Burnout Account: Jessica Carbaugh - Public Health Dental Hygiene Practitioner, Registered Dental Hygienist

Jessica Carbaugh and Her Family

"My burnt-out feeling was a slow burn each and every day but when the fire ignited was when I no longer felt confident enough, when I no longer felt like an asset to the team anymore. When you’re told you can’t do something that another hygienist can but yet you hold the same degree. That day I became no longer burnt out I became enraged with fire. After that fire though became depression, sadness, and lack of confidence thinking to myself maybe I’m not good enough, maybe just maybe he’s right..maybe I am not meant to do this..is it me? Am I not good enough? 12 years of pouring myself into a career that has no room for advancement, no respect as a licensed professional, no benefits or yearly raises, body aches, stress, outrageous student loans, and anxiety all for what? No paycheck is worth your mental health, I was put into a position where I was made to feel as if I wasn’t good enough to do something that I poured my heart into for over a decade, something that I never thought I’d walk away from after all those endless nights I stayed up studying in hygiene school, continually telling myself then to just get thru this schooling it’ll be the best thing to happen for myself, make something of myself, help others and I believe I did help others, I made relationships with people I wouldn’t otherwise have been able to do so outside of the practice and I believe everyone comes into your life for a reason, no matter how long or short that person is there it happens for a reason. I never had an ability to stand up for myself which I hate because it’s something I instill in my kids every day, but I had a sense of pride and self-worth that day something came over me and I stood up for myself and I knew deep down this is it… this is the end it’s time to move on. That’s exactly what I did, I moved on. I still have a passion for dentistry, and always will, just in a different aspect. I am still on a journey of finding my newfound self and career but I know once it’s the right decision for me something will come over me just like it did that day when I knew I was worth more, that same feeling I’ll get when I find myself and newfound career again."