As a dental assistant, you’ve likely chosen this career because it lets you help others, gain valuable skills, and work in a fast-paced environment where no two days are truly the same! However, alongside the clinical expertise you’ll gain, a vital aspect of your role will include working with all sorts of different personalities, including both patients and colleagues. And sometimes, you’ll encounter individuals who may be a little challenging to interact with. Knowing how to manage these dynamics can make all the difference in the world when it comes to maintaining a productive and positive work environment. Here’s what you need to know.
What Types of Personalities Will I Frequently Interact With?
On any given day, you can encounter all sorts of different personalities when working in a dental office, but a few of the most commonly recurring ones include:
- Anxious Patients – Many patients experience dental anxiety, which can manifest not only as nervousness but also as frustration, irritability, or even reluctance to cooperate during procedures.
- Difficult Patients – These patients might be uncompromising or undecided when it comes to treatment or prone to blaming the dental staff for various problems.
- Demanding Colleagues – You might encounter coworkers or dentists who have high expectations and little patience, which makes everything feel critical or rushed.
- Negative Employees – These individuals might frequently complain, resist change, gossip, slack off on their duties, or create an otherwise toxic work environment.
How Can I Effectively Work Alongside Difficult Personalities?
This doesn’t mean that every personality you interact with in a dental office will cause friction; there are several positive patients and employees out there who you’ll get along with! However, when navigating these waters, it’s important to keep a few things in mind.
Empathy is one of the most critical tools in your toolkit. Difficult behaviors often stem from stress, fear, or even just a bad day; by showing patience and understanding, you can help de-escalate a tense situation. This is also where strong communication skills come into play; being an active listener and using positive, concise language goes a long way.
It’s also wise to set respectful boundaries; you don’t have to endure rudeness or unreasonable demands. If a patient or coworker becomes overly aggressive or disrespectful, you can say something like “I understand you’re frustrated, but let’s work together to find a solution.” This lets them know their behavior is affecting the situation while still keeping things professional.
Spending eight to ten hours with the same group of people day in and day out ends up equating to quite a lot of time – so it’s always best to get along with all who work in your office. Knowing how to make the most out of negative situations with others is a skill that will serve you well throughout your career as a dental assistant and beyond!
About the Green Country School of Dental Assisting
Here at the Green Country School of Dental Assisting, we’ve helped numerous dental assistants kick-start their careers, and nothing makes us happier than seeing our students succeed in their exciting new roles! To learn more about our available courses or to request additional enrollment information, please visit our website or call us today. Telephone: (918) 343-7188.