I feel your pain. I am in a similar spot where I don’t look forward to work because of the environment. My boss is picky sometimes and looks for any reason to jump on me and the next moment he notices nothing. The inconsistency is killing me and the up and down mood of not only him but his assistant make work miserable. I have even decided to move on to another line of work I’m so disillusioned. My advise is to get out and try your best to find an office that appreciates you. I have my fingers crossed for you!!!

It’s hard to say because as stated already all states have different protocol on certain things. I would say that it may be inherently harder to be a male hygienist but that’s not to say it is t possible. One oft clinical professors was male and he was great!! I don’t think skipping ahead in any program is doable because they tend to move forward in the curriculum as a class and there is a TON to learn outside the clinical aspect. Hygiene school is very stressful too!! I disappeared for two years!!:) The assistant part I find hilarious!!! Some have them but it isn’t the norm;) Good luck!!!

I have been feeling the same way. I have even started the process to go back to school for something else because I’m so frustrated. There are no jobs out there that are any closer than an hour from me and when there is a job hundreds apply so I never get called. I feel your pain!! Good luck!

I find it helps to move slowly. I always introduce the sensor by pushing on the side of the tongue first and having them bite down very slowly. I have found it helps when taking maxillary PA’s to allow them to hold the XCP in place. This had helped many times. The foot trick sometimes works but not always.

In order to avoid my current employer finding I don’t include the office name or town of my practice in my resume. It seems to have worked and if a job is offered I will give them full disclosure of my current work.

I remember I hated the ultrasonic in school and preferred hand scaling. You learn in practice where it helps manage time but I still like a hand scale better especially with SRP cause I like to feel the calc this way and see it come out on the pocket if possible. You do things how you feel is best and don’t worry what others think;)

I work 20-28 hours a week. I don’t want to be full time do to other family commitments and the fact that it takes me an hour to get to work:/ I also want time to invest in other interests not having to do with teeth.

I think the amount of time I spend on homecare is good and I always do demos. One of the issues I run into most is compliance. I have had a couple of patients have full mouth SRP every two years and they just won’t do the work at home. It frustrates me but I can’t force them.

It’s definitely rough out there. I have 3 years experience and have a job but am having a hard time moving on due to so few jobs out there. I think the main issue is over saturation…there are far too many of us out there and not enough jobs. I apply to jobs and due to so many applicants I never get called. It’s a tough market for new grads that’s for sure.
Bmosheim