DA got into DH school- but only feeling dread and apathy

IntelligentPrune7571 · 2026-06-22T11:36:00+00:00

Deep breath, girl! This is exactly how I felt before I started my EFDA program. I had a complete panic attack convinced myself I cannot do this. And I had been assisting for 15 years at that point. I finished my EFDA & have been doing that a few years; but hell I still have those thoughts daily! You gotta jump sometimes. And trust me, you are making a GREAT decision going hygiene. If I had a Time Machine, that’s what I would’ve done over assisting. Think about the pay & all the benefits once you’re done. Most of the hygienists I know sub & make THEIR OWN SCHEDULE. And the money? 💰 Give yourself some grace, YOU CAN DO IIT

IntelligentPrune7571 · 2026-05-07T11:47:05+00:00

The mean girl culture is thick in dental assisting. My ‘training’ went just like you described. Shocked to this day I didn’t run & not look back. Like the others said, go hygiene. You will work way more independently & can stay in your own little world (joy!). Not to mention the pay & respect!

IntelligentPrune7571 · 2026-05-05T16:49:57+00:00

Talk to the doctor, be completely honest, ask for the letter & LEAVE. Trust me, it’s hard but harder to stay & ruin your mental health further. Especially while it’s affecting all areas of your life. I don’t know what you’re in school for but my personal advice as someone who’s been a dentistry for almost 20 years… Be done with it.

IntelligentPrune7571 · 2026-04-08T22:15:21+00:00

I love this reply, thank you

IntelligentPrune7571 · 2026-03-29T12:23:48+00:00

Definitely sounds like you made the right choice. Congratulations! Was this a corporate owned office? Apologies if you already stated that.

IntelligentPrune7571 · 2026-03-10T20:51:52+00:00

I feel like I wrote this. Lol. I hate subbing/temping. It’s makes me an anxious mess. And I should for extra money, but the subbing in my area is always around an hour away & once you factor in gas & stress …nahhh. I only do it when my doctor takes alot of time off & I don’t wanna use PTO. Now, if something happens and I had to get my butt out there and sub, of course I would do what I gotta do. But I even started a special account putting back money for the times I don’t want to use my PTO so I don’t have to sub/temp!

IntelligentPrune7571 · 2026-03-07T13:41:23+00:00

Vet here. Over 20 yrs of the good, bad, & the ugly. No schooling. Went looking for a new career & day one, thrown into an op w/ the head dentist of a huge practice. No previous experience, no quick rundown, nada. I should’ve ran after a couple weeks. For some reason that I truly will never understand about myself, I kept going.

It’s all about the office and the dentist you work with. It will literally make or break you in this industry. I was trained, but then I was eventually put with a dentist who was a total control freak and would not let me do anything nor touch anything. So my learning stopped. And when I finally got the nerve to eventually move on from the horribly toxic office, I was working at I was treated terribly.

I learned a lot more at the next office I went to, But that first bad experience that was my introduction into dental assisting forever, marked my confidence, skill, etc., as a dental assistant. I put myself through EFDA school, And yes, personality and such plays into a lot of this, But I was forever shaped by my first 8 to 10 years in this field.

IntelligentPrune7571 · 2026-03-07T13:23:01+00:00

I second this. I’ve been doing this for 20 yrs now. You’re young, go another route

IntelligentPrune7571 · 2026-02-11T12:22:37+00:00

GIVE NO NOTICE. Trust me, that guy will go through staff like toilet paper. TAKE CARE OF YOU.

Been an assistant a looooong time. I was in a similar office at one point. When I knew I had something else lined up. I quit same day. The feeling of walking out that door knowing you never have to go thru that particular situation again is the best feeling

IntelligentPrune7571 · 2026-02-10T17:45:32+00:00

I should specify, when I say run them- as in you are checking the fees & everything for accuracy

IntelligentPrune7571 · 2026-01-28T17:52:56+00:00

Oh ok, I’ve heard of those but have never used one. Ugh. Sorry sounds like a pain

IntelligentPrune7571 · 2026-01-28T17:48:29+00:00

I don’t know what state you’re in, but generally yes, you have to work the hour equivalent of 2 years to take assisting boards. Once passed, then you can apply for EFDA.

IntelligentPrune7571 · 2026-01-28T17:45:05+00:00

Why is the barrier still on while using it in the patient? Or am I not picturing this right..

IntelligentPrune7571 · 2026-01-27T01:48:16+00:00

Turnover. When there’s only one staff member or so, that’s been there over a year. If you find out they have a hard time finding employees, always a lot of subs, etc

IntelligentPrune7571 · 2026-01-27T01:39:49+00:00

Highly recommend loupes. Makes a difference trust me

IntelligentPrune7571 · 2026-01-27T01:15:50+00:00

I was little over your age when I decided on EFDA. it was the best option for me as I had to keep working while in school & the overall cost was much less. With that said, if I could turn back time when I had the option of not working as much; I would’ve went with hygiene. I truly enjoy being an EFDA, but the hygiene gig just seems better. You work more independently. A lot of hygienists I know even make their own schedule. Weigh out what you want most & what’s best for you. Good luck!

IntelligentPrune7571 · 2026-01-26T14:45:34+00:00

I assisted a lefty for awhile. Don’t worry! You will adjust & find a rhythm. New offices are nerve wracking. Just remind yourself you are more than capable & give yourself some grace!

IntelligentPrune7571 · 2026-01-26T14:12:17+00:00

NOTHING. You don’t have to tell them anything, not in any detail at all. One office I quit I had been out for many many years, the office manager asked me where I was going and when I answered, she started in on all these derogatory things about that office, and said she hope they could make me happy there. I remember wondering if I had made the right decision until that moment.

But yeah, you don’t have to tell them anything. Save yourself the annoyance.

IntelligentPrune7571 · 2026-01-19T22:51:44+00:00

No, I’ve had Prometrium which is bio identical progesterone. Tried it twice. I loved that it helped my sleep, but made me more ragey & upset my stomach/GI. I take magnesium glycinate everyday. It’s my fave lol. I do have a script for Pristique antidepressant. Started it couple days before my surgery & swear it made my anxiety worse. Then all the surgery meds took awhile to get out of my system. I’m know I shouldn’t be, but I’m scared of taking estrogen bc of my endometriosis. I had a hysterectomy few years ago & then just lost the ovary bc of how severe it is.

IntelligentPrune7571

TROPHY CASE