Occasional Overtime When Patient Treatment Cannot Safely Stop
Occasional Overtime When Patient Treatment Cannot Safely Stop - Version 2026.04.30
At Toothie, we aim to run our clinic efficiently and respect scheduled working hours.
However, because we work in healthcare, there are occasions where patient treatment cannot safely stop exactly at closing time.
Examples may include:
• a procedure that is still in progress and must be completed safely
• a patient experiencing pain or distress requiring continued treatment
• a clinical situation where stopping midway would be unsafe or inappropriate
• delays earlier in the day affecting treatment flow
In such situations, the assisting team may be required to remain until the patient’s care is safely completed.
What This Means for the Dental Assistant Role
Although the clinic has standard operating hours and scheduled shift times, the Dental Assistant role may occasionally require staying beyond scheduled finishing time when:
• the dentist is still actively treating a patient, and
• your assistance is needed to complete the case safely.
This may result in occasional overtime.
Overtime Payment
Where overtime is applicable and approved, overtime will be paid in accordance with applicable Malaysian law and the employment contract.
This is not unpaid additional work.
Why We Explain This During Recruitment
We believe applicants should understand early that healthcare work does not always end exactly at the scheduled closing time.
Because Dental Assistants play a direct role in patient care and treatment support, leaving before treatment is safely completed may not always be possible.
We therefore encourage applicants to consider honestly whether occasional overtime of this nature is realistic for their schedule and commitments.
Fixed Commitments and Scheduling Reality
We understand that applicants may have genuine outside commitments.
Where relevant, applicants may be asked to indicate any known limitations on staying back after normal working hours so that the clinic can assess whether the scheduling expectations of the role are realistically compatible.
Examples may include:
• latest time you can reasonably stay back
• number of days per week you can stay later if needed
• days where you usually cannot stay back at all
This helps both the applicant and clinic assess fit realistically before employment begins.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Does this mean I will work overtime every day?
No. Overtime is occasional and depends on actual clinical circumstances.
2. Can I leave exactly at closing time if my shift has ended?
Not always. If patient treatment is still in progress and your assistance is required to complete the case safely, you may be required to remain until the case is completed.
3. Why can’t treatment simply stop at closing time?
Some procedures cannot be safely paused midway without affecting patient care, comfort, or clinical outcome.
4. Will overtime be paid?
Where applicable and approved, overtime will be paid in accordance with applicable law and your employment contract.
5. What if I have commitments after work?
We understand that many people have outside responsibilities.
However, because occasional overtime is part of the practical reality of clinical work, applicants should consider whether this requirement is realistically manageable for them before proceeding.
6. Can Toothie remove overtime from this role?
No. Because patient treatment may occasionally extend beyond scheduled hours, the possibility of overtime cannot be completely removed from this role.
At Toothie, we aim to run our clinic efficiently and respect scheduled working hours.
However, because we work in healthcare, there are occasions where patient treatment cannot safely stop exactly at closing time.
Examples may include:
• a procedure that is still in progress and must be completed safely
• a patient experiencing pain or distress requiring continued treatment
• a clinical situation where stopping midway would be unsafe or inappropriate
• delays earlier in the day affecting treatment flow
In such situations, the assisting team may be required to remain until the patient’s care is safely completed.
What This Means for the Dental Assistant Role
Although the clinic has standard operating hours and scheduled shift times, the Dental Assistant role may occasionally require staying beyond scheduled finishing time when:
• the dentist is still actively treating a patient, and
• your assistance is needed to complete the case safely.
This may result in occasional overtime.
Overtime Payment
Where overtime is applicable and approved, overtime will be paid in accordance with applicable Malaysian law and the employment contract.
This is not unpaid additional work.
Why We Explain This During Recruitment
We believe applicants should understand early that healthcare work does not always end exactly at the scheduled closing time.
Because Dental Assistants play a direct role in patient care and treatment support, leaving before treatment is safely completed may not always be possible.
We therefore encourage applicants to consider honestly whether occasional overtime of this nature is realistic for their schedule and commitments.
Fixed Commitments and Scheduling Reality
We understand that applicants may have genuine outside commitments.
Where relevant, applicants may be asked to indicate any known limitations on staying back after normal working hours so that the clinic can assess whether the scheduling expectations of the role are realistically compatible.
Examples may include:
• latest time you can reasonably stay back
• number of days per week you can stay later if needed
• days where you usually cannot stay back at all
This helps both the applicant and clinic assess fit realistically before employment begins.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Does this mean I will work overtime every day?
No. Overtime is occasional and depends on actual clinical circumstances.
2. Can I leave exactly at closing time if my shift has ended?
Not always. If patient treatment is still in progress and your assistance is required to complete the case safely, you may be required to remain until the case is completed.
3. Why can’t treatment simply stop at closing time?
Some procedures cannot be safely paused midway without affecting patient care, comfort, or clinical outcome.
4. Will overtime be paid?
Where applicable and approved, overtime will be paid in accordance with applicable law and your employment contract.
5. What if I have commitments after work?
We understand that many people have outside responsibilities.
However, because occasional overtime is part of the practical reality of clinical work, applicants should consider whether this requirement is realistically manageable for them before proceeding.
6. Can Toothie remove overtime from this role?
No. Because patient treatment may occasionally extend beyond scheduled hours, the possibility of overtime cannot be completely removed from this role.
