Delivering high-quality dentistry in underserved communities: Leadership lessons beyond the operatory

Photo of Kaushal Shah, D.M.D.

Dentistry is often described as a profession of precision — margins measured in microns, exact angulations, ideal outcomes. But in underserved communities, I learned quickly that precision alone is not enough. Leadership, resilience and responsibility often matter just as much as technical skill, sometimes more. One of the most formative experiences of my career was working in a… Read More »

Sweeter with time, my path to dentistry

Photo of Max Butler, D.D.S.

“Become a dentist? Boring, I would rather be an astronaut. They’re way cooler.” That was my reaction as a 12-year-old when my dad suggested I shadow a local dentist. I had no family in the profession and barely knew what dentistry really was. But over the years, I discovered it was a great, if not perfect, path for… Read More »

Alignment, fulfillment and purpose: Volunteering for you

Photo of Dr. Ghorbanifarajzadeh presenting at SmileCon

Feeling overwhelmed and overstimulated? Doom scrolling not giving you the sense of purpose you thought it would? In today’s world, volunteering offers something truly rare: a moment to pause, connect and make a meaningful impact — in a way an app can’t. While most people think of volunteering as something that benefits the community, the truth is that… Read More »

When the hand shakes: How dentists can lead through uncertainty, not just precision

Photo of Muhalab Al Sammarraie, D.D.S.

“I was holding the mirror with one hand, and my breath with the other.” It wasn’t the first time I performed that procedure. But that day, everything felt off. The patient was anxious. The assistant wasn’t in sync. The impression failed, and so did the rhythm I usually trust. My hand didn’t tremble, but inside, I did. That… Read More »

How to make clinical decisions

Photo of Dr. Butler and family

Forming my own opinions about how to practice dentistry has been challenging for me after dental school. How do I build my own views when more experienced dentists disagree? I’m sure you have seen this in your own work so far, no matter how new you may be. The decisions are everywhere: amalgam vs. composite, when to crown,… Read More »

Put your oxygen mask on first: How I care for myself to care for others

Photo of Annie Koehne, D.M.D.

A metaphor I have heard all too often when discussing the stressors of the dental field is the reiteration of the pre-flight announcement, “You have to put your oxygen mask on first before helping others.” While that metaphor has validity, the reality is that it is difficult to put ourselves first. We, as dental professionals, provide constant care… Read More »