Productivity with ADHD: 3 tips to help dental clinicians manage their ADHD

Do you start your day feeling overwhelmed while you try to set up your tray, open your computer, review your charts, and pull on your lab jacket, all at the same time? I start to malfunction at that point. I literally stop where I’m standing and look around, trying to figure out what to do first when I feel like a human that is glitching. I know many individuals with ADHD can relate to this strange phenomenon. 

I was diagnosed with ADHD later than many people, learning that I had it when I was in my 30s, but it had long been suspected. My symptoms made it difficult for me to concentrate and learn throughout my life. I believed so many falsehoods about myself, such as I was lazy or I wasn’t smart enough.

Once you pinpoint the telltale signs of ADHD, you can begin to work your life in a different and more successful direction. I’ve found that many of my shall we say “nuances” that leak into my daily clinical work made me the provider I am today, but not without some compromises. 

Allow me to share a few tips I’ve learned over the years to manage my ADHD in the clinical setting and provide exceptional patient care. All my tips have been through my own trial and error. As with many circumstances in life, there’s no black and white answer to this very grey topic—the ADHD brain—so give yourself some grace!

Here are my three tips for dealing with ADHD while working as a clinician in dental practice.

Prepare for your day in the dental office

As many people with ADHD experience, we are easily overwhelmed, which naturally leads to anxiety and eventual shutdown. There are many ways to break down a task and make it manageable, but the prep work behind it will set you up for success.

Having your charts prepped in advance, trays made, operatory stocked, and scrubs cleaned will start your day off with ease. When you feel ready for the day it seems less daunting, your brain can function clearly, and the day will run smoother. There are many techniques, such as the Pomodoro Technique, to lay out a plan to accomplish organized planning. This technique is a time management tool that helps you stay focused by breaking down your work into intervals.¹ Finding the right organization and preparation technique is crucial to clinical work.

Write down information you need for the clinical day

This may seem simple or even arbitrary, but with the ADHD brain going a million miles a minute, the cold hard facts can be difficult to retain or recall. Bring a journal, notebook, planner, or iPad with you to any meetings or events where it’s important for you to remember what’s said. Note-taking helps your brain connect the auditory verbiage to the written word. Whether you’re a visual, hands-on, or auditory learner, this will give you a reference to review when information becomes too much at one time.

I often tell patients I’ll grab them a sample of something or write down a recommendation and then forget almost instantly … ADHD at its best folks. Writing down in that moment what I need to grab or write down for the patient helps me remember what I told the patient. This can also be done during your exams when the doctor is spouting off a bunch of surfaces and treatments and your brain can’t keep up. You can always use a barrier tape to wrap your pen and wipe it after.

Prioritize moving around during the clinical day

Research shows a strong connection between exercise and improved cognitive function in individuals with ADHD. Studies have found when exercise is combined with other strategies for ADHD management, it is helpful to the individual.2

My favorite way to achieve this during a long clinical day is to take a lunchtime walk. Stay with me here—I know not all offices, schedules, and days are set up for this kind of break. Living in Colorado, I know an outdoor walk is not doable at least five months out of the year, but since movement is key, I’ve found other avenues. My favorite is an outdoor walk, and sunshine is important for vitamin D. So, when possible, this is my favorite choice.

In the winter months and on rainy days, I find walking through the office, taking the stairs a few times, and just doing some stretches gets my blood flowing and increases my mood. 

We all have different ways of handling our ADHD. Some people who struggle with severe forms of the condition find even daily tasks are hard to achieve. Medication for ADHD may be considered taboo by some, but life-changing for others, and we should never judge the paths others choose.

Trial and error are key to finding your way toward less anxiety and fewer stressful days as a dental hygienist. I like the analogy of being given a bunch of tools, imagining every scaler and curette ever made, then making your own toolkit with exactly what works for you. You are your own guide through life and your career, and I hope my tips help lead to less burnout and smoother sailing in your dental career. 

References

1. Team AE. How to study efficiently with ADHD: 7 tips to boost focus and motivation. Attention Deficit Disorder Association. August 30, 2023. https://add.org/tips-for-studying-with-adhd/

2. Berwid OG, Halperin JM. Emerging support for a role of exercise in attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder intervention planning. Curr Psych Rep. 2021;14(5):543-551. doi:10.1007/s11920-012-0297-4