How to Balance Work, Family, and Dental Assisting School  

Congratulations! You’ve decided to pursue a career as a dental assistant. If you’re like most of our students, you’ll need to continue to work while you’re in school. The tips below will help you to maintain balance for the next 13 weeks while you complete your Dental Assistant Program. If you complete your Expanded Duties Dental Assistant Program directly after your DA education, you’ll be in school for a total of 20 weeks. The tips below will help you maintain balance over the next few months.

#1 Take Night and Weekend Classes

If you need to work full-time, part-time, or care for your children during the day, daytime classes won’t work for you. To ensure accessibility, the American Institute of Dental Assisting also offers convenient evening and weekend classes and clinic hours. The hours we assign in our live dental clinic provide you with the hands-on training required to refine your skills and boost your confidence in your new career. It’s also why many dentists come to AIDA when they have job openings!

#2 Communicate With Your Employer

We understand that it may be too soon to inform your employer know that you’ll be making a career move. If it’s too soon to let them know, look for ways to lighten your load at work. This might mean delegating more and declining new responsibilities. If you’re comfortable with letting your employer know you’ll be going back to school, share what would help make the next couple of months easier.

#3 Schedule Time Off

If you have unused vacation days, consider spreading them out across a few 3 or 4 day weekends. Or take a full week off halfway or three-quarters of the way through your program for a bit of a reprieve.

#4 Ask For Help

Let your friends, family, and partner know how they can help. Maybe they can take a few responsibilities off your plate for the next few months. This might include babysitting the kids, preparing more meals, and helping around the house. At the very least, let them know you may not be as available for the next few months. For the kids, this might mean missing some extracurricular activities. You can also free up time by utilizing on-demand services for grocery shopping, errands, and other tasks.

#5 Schedule Self-Care

You’ll have even less free time in your schedule when you return to school, but make the most of what you have to minimize burnout risk. What self-care looks like is unique to you. This might include spending quality time with friends and family, engaging in hobbies, working out, eating well, and prioritizing sleep.

#6 Plan and Organize

Set aside time on a set day each week, or every evening, to plan the day or week ahead. This should include checking your schedule to review your personal and professional obligations while leaving ample time for school and homework. You can use a scheduling tool and reminder app to stay on track. Also, pack and organize what you need for home, work, school, and self-care.

This may include:

  • Choosing your outfits for the week
  • Packing your clinic scrubs
  • Packing your gym bag
  • Meal planning and grocery shopping
  • Organizing your desk
  • Organizing your purse or bag

Here’s to Your New Career in Dental Assisting!

Yes, it’s going to be a lot, but the tips above will help you maintain balance and mentally prepare for the months ahead. Keep your eye on the prize, as you can realistically expect to be working as a dental assistant within the next 6 months!

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