We’ve all been there—a toxic work environment, a practice that offers limited opportunities for growth, a bad manager, or you’ve outgrown the position. No matter the reason for leaving a dental office, there are some rules to follow when exiting a job.
GIVE NOTICE
Provide a minimum of 2 weeks’ notice. While employers appreciate plenty of notice when a dental hygienist resigns—think 3 or 4 weeks—2 weeks is generally accepted. If you decide to quit without providing 2 weeks’ notice, be prepared to deal with any blowback from supervisors (ie, walking away without a reference letter).
DO IT IN PERSON
Schedule a face-to-face meeting with your manager to deliver the news that you will no longer be working at the office as of a specific date. This is not the time to list all your grievances with the practice or gloat about the new practice you plan to work for. Thank your boss for the opportunity to grow and learn at the dental office, but explain you have found a job opportunity that aligns with your career path.
WRITE A LETTER
Draft and finalize a resignation letter to provide to human resources. There are several resignation templates online to make the process easy. You should bring the letter to the meeting with your supervisor when you share the news of your resignation. In this letter, state that you will be leaving the practice on said date, and offer to help through this transition period. You do not have to explain why you are leaving, say where you are going, or share anything about your future plans. If you have been at the practice for several years and wish to go into more detail about your career plans be sure to not write anything that can prevent a friendly exit from the practice.
CRUSH THE NEGATIVITY
Just because you’ve made the decision to leave the practice, and officially handed in your resignation, now is not the time to start badmouthing the practice to coworkers or on personal social media platforms. And do not slack off, come in late, or cut corners now that an exit date is in sight. Burning bridges is the wrong move when exiting an office. You never know when you may been a reference from your previous employer, and you may run into a former staff member in the future.
