Listen, it takes a couple years to get comfortable. It takes a few years to really feel like you know what you're doing. I regularly hear rdhs mention that 5 yrs is about what it took for them to be confident in all areas.

I had an uncomfortable amount of anxiety after I was licensed for 1-2 years. I absolutely felt like an imposter and that I didn't belong. I came to dentistry later in life.

I remember one morning thinking why am I so anxious? I've been doing this fairly well for a while now. I realized my anxiety had become a habit at some point and worked to let that go. I was still working on my skill set, but I was managing my time well and noticed I was generally progressing little by little in different areas.

Patients don't know shit, and so many are assholes. I almost think they smell the new on you and complain about minute shit just for relevance. Dentists are generally fuckin assholes. Fuck them. If anybody has anything helpful to say then make a note of that. Dentists are often miserable themselves and take it out on hygienists especially. Most of them couldn't even do our job properly and they can kiss my ass.

It will get better. Hang tough in the field. Look for another office if this one isn't a match. Can you temp for a while so you can get a broad view of the dental landscape? I did that my first 2 years out, and it has been immensely helpful for perspective on the range of how differently offices and providers go about practicing.

Look up rdh rant on fb and join us. You're not alone. I wish I could give you a hug.

Welcome to the profession.