Student loans quietly shape many of the biggest decisions in a dentist’s life: where we work, how much we work and when we feel financially ready to buy a home or start a family. Yet repayment and forgiveness rules are complex, constantly changing and easy to postpone dealing with. For me, postponing wasn’t an option. As a father… Read More »
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 »
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 »
Graduating from dental school feels like a big finish, but as new dentists, we soon realize it’s really just the starting line for everything we still have to learn. Transitioning from student dentist to doctor is exciting, but it can also feel overwhelming. Suddenly, every decision is yours, every case matters and the learning curve feels steeper than… Read More »
In the competitive world of dentistry, the pressure to excel can often lead to feelings of inadequacy and self-doubt. Imposter syndrome, characterized by persistent feelings of being a fraud despite evidence of success, is a common hurdle that many dentists face on their professional journey. Unfortunately, these feelings can hold back talented individuals from reaching their full potential,… Read More »
A majority of dental graduates today are women, yet there’s not a lot of guidance on pregnancy-related modifications in dentistry. The emotional and physical toll pregnancy takes on a woman is very demanding. It affects the way we approach our practices and also our careers. Why do we not talk about this more often? Maybe some of it… Read More »