Boosting your confidence as a dental assistant

If you’re new to the dental assisting profession, beginning a new job opportunity, or being trained on the job, you may be experiencing some nerves or anxious thoughts. Finding confidence as you adapt to a new professional environment is a common challenge for dental assistants. However, overcoming feelings of self-doubt is the first step toward building a successful career.

Confidence in your abilities enhances your performance as a dental assistant and the way you approach new situations. In a healthcare setting, this self-confidence can build patient-provider trust, improve clinical decision-making, and increase efficiency. With the right support and mindset, you can build your self-reliance to feel more established in the office.

Here are some tactics you can use to reassure yourself that you belong in this position.

Remember your background training

Beginning a new role can be intimidating no matter what stage you’re at in your professional career. In the early months of a job, it’s common to feel like all your education and training suddenly flew out the window. It’s also easy to feel overwhelmed by everything there is to learn, especially if you’re being trained on the job. If you start to feel like you’re in over your head, remind yourself of the preparation that led you here.

Depending on your state’s requirements, you may have completed a dental assisting educational program. These programs are designed to prepare future dental assistants with the necessary clinical education to be successful in the workforce. The hours spent studying and in the classroom equip you with a firm baseline knowledge that you can build on as you progress in your role.

For those trained on the job, leaning on support from coworkers and asking a lot of questions can help you develop a stronger skill set. Seeking feedback from experienced colleagues can boost your confidence through external validation of your strengths and progress.

Certifications, such as DANB’s Certified Dental Assistant certification, demonstrate expertise in areas like infection control and radiation safety. There are many reasons to earn certification, including increased dental assisting knowledge, which can instill a new level of self-trust in your abilities.

Separate facts from feelings

Have you ever told yourself you weren’t cut out for a job or felt inferior compared to other dental assistants in the office? Feeding into negative self-talk can quickly snowball into a bad mindset, making it difficult to succeed or feel motivated at work.

When these negative thoughts start to creep in, try to reframe your thinking to focus on the positives by using facts to support your beliefs. If you’re nervous about being chairside for the first time during a procedure, remember all the hard work and training you’ve done beforehand. Give yourself grace if you make a mistake. Everyone has to start somewhere, and no one is perfect.

Changing how you perceive your personal capabilities helps replace distorted thought patterns with real evidence. Think back to any situation you didn’t feel equipped to handle — despite your uneasiness, you were able to strategize and use your resources to resolve that issue. The same goes for any challenges that arise in your position as a dental assistant. Be patient with yourself and try to implement positive self-talk into your daily routines.

Celebrate personal wins

If you start to feel discouraged at work, take a step back and acknowledge everything you’ve accomplished so far. Celebrating progress, no matter how small it seems, reminds you of your ability to rise to the occasion and overcome obstacles.

To get into the habit of recognizing your successes, keep a list or make a mental note of small wins at work. This reinforces positive internal beliefs and boosts confidence in the workplace. If you find yourself struggling to keep up with intricate infection control protocols, pat yourself on the back when you successfully complete a full round of instrument sterilization. When you start to focus on your achievements rather than your faults, you can work with a clearer head and show up at your best.

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