Episode 420: Dental Assistants Avoid Burnout With These Steps!

Dental assistants work under constant pressure, expected to stay focused, calm, and precise while caring for patients and supporting the dental team. Over time, this demanding pace often leads to stress, physical pain, mental exhaustion, and burnout, especially when dental assistants put everyone else first and ignore their own health. This conversation explores why burnout is so common in dental assisting and how daily stress builds when self-care is treated as optional instead of necessary. It covers practical ways dental assistants can manage stress, protect their physical and mental health, and build simple daily habits around sleep, movement, nutrition, emotional awareness, and boundaries. It also shares quick techniques that can be used during the workday to reduce stress and support long-term career sustainability. This podcast is sponsored by: CareCredit CareCredit alleviates financial stress so you can focus on the precision and skilled work your patients deserve. Our financing options provide a foundational support system for both your practice and your dental team. drop me an email at: [e-mail] to learn how care credit works with your practice and you as a dental assistant. —------------------------------- Connect with Wendy Ernzen LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wendyernzen/ Email: [e-mail] Website: https://www.letsplanthouses.com/ —------------------------------- Meet me at the Chicago Midwinter Meeting, February 20–21, for two powerful sessions: ✨ Harnessing the Power of Personalities in the Dental Practice February 20, 8:00 AM – 9:30 AM learn how understanding personalities can transform teamwork and communication in your dental practice. 🔥 Battling and Beating the Demons of Dental Assisting February 21, 8:00 AM – 9:30 AM an honest, empowering session just for dental assistants about overcoming the real challenges in our profession. Let’s connect, learn, and grow together. In 2026 it’s going to be a year of real conversations and real change for dental assistants everywhere. 👉 Chicago Midwinter Meeting: https://midwintermeeting.eventscribe.net/?_gl=1*15ae5ic*_ga*MTY3Nzc0OTM5OC4xNzU5OTcxOTAw*_ga_VZTQV2NKLH*czE3NTk5NzE5MDAkbzEkZzAkdDE3NTk5NzE5MDAkajYwJGwwJGgw