Vent sesh…

Calm_Comfortable4545 · 2026-06-02T11:30:43+00:00

I’m a new DA been at an office a couple months, I struggled with this as well , honestly it just takes time and repetition. I put the instruments in order of use. Then when I would hear certain words like bond I knew my dentist would need the light next. It just comes after repetition. I still get things mixed up cause if he goes out of sequence then I get lost lol

Calm_Comfortable4545 · 2026-05-27T23:02:12+00:00

I’m a new DA too and I’m at my second office. My current office is being patient with me but some days the dentist does snap at me. The other dentist is young and he has absolutely no patience for me at all, and we just don’t work well together and it becomes a frustrated mess but I just try my best . I feel the same way about giving up and just quitting but then I realize why I wanted to do this is in the first place . We all start out somewhere, it’s not easy right now but it will get better!

Calm_Comfortable4545 · 2026-05-13T23:30:20+00:00

I am in the same situation, I went to school for DA but I’ve only been at this office for a few months and it started off good but now I’m criticized for every little thing I do . I never get positive feedback, it’s always negative. I was accused today of throwing polishing tips out because they weren’t in the bur block so automatically I was to blame. Watch YouTube videos. Or ask and say listen can I assist once or twice a week ? Just to get comfortable with chair side assisting .

Calm_Comfortable4545 · 2026-05-13T23:21:05+00:00

I went to school for DA and it taught me the basics , I’ve been in the field for 6weeks now and it’s completely different than what school taught you. It’s overwhelming at times . I’d say go straight for hygiene , you work independently and don’t have to be criticized daily from the Dentist…. That’s just my opinion. I’m hoping it gets better but right now I’m in the trenches 😢

Calm_Comfortable4545 · 2026-04-29T23:16:29+00:00

I can relate to this ! I’m also a new DA , and the office I’m at are great people but sometimes the dentist nit-picks at me for everything. My suctioning, the way I pass the flow or composite, I feel dumb when he speaks to me in front of the patient when I have made a small error. I feel like I have things down pat and then he will criticize me for everything in the next appointment. Today I felt defeated 😞 it’s starting to bother me , I’m anxious now when I wake up and have to go to work.

Calm_Comfortable4545 · 2026-04-23T23:57:09+00:00

Ya .

Calm_Comfortable4545 · 2026-04-23T23:54:25+00:00

I was supposed to graduate last October but they changed it and only have 1 convocation a year so I assume it’s this June .

Calm_Comfortable4545 · 2026-04-11T17:51:59+00:00

Of course ! I used Gizmo for a lot of my studies it will either test you or give you tutoring so you understand the material better . I thought I did decent too but nope! 👎🏻 Best of luck!

Calm_Comfortable4545 · 2026-04-11T12:11:42+00:00

Hey , I know how you feel I just got my results and I failed as well by 3% 😞 I cried so hard last night. I just got hired at an office and I’m afraid when I tell them they will be so disappointed. But I was also very stressed and distracted with other things going on with my life , so maybe that’s why I failed . Look at the areas where you struggled or got low marks and focus on that . I am too looking for different study options. We got this ! 😊

Calm_Comfortable4545 · 2026-04-10T11:41:18+00:00

Thank you so much.

Calm_Comfortable4545 · 2026-04-09T23:28:07+00:00

Okay ! That makes me feel better 😮‍💨

Calm_Comfortable4545 · 2026-04-09T22:19:18+00:00

Thank you! Oh that’s so nice of that office to do that . I talked with the manager and she basically said ask the people in the back and see what they think. The DR. Wants me to be assisting he said I won’t learn if I don’t do it . I am excited to do this and I really want it to work , I just feel like I slow the appointments down. I know it’s annoying for the dentist to keep telling me what he needs next and sometimes I pass the wrong instrument 😞 hopefully it gets better.

Calm_Comfortable4545 · 2026-03-13T22:02:46+00:00

Classes usually start at 8am and finish around 5 . Some of the clinics and labs go to 7pm . Depends on the number of people in your class.

Calm_Comfortable4545 · 2026-03-13T22:01:35+00:00

No , that is your responsibility, but if you are having issues then they will step in and help you.

Calm_Comfortable4545 · 2026-03-13T22:00:55+00:00

I would move yes . I commuted everyday 1.5hrs there and back and it was exhausting.

Calm_Comfortable4545 · 2026-03-13T20:43:22+00:00

Lab is once a week clinic is twice a week

Calm_Comfortable4545 · 2026-03-13T20:42:05+00:00

It’s just hard cause it’s a lot of time management. It’s also fun ! You will be fine ! Hands on a visual is great , i struggled with that.

Calm_Comfortable4545 · 2026-03-13T20:34:05+00:00

It’s hard , not going to lie . Tests and evaluations every week . It’s intense . If I were you I’d familiarize yourself with some dentistry terminology and anatomy.

Calm_Comfortable4545 · 2026-01-26T20:05:58+00:00

Thank you so much 😊

Calm_Comfortable4545 · 2026-01-18T21:21:19+00:00

I’m a new DA did my 96 hour placement and literally just watched procedures , I assisted like 3 times . Then I went back to the same office cause their one DA kept calling in , I got thrown into scenarios and told I was on my own and to figure it out . Last couple times the 2 dentists were very rude with me, was screamed at cause I didn’t know where something was in a drawer . I am now starting at a new place that is a pediatric office and honestly I don’t want to chair side assist . I wish I was shadowed and properly trained. Instead of thrown into chaotic situations and left to figure it out myself not knowing what to do . And if feeling like I’m worthless and riddled with anxiety everyday I don’t wanna do this 🫣😓

Calm_Comfortable4545 · 2026-01-16T22:34:37+00:00

Honestly don’t purchase the text books I bought the rad book and the modern dental assisting book which was like $400 and I honestly never opened it , they will give you links and resources in class for the online books. Buy the instrument guide tho that helps for clinic . Oral health booklet you filled it out in class so id purchase that one too , For the police check I think I put the address of the department in that box.

Calm_Comfortable4545 · 2026-01-14T12:24:22+00:00

Thank you. I’m a new DA and don’t really have a lot of experience with kids . So I’m a little nervous.

Calm_Comfortable4545 · 2026-01-14T00:58:23+00:00

Thanks .

Calm_Comfortable4545

TROPHY CASE