u/CatPuzzleheaded2075

I started working at a busy pediatric dental office about a month ago. As expected, we see a lot of kids who are extremely scared, crying, screaming, or refusing treatment.

One thing that's been surprising to me is how often physical restraint is used. I've been told that if a child is fighting treatment, we just hold them still, with force, so the procedure can be completed. One coworker even mentioned the amount of times she had bruises on her own hands from holding kids so tightly, which left me feeling a little off because I don’t wanna put my hands on someone else’s kid, especially if it leaves them bruising too. (Because if her hands were bruised, it’s likely she left bruises as well)

I also had a young patient who was very anxious about fluoride. Instead of rushing, I spent a little time talking to him, asking if he was ready before I applied it, and he eventually calmed down and cooperated. Afterward, I was told I should never ask a child if it's okay to start and that I should just put the fluoride in their mouth.

I understand that pediatric dentistry can be challenging, and I know there are times when treatment has to be completed safely. But I'm struggling to figure out what's considered normal behavior management versus what's considered excessive.

I'm genuinely trying to learn what the standard of care and culture is in pediatric dentistry, not criticize anyone. I'd really appreciate hearing how things are handled in your offices.

i just started out at a new office a couple weeks ago and the doctor seemed really sweet during the interview but i’ve been noticing and hearing some things that are making me scratch my head.

first, there is no hygienist, so the doctor is doing the cleanings and i assist during. she is very particular in the sense that she does NOT want any prophy paste to fly on her while working. if even a little splatters on her, she gets up to change her lab coat. it honestly gives me so much anxiety while assisting because that’s all i’m focused on and sometimes it’s just hard to control the prophy paste. like that’s just gonna happen, it’s inevitable. that’s why you wear a lab coat? but i digress

the other thing is, she does not let you call off or take days off. i get it, she needs the help and it’s a small but fast paced office but it’s a little weird. the OC let me know that the Dr made her go into work with pink eye in BOTH eyes… AND, she had to leave work early the other day because her son was sick and the doctor gave her the cold shoulder the next day and was not talking to her. the OC said as punishment, the doctor made her come in early and couldn’t clock in until regular start time. the OC literally said the doctor Can and Will punish you but “she’s still easy to work for” probably because she sent them on a cruise during Christmas time but idk…… I’m feeling weird…… help……

she also does not tolerate tardiness in any capacity, not even 3 minutes. i got stuck in traffic on my way there once and showed up at 7:49 and she was noticeably irritated. i am usually there 10 minutes before i ‘m supposed to be

I started at a pediatric office about a month ago after being out of dental for over a year and was kind of thrown into the fire and had minimal to no training. The office is also super busy. Like 5 patients an hour busy. I’m primarily assisting with cleanings and taking X-rays. At my previous offices, my X-rays were always good because I was able to use the rinn but at this office they’re pretty old school and there’s just a tiny sensor we put in their mouth and we have to gauge where to position the head, and then we have to develop them, it’s a whole thing. Obviously my X-rays been pretty shitty lately. I either cone cut or it comes out blurry. I don’t know what to do anymore :(

The molar shots are usually pretty good, but everything else honestly sucks

Also suddenly bad at taking panos?

I was an assistant for three years but quit at the beginning of last year and got a job as a barista instead. I worked for 4 different doctors/offices and every experience was pretty much the same. Most of the doctors were stuck up, rude and unappreciative and most of the time just threw you into the fire, expecting you to just know how to do literally everything even though every doctor and office is different. I just got burnt out.

I decided to come back because I really need better pay and health insurance. I started at this new office 2 weeks ago and I’m already remembering why I left dental. It’s a small family practice and everyone is really close and worked together for years. They’re always joking around with each other and laughing and I’m a naturally shy and quiet person especially at work. My second day, I was left alone to do everything by myself. And since then, it’s been a figure it out yourself ordeal. Sometimes I’m just like “wtf am I even doing?” It’s a pediatric office and we see about 5 patients an hour and it’s only the Dr, me and the other assistant. No hygienist. I’m starting to feel like they’re getting aggravated with me because I still don’t have the way she likes to work down to a T, and because I’m not extremely talkative and it’s making me anxious. Every office I’ve worked at was super cliquey :( I’m just sad because I feel like I’ll never find a truly good job.

Anyone else?