I'm pretty blunt and straightforward. I'm also one of those people who likes definitive answers to everything, when possible. I'm a hammer, and when I have a problem that isn't a nail I am flummoxed. I'm really frustrated with how different every doctor is, and how there seems to be no "correct" answer to most things. Everyone wants something done in a different way, every operatory is organized differently, everyone wants different materials, uses different instruments, etc..

People have noticed this about me and are trying to break me of this mindset. It's funny now, but for the first little bit I wanted to tear my hair out.

EX: First week on the job. The assistant leaves to go do something, and the doctor is still there. He says he needs X. I have no idea what X even is or where it is, so I ask him where I could find it. He says "I don't know where anything is".

Now when you're new as shit and the dentist doesn't know where stuff is, that's pretty alarming and confusing. But after working with him and his assistant for a bit I learned that that area is hers. She (the assistant) organized everything so she could find what was used most often easily and fulfill the dentist's needs as quickly as possible. Before I started in the clinic, it was hammered into me that the assistant's job is to assist the dentist in every way possible. But now I'm learning what that actually means. The doctor doesn't need to deal with my minutiae, they have their own to deal with.

Now, the doctor could have suggested a place for me to start looking. He could have helped me look (he was just dancing to the music at the time). But instead, he chose to use that moment to help me learn how to do my job. (Also he totally knew where X was, grrr) And when I did another rotation with another doctor, nothing was in the same place as it was with the other one.

There have been many other little things like that and each time it happens I feel really dumb but eh, I'm learning. And everyone gets a good chuckle out of it.

When I finally get to settle down with one doctor I am going to be a totally prepared badass...after like, 2 years at least, lol. But I have a feeling I'm still going to be fucked with. I'm an easy target, haha!

There aren't many assistants on here but if anyone is reading this forum and is new to assisting, it might be helpful. Also I just wanted to rant a bit.