Working in retail can take a serious toll on your mental health, to say the least. Long hours, unpredictable schedules, physically demanding shifts, and of course, having to deal with difficult customers can all lead to burnout, anxiety, and even depression over time. Many retail workers find themselves feeling overworked, underappreciated, and stuck in a vicious cycle where it doesn’t seem like there’s a clear path forward or out. If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone and you do have options; one powerful and positive career shift to consider is dental assisting.  To learn more about why, continue reading below!

How Can Retail Work Affect My Mental Health?

Though most retail workers will greet you with a smile, behind that smile they might be experiencing stress or diminished mental health due to their job. Some common concerns for retail employees that can affect their mental health include:

• Stressful, Unpredictable Hours – Retail jobs often include long shifts that tend to ramp up significantly during the weekends, nights, and holidays. Irregular schedules can become common, and it can affect your sleeping patterns, social life, and even your health.
• Demanding or Rude Customers – Even if you’ve witnessed an angry customer first-hand, until you’ve been on the retail employee’s end of things, you don’t know just how exhausting it can be to deal with difficult personalities on a daily or weekly basis. The emotional exhaustion can be impossible to measure!
• Physically Demanding Tasks – Dealing with demanding customers is one thing, but often, retail jobs include demanding physical tasks such as standing for long periods of time, lifting heavy products, and working extensively with your hands. This can all cause exhaustion and added stress.
• Low Wages and Limited Benefits – For those who work for low pay and little to no benefits, the constant financial strain can lead to chronic stress. It might even cause health issues if it’s preventing you from seeking medical care.
• Job Security Anxiety – Low wages and limited benefits are bad enough, but the notion of being expendable and let go at a moment’s notice can also be incredibly stress-provoking for retailers.

Does Dental Assisting Have the Same Draining Effect?

Dental assisting offers a structured, professional work environment with regular hours and real opportunities for growth, among other exciting benefits and changes in pace – it’s a completely different experience and vibe than working in retail! Instead of managing customer complaints, you’re helping patients and working alongside a supportive dental team. Plus, dental assistants are highly valued for their skills, and their work is both meaningful and rewarding.

In fact, many people who switch from retail to dental assisting find that their stress levels decrease, their self-confidence improves, and they finally feel like they have a meaningful career they can grow and flourish in. If you’re ready to leave the stress of retail behind and start a more fulfilling and mentally healthy career, dental assisting could be the change you need!

About the NE Dental Academy

The team here at the NE Dental Academy has been helping hopeful dental assistants in the Worcester community and surrounding area for several years, and we’d be more than happy to help you kick off your exciting new career! Better yet, we can assure you that our programs are made to be as streamlined, convenient, and stress-free as possible. If you have any questions or you’d like to get in touch with our team to request enrollment information, please reach out online or call today for assistance. Telephone: (508) 392-5314.