Coming back to the dental practice after a long period of sick leave can be daunting – Sarah McKimm shares her advice for easing the transition back to work.
The scenario
I’m a dental nurse due to return to work in a couple of weeks after being off on extended sick leave, and honestly I’m more nervous than I expected to be.
I’ve been away from the practice for several months due to a health issue that really knocked me off my feet – both physically and mentally. I’m recovering now and cleared to come back, but the thought of walking back into that surgery fills me with anxiety.
Part of me worries I’ll have forgotten things, or that I won’t be able to keep up. Dentistry moves fast and I’ve heard from my colleagues that there have been new staff members hired and small changes to our processes.
It’s not just about the practical side of things too. I’m constantly wondering if people think I was off too long and if they will see and treat me differently.
I’ve always taken pride in being reliable, capable, and calm under pressure. But right now, I feel vulnerable and unsure of myself, which isn’t very compatible with the demands of dental nursing.
I want to do well. I want to rebuild my confidence. But I’m afraid I’m just not up to it anymore. Do you have any advice on how to get through the first few days back?
What is Chairside Chats?
Sarah McKimm is a qualified counsellor with more than 20 years of experience in the dental profession. She is here to offer a space where dental professionals can explore the human side of dentistry together, looking at what’s behind the mask through a unique perspective.
Each month, she will take a question from one of you and explore it with care, compassion, and insight. Drawing on her dual background as a counsellor and experience as a dental professional, she aims to provide empathic, non-judgmental responses tailored to the struggles faced in this field.
While she can’t offer counselling here (or replace professional support where it’s needed), she hopes to share some practical tips, professional insights and coping strategies.
Sarah’s reply
Hello reader,
Thank you for sharing your challenges. I’m here to help you view this situation differently with a hope to be able to manage those first few days with more ease.
First, I want to acknowledge your feelings and say that the anxiety you’re feeling is entirely normal. Anxiety before a return like this is not a sign that you’re not ready, it’s a sign you’ve been through something big and your body is trying to protect and alert you. Those nerves are your system’s way of saying, ‘This matters to me.’
After being away from work for a significant amount of time, especially due to a health issue, it’s no wonder your mind and body feel a bit shaky about stepping back into the surgery. You’ve been through something that’s impacted you physically and mentally. Your nervous system has taken a hit, and it’s going to need time, patience, and care to find its rhythm again.
Getting your confidence back
You mentioned feeling worried you might have forgotten things. That’s a common fear. Skills often return quickly, but taking proactive steps before your first day can be helpful.
Could you refresh yourself on your practice’s policies and procedures? Perhaps do a short CPD course to brush up on areas you feel less confident in? Even a couple of hours of revision can help your brain switch back into ‘work mode’.
If possible, speak to your practice manager about a phased return. This could mean shorter days or fewer shifts at first, giving you time to rebuild stamina. You might shadow another nurse or work with a familiar clinician for a few sessions while your confidence grows.
Reception duties or non-clinical tasks could also help you ease in gradually while still being part of the team.
Lean on your team
Consider whether there’s a supportive colleague you can check in with if you feel overwhelmed. Having someone who knows your situation and can offer a quick grounding chat can make all the difference.
And if you can, maybe pop into the practice before your official first day. Say hello to the new team members, familiarise yourself with any changes, so your return feels less like jumping into the deep end.
It’s natural to wonder what colleagues think about your time off. But you can’t control their thoughts. What you can do is work with your own feelings about it. Often, we judge ourselves far more harshly than others do.
You’re carrying vulnerability right now, but you’re also still capable, reliable, and calm under pressure. Those qualities haven’t disappeared – they’ve just taken a backseat for now.
You said, ‘I want to do well. I want to rebuild my confidence.’ I hear the drive in that. But maybe this isn’t just about ‘getting back’ to who you were before. Maybe it’s about discovering who you are now – post-illness, with the wisdom and resilience you’ve gained from getting through it. What would it take for you to feel safe and grounded in this next chapter?
Try using ‘I’ statements when you talk to your team: ‘I feel a bit nervous and may need extra support in the first week’, or ‘I’m working on rebuilding my stamina, so I might take a short break after each session’. This opens the door for understanding and support.
Coping techniques
You might also want to explore techniques to help regulate your nervous system.
- The 4-5-6 breath technique: inhale for four seconds, hold for five, exhale for six – this helps calm the body’s stress response
- Grounding technique: notice five things you can see, four you can touch, three you can hear, two you can smell, and one you can taste
- Mindfulness practices: even five minutes a day can improve focus, mood, and clarity.
If your practice offers an Employee Assistance Programme (EAP), now is the time to use it – confidential counselling or wellbeing support can give you an extra layer of reassurance.
Most importantly, show yourself empathy. You’ve been knocked off your feet, and now you’re finding your way back to stability, safety, and routine. This is a process, not a test you can fail. All your feelings can exist together. You can be nervous and capable. Vulnerable and strong. Unsure and ready to begin again.
When you step back into that surgery, you’re not the same person who left. You’re someone who has faced difficulty, taken the time to heal, and is now choosing to show up again. That is something to be proud of.
Take gentle care,
Sarah
Catch up with more Chairside Chat articles here:
- My employee’s personal life is impacting my dental business
- How do I stay relevant when the dental profession is changing so fast?
- I need time off dentistry but I don’t know how to ask for it
- A patient reported me to the GDC – I feel betrayed and confused
- Workplace bullying in dentistry: ‘I’m being targeted by senior staff – but I’m scared to report it’
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