If you have recently received a job offer to work in a new dental practice and said yes, congratulations! Change is good — and if you feel great about this office, that’s a wonderful sign that it’s the right fit for you, too. Whether you finished dental assisting school recently or have been working for years, you may not remember everything you learned during your dental assistant training — including best practices for switching to a new practice. Below, find some top tips to help make the transition as smooth as possible!
Get Ready for Change
If you go into your new job expecting it to be just like your old one, you are probably in for a rude awakening. You will be working with new people, in a new place, and that means you will be adjusting for a few weeks at least and several months if you are like most people. Going into the job prepared for change — and even embracing it — will make things a lot easier on you.
Brush Up on State Requirements
If you are starting the job in a new state, you should definitely take some time to remind yourself of their specific requirements for dental assistants. Even if you are in the same state you’ve always lived and worked it, though, it is still a good idea to reacquaint yourself with the state protocols. Being able to quickly and confidently state how much continuing education is required for your job, for instance, will show that you are ready to take on the position.
Ask Questions
No matter how long you have been in the field, you won’t know everything on day one — and no sane dental practice would expect you to. Don’t hesitate to ask questions as they arise. Your new colleagues will not only be glad you spoke up, you’ll start to feel more confident as you find your voice in the office.
Go With the Flow
Last but not least, don’t forget that you are not going to be a pro the first day, week, month, or even year at any new practice. You shouldn’t be afraid to shake things up if you see a process that could be improved, but also remember that you have a lot to learn in the new position. So take a deep breath and remind yourself to go with the flow — and try to enjoy the ride along the way! You are educated, experienced, and you are in just the right place. Your new coworkers are lucky to have you there!
Want to Learn More about Dental Assisting?
Dental Assistant Pro is educating the next class of dental assistants — and you could be one of them. To learn more about this career and whether or not it is right for you, get in touch with one of their school locations today.
