What to Do When Your New Job Isn’t a Good Fit

Landing the perfect job directly after graduation is the dream of many dental hygiene students but what if the dental office is not a good fit? Here is some advice from dental hygienists who bounced back from a negative work experience.

“My first job was in an antiquated office with no ultrasonic, little instrument selection, and one receptionist so it was a two-person show. Needless to say I worked for approximately 4 months before not being able to take it anymore. Before you look for another position, it may be worth talking with the dentist employer. Make a list of items you need to perform your professional responsibilities to their maximum efforts and talk it over with him/her, stating you need to meet the standard of care and the environment is prohibiting you from doing so. He might ask you to assist in the payment, which I would not consider unless you plan to take it with you. Many choices lie ahead for you, so if the dentist is not willing to accommodate you and is too frugal to do so, then time for a change!”

—Lucinda B. McKechnie, RDH, BS

A practicing clinical dental hygiene for more than 40 years, and she was named one of Dimensions of Dental Hygiene’s “Six Dental Hygienists You Want to Know” for clinical practice in December 2011.

“I would encourage you to think what aspect of the experience is absolutely not what you are looking for. Try to isolate that piece, is it simply the outdated equipment or some part of the patient care experience? The rushed schedule perhaps, or something else? For me, I worked for a wonderful practice with the best practitioners and happy co-workers. However, each morning in our huddle we discussed production and who had met goals. It became this monster I dreaded and I walked into work with a boulder in my stomach each day. The feeling of not “producing” and having to explain why I fell short were not what I wanted for my dental hygiene career. So eventually I moved on, and it just so happened during that time I was learning all I could about working with direct access populations, especially older adults. Once you have identified what it is that is causing you dread each morning, consider your dream environment or your dream job. Setting small achievable goals that guide you toward accomplishing your bigger goals is satisfying and often encouraging enough to keep you on the right path.

Please know that the profession of dental hygiene is an exciting one. We have so many opportunities to share our great knowledge of oral health and how that contributes to general health. Whether you work in private practice, research, public health, or create an avenue for yourself that is totally unique, I assure you the sky is the limit and your future as dental hygienist is bright.”

—JoAnn R. Gurenlian, RDH, MS, PhD

Professor and graduate program director in the Department of Dental Hygiene at Idaho State University in Pocatello, and the 2015 winner of Dimensions of Dental Hygiene’s The Esther Wilkins Lifetime Achievement Award and a Dimensions Editorial Advisory Board member.