3 signs of burnout dental assistants should watch for
Dental assisting can be a challenging career, but it’s ultimately a rewarding one for many. Naturally, any job comes with stress from time to time. But when stress becomes prolonged or starts leading to other physical, mental, and emotional symptoms, you may be experiencing burnout. Workplace burnout is defined by the American Psychological Association as “an occupation-related syndrome resulting from chronic workplace stress that has not been successfully managed.” It can not only affect your ability to perform well at work, but it can also lead to mental, physical, and emotional side effects. If you’re a dental assistant who’s feeling more stressed at work and concerned you’re experiencing burnout — or you just want to take proactive steps to avoid it — here are some warning signs you should look for.
Fatigue
Because dental assisting is hard work, it’s normal to feel tired after a long day at the office. However, if you regularly feel physically and mentally exhausted — despite getting plenty of rest at home or taking time off — it could be a sign of burnout. Experiencing chronic stress from high workloads can cause hormonal imbalances and disrupt sleep, making it difficult to stay energized. You may feel like you’re in a fog or be unable to get your mind off of work, leaving you without the energy to do things around the house or engage in social activities.
If this sounds like you, focus on self-care. Prioritize getting enough sleep every night so you can adequately recharge for the next day; try to exercise and eat healthy to maintain your physical wellness; and do activities that bring you joy and take your mind off of the dental office. If you believe overwork is contributing to fatigue, have a conversation with your employer to address your concerns and discuss potential solutions.
Lack of motivation
Having a reason to show up to work every day and perform at your best can keep you going even through tough periods. When you’re feeling burned out at work, however, your motivation may waver. Just waking up and driving to work each morning may cause you stress, and you may feel like you’re going through the motions. Perhaps the things you used to look forward to about dental assisting — such as helping patients — don’t drive you or bring you joy the way they did previously. For example, you may feel less empathetic toward patients or question whether you’re really making a difference in their lives.
If you aren’t feeling as motivated lately, it may help to remember your “why.” What made you become a dental assistant? In the best of times, what do you enjoy about your work? Whether it’s making a meaningful difference in patients’ lives or being part of a team, reminding yourself why you enjoy dental assisting and celebrating even small wins (e.g., calming a nervous patient or getting through a busy day as a team) can reignite your passion. If your motivation is lacking because you aren’t feeling challenged or appreciated, it may be worth having a conversation with your dentist, office manager, or another practice leader to address the issue.
Decline in performance
When you’re experiencing burnout, you may start to notice your performance slipping — even if others don’t. You may be having trouble concentrating during a procedure, forgetting steps in your infection control checklist, or just taking longer to perform everyday tasks. If your workload is too high, you may rush to keep up and make mistakes as a result. Whatever the case may be, it’s important to be honest with yourself and ask for help if you feel your performance dipping. Talk to your practice leaders about your workload, especially if it’s overwhelming. Together, you can determine ways to take some responsibilities off your plate or make adjustments to the daily schedule. You can also discuss taking time off or receiving breaks during the day to recharge and regroup.