Most jobs deal with people, and when you deal with people, you’re likely going to have workplace conflicts.
Something many people notice about the dental field is how gossipy it is… Maybe it’s the fact that the majority in each clinic is female? Either way, a colleague and I got into a conversation and started trading stories about clinics.
Here are a few of the more common conflicts found at the clinic:
Boss throws a tantrum
Now, the worst thing about having your boss chucking tantrums is just that… they’re your boss. If they were a friend or family member, I’ld smack them on the side of the head and tell them to grow up …. or maybe not, but you get the point! There’s no other way to handle it (unless you don’t mind getting the sack) but to smile and ignore their jibes directed at you.
Boss bitches about you to a patient… in front of you
The worst thing a boss could do is talk down to their staff in front of a patient. Seriously, what’s the point of that? I mean, the staff is pretty much trapped in that room with you … why make it even worse than it already is?
Do you seriously think that we enjoy being in your presence?
Doesn’t the boss realise how completely unprofessional it is to question the competency of staff in front of the patient when they’re in the middle of treatment?? It’s like the doctor saying to the nurse, “Don’t kill the patient when I’m gone” whilst she’s adjusting the patients’ IV.
If someone has worked with you for 5 freaking years and you’re still questioning their competency, then why the heck didn’t you bring it up earlier?!?
Boss discloses detailed information about you to a patient… without consent
A staff member had to take sick leave for surgery and during the whole time she was away, my boss would tell patients (in detail) why my colleague was not working regardless of whether or not the patient even asked about it. When my colleague came back to work, everyone knew.
Just because staff are obligated to tell you WHY they have to take sick leave, it does not obligate you to let the whole freaking world know too!
Colleagues playing mind games
You know the types, they’re the ones who weedle their way into everyones’ good-books and then cunningly get individuals into trouble or even sacked. You won’t even know what hit you.
I know of all the staff quitting because the practice manager has the dentist wrapped around their little finger, and oblivious to the boss, they bully other staff.
Workplace politics
I’m not very good with politics, and I do my best to avoid it like the plague. But when you’ve been approached in your work room, then there’s not much choice but to listen to the arguments. When war breaks out, I like to think of myself as Switzerland – neutral to the flaw.
If the above statement is true… then this must be my family
We actually have more cows, but they’re all spread out in the clinic and I couldn’t find them…. plus I didn’t want the boss to think I was spending my time so unproductively. heH…
…under Washington Administrative Code 246-16-100, they [health professionals] “shall not engage, or attempt to engage, in sexual misconduct with a current patient.” Sexual misconduct “includes but is not limited to” sex, kissing, “hugging . . . of a romantic . . . nature,” “suggesting or discussing the possibility of a dating, sexual or romantic relationship after the professional relationship ends,” “
No dice! Subsection (3) of the provision states that “a health care provider shall not engage, or attempt to engage” in any of these activities “with a former patient, client or key party within two years after the provider-patient/client relationship ends.” Two years is not a short time. 
it’s just never ending!
I just wish there was a little more detail into the presentations, I’ld rather not listen in on something that bores me to tears… I think I would rather have a monotone lecturer with an interesting topic than an animated lecturer with a boring topic.
I suppose it’s because it’s most rewarding when you finally convince the stubborn 70yo or bratty 6yo to brush their teeth. 
I accidentally discovered a [no so] great method on how to scare the crap out of a kid in the dental chair, and very possibly scar them for life to the point that they refuse to return until they have pus pouring out of the multiple abscesses they have!
Start as per usual, inviting the patient into the room and into the dental chair. It may be good to still be in the process of setting up as it will make lots of noises, and allows the patient to see all the instruments and imagine the worst-case scenario. Note: Be sure to use the gel etch and fissure sealant in syringe with the tips looking awfully sinister.
When etching and applying sealant, move fast, silently and directly so to make the poor kid jump in surprise thinking they’re getting jabbed by a needle.
How did it happen? Well… I was completely in my own zone that I didn’t even realise how scared she was until she gasped out loud when I first applied the etch. When in the zone, a set of teeth is just another set of teeth, I forgot that this particular set of teeth was actually attached to a patient who has never had a sealant.
