Stress

You've got to be kidding. You're handing instruments to the dentist and cleaning up the patient after the dentist completes his dirty work. How stressful could this possibly be?

Well, consider that many dental patients are not just nervous, but off-the-charts panicked. While you're trying to complete your work, your patient is flinching and fidgeting, trying to avoid another unwelcome incursion into his mouth. Meanwhile, you're trying not to get your fingers bitten off.

This hand-to-hand combat will probably slow you down, meaning a procedure that should take fifteen minutes could easily take twice as long. While you're chomping at the bit to get this patient out the door, two more patients have arrived for their appointments. You need to settle them into the chair, update their information, and prep the equipment the dentist requires.

And did we mention there are only three treatment rooms—and one is currently filled with a cleaning appointment that's dragging on forever?

What happens if an emergency patient arrives—perhaps a kid who's had a couple of teeth knocked out by a badly aimed Little League pitch? Perhaps you're starting to realize this job can be a bit stressful—and you're clenching your teeth just thinking about it. Sounds like you need a squeezable stress ball.