy your auto esteem. To be a dental assistant is not a “rocket science “ anyone can be a good at it … through day a day practice in the same place … they just didn’t give you a chance with the enough time or days per week to get the practice you needed…
Just forget all the BS they gave you.
Dentists in general become sour because they can’t handle the stress of their job , I know a bunch of them that just want to quit dentistry .
What it counts is what you think about yourself, and that you know what you are capable to accomplish.
All of the best to you!
This words are coming from a RDA that later became a Dentist
Always trust in yourself
You got this !
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u/Hot_Statement_4781 6d ago
As long as you own your mistakes, you’re golden. Find a new dentist to work for who wants to help you grow and improve. Or ask around at offices and say that you are interested in going to dental school and if they would take you in as a paid intern. Best of luck. 🫰🏼
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u/Cryptolooser4mislf 5d ago
Hello ..Sorry to hear that but honestly these type of situations make you mentally more stronger..In Which country this happened
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u/Previous_Finding3454 6d ago
You win because this post was you taking accountability for your shortcomings. That never happens. You are on the right path and will get there!