I hear it all the time: “Where do you find the time to be so involved in organized dentistry as a new dentist?” My response: “I am not alone!” I am the chair this year of the ADA New Dentist Committee, and we are a group of 17 dentists, 10 years out of dental school or less, who… Read More »
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 »
“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 »
What makes one dentist command a room while another, equally skilled, struggles to be heard? It’s not always about knowledge, and it’s certainly not about volume. In today’s dental world, leadership is increasingly measured by our ability to communicate clearly, calmly and intentionally. Whether it’s a treatment plan, a team meeting or a high-stakes conversation with a colleague… Read More »
Think of a time you hesitated to speak up — a patient questioning your treatment plan, a teammate missing a deadline, a colleague pushing back. We’ve all been there. How we respond shapes our teams, our leadership and the mark we leave in dentistry. These moments — explaining a procedure, guiding a team or easing a patient’s fear… Read More »
When supermarket aisles were first taped and marked with unidirectional arrows to avoid crowd-crossing during the COVID-19 pandemic, I turned into an aisle without taking notice. An elderly woman bursted in my face: “You went the wrong way; I don’t know if you are sick!” Caught unexpectedly, I was shocked and angry and then realized that my Asian… Read More »