The dark days of dentistry

By | July 31, 2017

You want to know a secret?

Sometimes I don’t want to go to work. . . Sometimes I don’t want to pull that tooth or make that denture or place that composite.

Dr. Vaughn

Dr. Vaughn

Sometimes . . . I don’t want to do dentistry at all.

But if you’re a practicing dentist reading this right now, you know full well that this is no secret. That this happens to everyone. And if it hasn’t happened, have no doubt that it will.

I’ve been out of school two years now. And while that’s not near long enough to develop a solid practice philosophy or to really figure out where my place is in the profession, it’s plenty long enough to have a few of those dark days.

What am I talking about?

I’m talking about backaches, headaches, handaches. I’m talking about patients that don’t like me. Patients that I don’t like back. Procedures that make me sweat that shouldn’t make me sweat.

Just yesterday, my arm spasmed and locked up during an extraction of a single rooted premolar. I couldn’t believe it. And what’s worse is that it happened minutes after so confidently telling the patient that “this will only take a minute.”

And then there’s the stories you hear from your colleagues. Oh those stories! Anything you can possibly imagine – the worst of the worst – and I bet it’s happening in a dental office somewhere in America right now: insurance fraud, verbal abuse of staff, overtreating patients, undertreating patients, and every sort of treating in between. Condemning our entire ethical handbook one code at a time.

Many of us have heard stories of associate dentists being taken advantage of. New dentists are particularly vulnerable here. I’ve heard of new dentists having all of their preps checked. Of being told they can only do hygiene. Of being hired on and then not even being paid because the practice was actually a sinking ship.

“Well why don’t they just look for a new job then?!”

Sounds easy doesn’t it? Just go get a new job.

Go ahead. Dive into that black sea of classified ads looking for an associate who “is willing to work nights and weekends” and “is proficient at molar endo and impacted third molars.” Ads that make magnificent claims about their 5-star practice that end up being worth no more than the paper the ad was printed on.

It’s tough out there. I’ve sat in interviews that have made my gut turn. I’ve been told that I’d “have to burn a few bridges to work here.” Or that “no vacation time is allowed your first two years.” And what’s worse is that most of these only want you two days a week. So if you want to pay the bills (and chip away at your half-million-dollars in debt), you accept the offer and then go right back to the job hunt to find a second mediocre job that hopefully won’t conflict with the first one.

You see. . .the fairy tales I heard growing up of how great of a profession dentistry was, have many times turned out to be just that. . . fairy tales.

But one thing I know for sure, is that fairy tales have silver linings and morals and lessons they aim to teach. And so do the dark days of dentistry.

What I’ve learned is that these days don’t last forever. The pain is only temporary. And if we’re able to stay motivated and get through them, the clouds will certainly pass.

I don’t talk about the dark days because I enjoy them. I talk about them because it’s an unfortunate but concrete reality. The stories above are all real and completely free of exaggeration. Those are our new dentist peers out there living these stories every day. And so to not talk about them and pretend they don’t happen is to create false security in who we are as professionals.

Dentistry is not exempt from the terrible, horrible, no good, very bad days.

There will be days where you want to give up. There will be days where the stresses seem to be too much. But don’t let them overcome you. Find an outlet. Vent your frustrations, and be free of them.

Because one day you will find that perfect job. You will pay off that monstrous debt. You will find your place in this profession that you’ve been working so hard for your whole life.

And when that does eventually happen. When you find your place. Don’t forget who you were and where you came from and all those struggles you faced in your early days. And when the tables turn and you are the owner dentist interviewing a bright-eyed, naive new dentist. . .

Remember that the dark days are real, and that this new dentist may very well be in the thick of them.

For information on staying well in the dental profession, visit ADA Center for Professional Success.

Dr. Joe Vaughn is a New Dentist Now guest blogger and a member of the American Dental Association. He grew up in Alabama and recently graduated from The University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Dentistry in 2015. He now lives in Seattle, Washington, and works at Neighborcare Health, a community health center in Seattle. Two cups of coffee, writing and indie music are everyday occurrences for Joe. Go Seahawks and Roll Tide!

114 thoughts on “The dark days of dentistry

  1. Pingback: The dark days of dentistry - DENTAL COUNTRY

    1. LAURIE GERHARDT

      What about the patient who half way through procedure ( dentures paid for) gets a call from dental office saying her fresh out of school dentist quit his job and moved up north?
      Signed, PIssed

      Reply
    2. Gary

      Really? Boo hoo. Typical article from a new doc that believes the world owes them an easy life. Be happy you have the education and ability to have a job. Time to grow up…. The only dark days are the ones you decide not to make brighter. Quit giving ammo to new grads so they can justify feeling sorry for themselves and complaining.

      Reply
      1. Michael W Davis, DDS

        IMHO- Gary’s comments read like an entity (maybe not even a single person?) which makes its money off the labor of others. And, I mean hardcore labor. That might be the ownership of a West Virginia coal mining town, a South Carolina mill town, the land ownership for itinerant sharecroppers in central Mississippi, or DSO management.

        The idea is simple. Extract the most out of the human population, & give the very least. Churn ’em and burn ’em. Private equity has re-embraced the culture & ethics of the Robber Barons circa 1900. The DSO industry is just one more manifestation w/in our modern era.

        Michael W Davis, DDS
        Santa Fe, NM

        Reply
        1. Stephanie C Vandyne DDS FACD

          I totally agree, our profession is being over taken by the private equity masters who believe that dentistry is some sort of retail operation….. that can simply offer dental care as if it were Walmart.

          Our profession is relationship based and we owe it to our patients and staff to provide conscientious care at a reasonable fee.

          Please keep writing comments. I have 35 years in dentistry and it has been a fantastic profession.
          I love it . New dentists have it hard right now with debt and tons of DSOs operating outside the ethical boundaries.
          Stay vigilant. Keep our professional lives intact. Protest the status quo and keep providing superior relationship based care!!

          Reply
      2. Eric R

        Gary — Your comments are repulsive. At first I was going to argue the position that Dr Vaughn was making, but frankly, you are not worth the effort.

        Reply
      3. Frank

        No offense Gary, but you were ‘spoiled’ with low debt and a less saturated work force. Granted, these kids still chose the profession, but you definitely did have it easier. If you look at the data, dentistry is more challenging than it used to be… that’s not something you can really argue with.

        Do your homework, get some perspective.

        Reply
      4. Max

        Like most things, the irony of complaining about complaining is lost on Gary

        Reply
  2. DR ROBERT ALLEN

    MY FIRST PATIENT WAS SEEN IN THE CLINIC AT VCU IN 1953; MY LAST WAS SEEN A MONTH AGO. I COMPLETED SUCCESSFUL 60 YEARS OF ACTIVE GENERAL PRACTICE. THERE WILL BE A FEW BUMPS IN THE ROAD–THERE ARE WITH EVERYONE.

    I NEVER HAD THE FEELING I DID NOT WANT TO GO INTO WORK. AT AGE 83, I DECIDED IT WAS TIME FOR YOUR GENERATION. I AM STILL ACTIVE IN MY DENTAL SOCIETY ACTIVITIES ( THE ADA & VDA)

    I WISH YOU ALL THE PLEASURE AND SUCCESS THAT I ENJOYED FROM DENTISTRY.

    DR. BOB ALLEN, ADA LIFE MEMBER HAMPTON VA
    .

    Reply
    1. Melissa Rosson

      Dr. Allen, What a legacy! Congratulations!! I’ve been practicing 8 years- to imagine 60 years- what a blessing!

      Reply
    2. Dawgdmd

      As a “green” dentist of 23 years, I am so happy to read your comments. I just recently completed a 400 hour mini residency in surgical implant dentistry and this is what I want to do till I retire 30 years from now.

      This is a wonderful profession. So many opportunities

      Reply
      1. Rbw

        May I ask what mini residency you completed? I’ve been looking around and not sure what implant CE to invest in. Sounds like you really found value in it 🙂

        Thank you!

        Reply
    3. Jared

      Thanks for writing this and for all the other comments. I’ve been working at a community clinic since graduation (since 2016) and have had a great overall experience. No set goals on production or numbers, paid well, loan repayment (put a dent on the 330,000), and a very diverse patient population. With that said, this week in particular, dentistry with its exponential number of fascets/faces that we have to put on take a toll and lead to dark times. This leads to the “fake” face that we have to put on to not show weakness or loss of confidence putting an enormous amount of pressure on our shoulders. Reading this article makes me feel much better that I’m not the only one, so thank you again.
      I do plan on meeting with a local dentist very soon and starting an associateship so we will see how the quickly evolving private practice world.

      Reply
    4. Hamza hina

      Hi
      Can we connect on linkedin or drop me an email at hamzahina@gmail.com.
      I kindly need your consultation regarding dentistry career im intending to start .

      Regards,
      Hamza hina

      Reply
      1. Michael W Davis, DDS

        Dear Hamza,

        Please let me know, how can I be of service? I’m not certain if your questions were for me or Dr. Robert Allen (in VA). Yes, he’s a VERY fine man in ethics & principles. Yes, we know each other. (I’m in NM.)

        Reply
  3. Karen Littleton

    This is why I just bit the bullet and opened up my own practice right out of school. It has its own stresses, but overall not as stressful as what I’ve heard from other dentists. I was able to pay off my loans a lot faster too and that was a major load removed from the stress pile.

    Reply
  4. Stephanie Fransoso

    Wow great article Joe! Thanks for writing about what many people think about and are too afraid to discuss. This article is so relevant but refreshing! As with any job, there will be good days and bad days, trials and triumphs, but in the end, we all need to remember why we chose this fabulous career in the first place. I think its important for us young people to appreciate the distress in moving toward our “ideal job.” Ive been through rough patches as an associate already and Ive realized, not only did I learn so much but Ive grown tremendously. Thanks again for an honest read!
    -Stephanie Fransoso

    Reply
  5. Lew Mitchell,DMD

    Joe, as always, I enjoyed reading your article. Dentistry is hard work and physically demanding and yes there are tough days! But the good days definitely out number the difficult ones and there is immense joy when your services truly transform one’s oral health or transform a patient’s attitude and appreciation for regular preventive care. The personal relationships and friendships are life changing! Thank you, Joe, for sharing your thoughts. The ADA exists to serve its members- in fact the ADA’s mission statement is “Helping All Dentists Succeed”. Please let us know how the ADA can help you and your “New Dentist” colleagues. Take Good Care and Come Home whenever you can! Sincerely, Lew

    Reply
    1. David Sherwin Peterson

      The way the ADA could help is to enforce its code of ethics and promote fee for service dentistry un-manipulated by third parties like “insurance companies” or corporate entities.

      Reply
      1. Richard Shulman

        Boy, you hit the nail right on the head. I pay somewhere around $1,500 every year to the American Dental Association.
        And every year they stand by silently as the dental codes are re- written mostly motivated by insurance company profits.
        New code for child under 3 years old?? New code for extracting “coronal tooth remnants:?
        Codes are added or consolidated with one purpose in mind. Decreased payment by the payer.

        Insurance companies often decide that not only won’t they pay, but sometimes you cannot bill for a filling done less than 5 years ago. As though a filling failure is our fault! The last I recall, if I drive out of a tire store with four brand new tires and run over a nail on my way home, they’re not giving me a new tire for free if I go back to the tire store.

        I’ve been in this for 26 years. The best you can do is to never ever contract with any dental insurance company. And join the ada, but I agree they need to do much much more to protect the freedom to practice without insurance companies financially based interventions

        Reply
        1. Rick N.

          I used to sell dental services in California up until the year 2000. Then, I started a consulting firm to help small business owners, including independent practice dentists.

          After starting the consulting firm and seeing employees select their primary dentist from a dental network book or online, I always wondered why dentists let dental provider networks control how many patients they treat? Then, I figured it out. Dentists do not take business development courses in college or at dental schools.

          Over the last eight years, at here in California, I’m hearing government dental plans like Denti-Cal or Medicaid dental rates are causing practices to shut down or experience severe cashflow issues and profit losses.

          Dentists need to work to find their own clients…not just post signs saying “Now Accepting New Patients”. Stop letting dental insurance companies and governments control your practices.

          Reply
  6. Robert Imagawa

    Organized Dentistry has been asleep on the job. Perhaps, we should have unionized back in the early 70’s. Unquestionably, graduates in business have shifted corporate priorities to profits at the expense of quality products and management. Firstly, tuition and educational debt accumulation shouldered on future workers is an anomaly and insult to traditional social obligations of those who have to give to the have not. This “free marketizing” of tuition and fees was started as a form of social and political censorship born from the disastrous Vietnam War and social upheaval. It is wrong and unnecessary. Furthermore, bigger is not necessarily better. Corporate healthcare payers have dumped their clerical work onto the laps of the doctors. They, thrive on “back-room” diagnostics and patient management for the purpose of controlling costs. In other words, it’s management without the knowledge of what is being managed. The result is that only 40% of dental premiums goes toward patient care. Dentistry is falling by the wayside like yesterday’s pharmacists.
    Are we headed towards a practice in the back of Walmart or Walgreens?

    Reply
    1. James G. Kouzoukian, DDS

      You mean like the profession of optometry? Do you think the DSO’s and corporate entities have this in store for us? Were similar corporate entities successful in relegating the optometrist to the dark dungeon of the back room BEHIND the storefront optician? You bet they were, way back in the 1970’s.

      Reply
    2. Rick N.

      Regarding Walmart comment, the answer is we are already there. Medical doctors took the hit on running private practice offices in the early 2000s. Dentistry’s challenge is many people, especially in California, will remove a tooth for $300 in 2019 before paying $2,000 in preventive treatment over a 10-year period ($200/year) to keep mouth looking good and healthy.

      Reply
    3. Illeana

      Apparently so Robert Imagawa. Here in Georgia, Walmart locations all over metro Atlanta have opened full service dental offices. I’m sure CVS and Walgreens will soon follow.

      Reply
  7. DR ROBERT ALLEN

    Very good discussion; too bad not all dentists take time to look around (on internet). Many of my friends practiced 40+ years and never even ever walked into another dentists office–never walked in anther’s shoes. With the internet we have opportunity to share without guilt what is truly going on in dentistry. Nice to be a part of this discussion.

    Reply
    1. k dds

      Dr. Allen, thank you for your several comments on this article. I have been practicing for 8 years in private practice and in just that time, even I have felt the vicious monster that has become social media destroy the brilliance that is the profession of dentistry. While I have never had a review naming me in it be less than 5 stars (yet!) the thought of a single bad review besmirching my reputation (ie. my person) is a black cloud that follows my every patient conversation and certainly turns my suspicion on every new patient. I feel that the threat of social media retaliation by a disgruntled patient (or worse an ‘anonymous’ disgruntle employee/competitor posing as a patient) who may be angry at having to pay something or having misunderstood about something else is equivalent to being blackmailed. I must now, at ALL times, be OVERLY kind, overly attentive, overly generous with my time and efforts. I am exhausted each and every day leaving the office. I adore my patients, but the thought of one crazy person derailing my reputation makes me shudder. Previous generations of dentists often aren’t even on social media. Their 20 years of patient family followings almost ensures their continued success, even if new patients don’t stay. The new dentist is not only having to do immaculate work, but also feels compelled to pay websites not to publish bad reviews…even if they NEVER ACTUALLY GET LESS THAN 5 STARS.. We have to accept ridiculous insurance fees and ironically pay social media outlets to advertise while at the same time also pay for them to secure our reputation. We get no breaks. What does facebook, twitter, instagram, etc. have to do with dentistry? Dr. Allen, did your office deal with social media and the perils therein? Unfortunately, it’s only getting worse. I love doing dentistry, but the time and financial suck that social media has become is abhorrent and makes me fear the new patient…or the crazy outlier anyway…and in turn, makes me dislike the whole of dentistry.

      Reply
  8. William T Schlosser, DMD

    Truth! I also felt lied to in my early years about what dentistry and being a dentist would be like. Fortunately with Christ and a great spouse, we made it through the lean times. Stay involved in determining dentistry’s future. When I retire I want to be treated like I have treated. Cared for by the decision maker, not an employee at a big box store! I don’t know the answer for the next generation, but these thoughts are with me today: Be sure to live within your means, strive to be debt free, invest in you and your family, enjoy your coworkers or get new ones, help the profession stay independent, find a mentor, and persevere!

    Reply
  9. David Sherwin Peterson

    Dr. Vaughn,
    I understand you! I remember a day that I wanted to quit and I was helped by a seasoned dentist from Salt Lake City named Chuck Foster. He invited me to work with him and some others on the Utah Dental Association’s dental access committee. It is kind of couterintuitive that giving more will help save you attitude about our profession, but it is the answer. In my 26 years of practice I have worked in the US Army as a dentist, started a practice from scratch, as an associate, at an HMO, at a prison, at a developmental center, bought two practices, worked in a potential partnership, shared space with another dentist, and I am getting ready to build out a new space. I have seen good dentists, bad dentists, and just really ugly immoral cheeting dentists. Good dentist are a special and rare breed. Please consider looking around and getting to know great dentists in your area. I know one in your area that would most likely be happy to talk to her. Her name is Amy Norman. She belongs to a group that is meeting in Seattle today trough Sunday at the Hyatt in 8th and Olive in downtown Seattle. The name of the organization is the International College of Cranio and Mandbular Orthopedics or ICCMO. It was started here in Seattle. It is full of good( financially and ethically), caring dentists from all parts of the World. You may consider coming and dropping in. I would love to talk to you and any other dentist who reads this post.
    Your friend
    David

    Reply
    1. William T Schlosser, DMD

      Great point! Giving back in dentistry and other charitable ways is so fulfilling!

      Reply
  10. Larry Stone

    Dear Dr. Vaughn,
    After 43 years into dentistry (not counting dental school) I can relate to your comments and am glad to see
    that someone is talking about the occasional “dark days”. There have been more than a few for me.
    Bear in mind however that US News and World Report just listed Dentistry as the #1 health profession in
    2017 for a reason. As a mentor in the Temple University Kornberg School of Dentistry’s “Mentoring for Life”
    program, I think it is important for young dentists to stay connected to their colleagues both young and
    more experienced. Help is available!
    Best wishes,
    Larry Stone

    Reply
  11. Greg Ogata

    Joe,

    Just wanted to say, nice article! The dark days are real. Even when you “think” you have found your place in world, they still exist. Sorry, but staff issues, health issues and insurance headaches will continue throughout your career, BUT the greatest thing you have done is acknowledge it. Both the mental and the physical stresses (your arm, my stroke) are real, and depression is a real danger, and not just in dentistry. You can see it for what it is, a problem but it can be overcome. It will take hard work but there is light at the end of the tunnel. Study clubs, organized dentistry, teaching and even volunteer dental opportunities (Union Gospel, Mission trips) can all help to support and show that you are not alone in the “dark days”, and actually you’ll get to meet alot of good solid dentist, trying to do their part and help out. Good luck Joe, and know you are not alone in this.

    Reply
  12. Pingback: The Week That Was: July 31-August 4 – MDA … The Week That Was

  13. Lauri Ann

    Dr. Vaughn
    Yes, there will be many dark days ahead of you. I have been practicing for 25 years and there are times I do not want to go into work. And times I dread making another denture crossing my fingers I get a good suction. Or times I take a radiograph and pray the margins are closed on my crown. But I think you are ahead of the game by recognizing that this profession is not for the weak. We take a lot of crap from patient and insurance companies-and yes, it is stressful. But as time goes on you will see the positive outweighs the negative. As long as you put your head down on the pillow at night and know you did the best job you can do for today, that is all you can ask for. And believe me when I tell you, as your practice grows, the love you have for your patients will grow and the good will far outweigh the bad. Make sure you find an outlet that does not involve dentistry and make friends with people who aren’t dentists. You need to have a balance in this profession. I wish you all the best

    Reply
  14. Ramesh

    To avoid this better to start own clinic and make practice. When we start a new clinic we should give attractive offers and best treatment to get good name in the market. Once we get the good name, then you no need to turn back.

    Reply
  15. John Maro

    Joe, I enjoyed reading your article. After practicing for over 30 years, the challenges that you endure each day are the ones we all still encounter. Of all the things I wished that schools would have prepared us better for, is the business of dentistry. I recall many courses in school that could have a had been eliminated and replaced with ways to start and run a small business.

    If I could offer any advice for young dentist, do your self a favor and purchase a good disability policy. The practice of dentistry is physically demanding and over time can lead to many musculoskeletal problems. Many dental professionals have these problems and had to be treated for them, work in pain everyday or leave practice entirely. Insuring your financial and personal future in the profession, is a wise investing decision.

    Dr. John M

    Reply
  16. Lawrence Leong, dds

    All things in life are subject to change, be mindful and strive on.

    Reply
  17. Dr Ellie Nadian

    A dental clinic is a very demanding place. It is hard work. And work never finishes. this include all the staff in a dental clinic not just the dentist. The receptionist, the dental coordinator, assistants, steri nurses… all those infection control procedures, communications, changes in appointments, it is tough. On the other side we help people.
    They walk in with pain and walk out with no pain… it is a great job I think. it is not all dark guys…dentists help people get out of pain…we change people’s lives 🙂

    Reply
  18. Ryan Daniel

    A good blog always comes-up with new and exciting information and while reading I have feel that this blog is really have all those quality that qualify a blog to be a one.

    Reply
    1. DR ROBERT ALLEN

      Hello fellow dentists,

      I want to begin with an apology. Many dentists, young and old, have said some unpleasant things about the kind of practice you have joined.

      The fact is that the dental world is scared. It’s a difficult time to be in private practice. Offices that were once successful now have more open schedules. Dental insurance fees can’t keep pace with the rising cost of doing business. Dentists in the twilight of their careers aren’t retiring, dental schools are expanding their class size, and new dental schools seem to appear out of nowhere; all of which lead to fewer job opportunities. The opportunities that do exist aren’t always so attractive. There are offices that are on the slow side of the technology boom that have yet to adapt digital radiographs and other basic tech that patients have come to expect. Other practices fail to implement basic practice management software to allow us to keep up with the fast pace of business. And then there’s debt. More and more graduating student s discuss figures that are well above $200,000.

      So it’s not hard to imagine why a young dentist would find the large group practice attractive. Modern offices offering full schedules and financial reward? That sounds great! Those who worry that the quality of patient care might suffer would be given pause when they learn what the corporate structure can offer. Many of these offices employ multiple specialists to ensure that patients’ needs are met by those have received appropriate post-graduate training. The highest caliber of continuing education is often provided to employees at little or no cost.

      Another concern stems from the reports of employee dentists being pressured to perform unnecessary or aggressive treatment. However we can argue that kind of distasteful behavior can take place in any practice model. A solo practice owner can hire an associate and attempt to warp their judgement in exactly the same way. I’ve posted before about some of the horror stories associate dentists have experienced.

      And then there is the sweet promise that we won’t have to worry about the complex world of business. No after-hours paperwork and the stress of hiring and firing.

      Yup, the large group practice seems to alleviate many of the burdens of the young dentist. But it is that last point that I’d like to address here.

      All dentists, no matter what the practice model, should understand the basics of business. It may take a few years of study, but we must never lose the knowledge and control of our own practices. When we let someone else run all aspects of our business we lose our independence as health care providers. Look at our cousins in medicine. Both physicians and patients are unhappy with how the system has been changed.

      Sure, some dentists will prefer to remain employees and that’s fine. Ownership isn’t for everyone. But I would be concerned about a growing trend of young dentists who leave all business decisions to a third party. I would be concerned about the “franchise” approach to our profession for the sole reason that can remove our control of our own way of practice.

      So whatever practice model employs you, please continue to ask questions, learn, and assert your opinions on how the office does business. I think there is a place for the corporate model, but we need to maintain our entrepreneurial spirit if we choose to work at that kind of practice. No one is better suited to regulate dentistry than dentists.

      All the best,

      Chris Salierno DDS “THE CURIOUS DENTIST”

      Reply
      1. k dds

        Dr. Allen and Dr. Salierno,
        I posted the following 2 years ago and am posting it again in hopes of receiving a reply from you or perhaps a link to an article that may address similar misgivings…..

        “Dr. Allen, thank you for your several comments on this article. I have been practicing for 8 years in private practice and in just that time, even I have felt the vicious monster that has become social media destroy the brilliance that is the profession of dentistry. While I have never had a review naming me in it be less than 5 stars (yet!) the thought of a single bad review besmirching my reputation (ie. my person) is a black cloud that follows my every patient conversation and certainly turns my suspicion on every new patient. I feel that the threat of social media retaliation by a disgruntled patient (or worse an ‘anonymous’ disgruntle employee/competitor posing as a patient) who may be angry at having to pay something or having misunderstood about something else is equivalent to being blackmailed. I must now, at ALL times, be OVERLY kind, overly attentive, overly generous with my time and efforts. I am exhausted each and every day leaving the office. I adore my patients, but the thought of one crazy person derailing my reputation makes me shudder. Previous generations of dentists often aren’t even on social media. Their 20 years of patient family followings almost ensures their continued success, even if new patients don’t stay. The new dentist is not only having to do immaculate work, but also feels compelled to pay websites not to publish bad reviews…even if they NEVER ACTUALLY GET LESS THAN 5 STARS.. We have to accept ridiculous insurance fees and ironically pay social media outlets to advertise while at the same time also pay for them to secure our reputation. We get no breaks. What does facebook, twitter, instagram, etc. have to do with dentistry? Dr. Allen, did your office deal with social media and the perils therein? Unfortunately, it’s only getting worse. I love doing dentistry, but the time and financial suck that social media has become is abhorrent and makes me fear the new patient…or the crazy outlier anyway…and in turn, makes me dislike the whole of dentistry.”

        As a follow up, as I continue to be an associate, what to do when an endo specialist[s office to which I have referred patients for years, refers a patient to me via a letter addressed to me (though never given to me), but the patient is scheduled with the owner (2 crowns, 2 posts and cores in a patient that will require many other procedures). Confront the owner dentist? assume it was an accident?
        ~k

        Reply
  19. PM

    Read your Disability Policy carefully– chronic conditions like Musculo-skeletal and ergonomic related problems are often not covered. Be prepared . Keep all your documents and consider hiring an attorney to help you file your claim should health problems develop.

    Reply
  20. Dr. Daisy Moore

    I really appreciate your honesty Dr. Vaughn. It happens to anyone, some bad days happens. Every patients hates you, that’s the reality not because you are bad person but the procedure itself. Dentist plays a big rule specially for children to encourage them to visit the Dentist at least twice a year.

    From: southlake dentist

    Reply
  21. Winn

    Yea, and feeling much the same. Half a mill of debt, a good portion of my free time dedicated to pain management like yoga or massage. My closest classmates who are now spread in different cities all say the same. Admittedly, I barely make ends meet by the end of the month with my loan debt, rent, and other debts like insurances and what not; I’m driving a 10 year old car because the thought of adding more debt is daunting right now. I’m glad I did a residency because I learned a lot but it was nerve wracking watching my interest accrue on my loans because residency barely paid enough for rent. I don’t even know how California graduates do it—they have to take personal loans during dental school for living expenses…I can’t even.

    Meanwhile, before my current job, I worked across different settings and was disillusioned at my older colleague. This is just a snapshot of what I witnessed across the various settings during my first year out:
    a.) dentist doing shitty work for corporation in order to produce to the standard of their corporation—a company sent me for a day to shadow their top producer so I can observe how he produces and welp, I saw them deliver bridges with giant marginal deficiencies and caries excavate leading to nerve exposures with no mention to the such to the patient just went ahead and filled it sans pulp cap…another practitioner for the same company was so overwhelmed and overworked that they literally collapsed of exhaustion in the middle of a work day.

    b.) Owner of practice doing shotty work, scams insurance at the benefit of working less—I caught multiple cases where he billed class IIs for class Is and left interprox caries because who has time to place a matrix band? same person did a bad root canal which 3 weeks later when the patient returned in pain, they extracted the tooth, cut off the apex, and retreated the rest of the root out of the mouth, then reimplanted it because it was better than refunding her money that she paid for rct + crown, and deducted from the advance payment she made on the crown towards the extraction of tooth (which was still in her mouth); did not return the rest of the money for the crown she never got; instead told her it would remain on the account for when they do the crown (patient was elderly and paying cash)—3 weeks later patient continued to seek pain relief, got Cdiff from being on so many antibiotics from him and her physician. I saw her once, 4 days after that ridiculous procedure had been done; she had a swelling on the gingiva and I offered her two options: 1.) I would remove the tooth and make her a temp partial (it was #9) 2.) have her f/u with him in a week as planned—she chose #2 because she honestly trusted him; I quit within a few days. I left disappointed that a seemingly successful practice was based on shady practices.

    3.) I’ve also worked in public health where some think the patients they serve don’t deserve cell phones so why provide standard-of-care dentistry (Tell me if you’ve ever heard this one: “they have a nicer phone than me!”). One clinic does comprehensive exams but then only offers extractions and refers to private practice for routine fillings—why even do a comp exam? Also, some of these places think that someone receiving cheap treatment should expect to wait 3-hours, so their patient check-in process takes 30-45 minutes and the dentist don’t have any control over it.

    I hope I can find a way to serve patients ethically and maintain science base practices while still having the time to take care of myself and pay off my loans before I’m 60. At this time that means being patient with the 45-minute check-in process and being ok with patients being upset because the wait is so long. As much as I want to have my own practice, the thought of adding more debt is daunting. It’s too bad that few opportunistic bad seeds have created bad practices and the culture has spread. I was once told that the dentist owner of well-known corporation said early in his career that his goal is to do “with dentistry what McDonald’s did for the food industry.”

    Reply
    1. Dr. Zina Berry

      I’m so disappointed in our profession that practice well below the standards of care. I can assure you that will catch up to them. Im glad to hear that you removed yourself and able to practice with ethics. Continue on and you will be successful.

      Reply
  22. Michael W Davis, DDS

    Dear Winn,

    As an old geezer dentist, all I can do is validate your experiences. If anything, you’ve understated the problems.

    Other than the North Carolina dental board, tell me one state board, which has truly stood up to corporate dentistry abuses. (Loooooong pause) Okay, tell me what happens when dental school faculty tell the truth to students about corporate dentistry. (Remember the legal action for bogus defamation against 4 U/CO dental school professors?)

    Was your school flooded w/ DSO recruiters, on senior recruitment day? Ever wonder why w/ the current glut of dentists on the employment market, why many DSOs are forced to attract lesser skilled (& lesser legal & business acumen) recent grads? (Oh, you learned that hard lesson first-hand.)

    Do you wonder why organized dentistry maintains a “neutral” position w/ corporate dentistry, & enjoys their revenues from doctor employment ads? If you attend a professional meeting held by organized dentistry, are you curious about the degree of meeting sponsorship by corporate dentistry?

    Yes, in the dental profession, we’ve elected to eat our young. We graduate far too many doctors, w/ WAY too much debt, & place them in horrific employment situations. It’s a modern version of indenture servitude.

    In fact, certain persons in leadership w/in organized dentistry have down upon me for exposing the corruption w/in the DSO industry & at numbers of FQHCs. Why? They contend exposing the fraud & abuses hurts employment options for junior colleagues. We’ve forced young colleagues into being complicit in criminal & civil fraud, & it’s ME that needs to shut up. LOL! (Yeah, that’s their twisted logic.)

    Winn, you & your generation of doctors has been sold out at the highest levels of the dental profession. That included organized dentistry, state regulators, and academia. It sickens me. I truly wish I could do more. My heart is w/ you.

    Michael W Davis, DDS
    Santa Fe, NM

    Reply
    1. Robert. Allen

      Thank. You. Dr. Davis. For. Faithfully. Exposing. So. Many. Shortcomings
      In. Dental. Leadeship

      Reply
  23. Pingback: New Dentist Now blog post wins silver at EXCEL Awards – New Dentist Blog

  24. Javed Kassis

    Wow, extraordinary article. A debt of gratitude is in order for expounding on what numerous individuals think about and are excessively anxious, making it impossible to examine. This article is so applicable yet invigorating! Similarly, as with any activity, there will be great days and terrible days, preliminaries and triumphs, however, at last, we as a whole need to recollect why we picked this breathtaking vocation in any case.

    Reply
  25. TJ

    You stated truths that many will not admit to. I thought once I graduated from dental school and completing a residency finding a job would be easy. Nope! It’s not easy. Dentists may have to try multiple work environments & clinics before figuring out what suits them. . I enjoyed this article and I am glad you acknowledged issues many dentists face but few speak on.

    Reply
  26. Anne

    Is it legal for a dentist to work on a patient without a dental assistant present?

    Reply
      1. SB

        Unlikely but I suppose it depends on the state laws. Dental schools don’t have assistants for every dental student and residents so they’re usually are doing work on their own. It’s a liability for the dentist since then there are no witnesses in case the patient later claims something occurred; when it comes to treatment, it’s usually safer to have an assistant but I have never seen a state where it is required by law.

        Reply
  27. Tony A.

    I am not a dentist. I do find it interesting that what dentist say about their trade is almost exactly what could be said about most trades other than the debt reward ratios. It seems the capitalist have not left one stone unturned and contiune to make sure they squezze every penney out of every transaction and deposit it in the 1 percent pocket. As long as we think we are one better than the next guy we will continue to serve the 1 percent thinking we serve ourselfs.

    Reply
  28. Joe Schmo

    Dental school itself is miserable in so many ways while students are coming out less experienced due to increasing class sizes and international students graduating in half the time it takes.

    Reply
  29. Marcelo

    Excellent article, I’m gathering information for the dental clinics guide Dental Office, I hope to see you there soon

    Reply
  30. Chad

    Hi everyone
    I am 18 years of age and I am planning on going to a university to study dentistry. I would really like some tips and advise from you guys, thank you in advance 🙂

    Reply
    1. RH

      You better think this over. Read the posts in this chain. You’ll see you might be getting into a meat-grinder. One guy said “… in the dental profession, we’ve elected to eat our young. We graduate far too many doctors, w/ WAY too much debt, & place them in horrific employment situations. It’s a modern version of indenture servitude. ”

      Although I loved being a dentist, clinical dentistry, I hated the business side. Nowadays many dentists are encumbered with HUGE debt and end up working in corporate dentistry, barely making enough money to pay your obligations. If you really love dentistry, it may be the profession for you. It is very competitive, however, and that is not fun. If I were starting now, I think I’d choose a different profession.

      Reply
    2. Caleb

      Hi Chad,

      Don’t let these posts discourage you if dentistry is what you want to pursue. I have been practicing about 5 years and it is a good profession. The main thing is keep your debt down. Go to a state school for undergrad, or even community college for the first two years. You don’t have to go to an amazing private school for undergrad to get into dental school, just choose a respected state school and work hard to keep your grades up. Then try to get into a state dental school which are quite a bit cheaper than some of the private dental schools that are being opened up. If you can keep your debt load manageable you will be in good shape. Also don’t be afraid to work in a rural area. Most new grads want to go to an exciting big city which I can understand, but the competition can make finding a good job difficult. If you are willing to live an hour or more outside a big city you can usually find good job opportunities. Its still a great profession.

      Reply
  31. RH

    As an old geezer dentist, now retired. The first ten years of my dental career was a hand-to-mouth existence, barely making enough money to pay my obligations. Yet, I loved clinical Dentistry; I disliked the business part: accounting, billing, hiring employees, complying with government regulations, scheduling, etc. Clinical Dentistry was fun and enjoyable. I persevered and was successful, retiring after about 30 years of Private Practice. My advice to you is pay off your debts as quickly as possible. Save as much money as you can and invest it. Right now I live off my investments, and make more money than I ever did as a dentist.

    Reply
  32. Macdmd

    Yes , I have had many of the same experiences. Being considered an independent contractor when you are clearly an employee was just one of the first. But , unbelievably after 30+ years I can finally retire and never have to do this job again. I don’t know how I did it, I never earned much, compared to my contemporaries, just barely the average dental income according to the ADA. Saving and investing is a BIG part and avoiding people who want to rip you off….consultants, salesman, brokers, and in my particular case antique salesman.
    I wish I could have been mostly in love with this job but I wasn’t and I am doubtful I’ll miss it for a minute. The income and some of the people perhaps. But the job? Never

    Reply
  33. Eric R

    Great article, Dr Vaughn! I admire your honesty. After 35 years of practice, I retired in 2017. There are many things that I do not miss at all, and I am having the time of my life now… following other interests and passions of creativity that I postponed, since I was so stressed and worn out from dentistry all the time. The one thing that I do miss is the connection with many of my patients. I worked in one office for 30 of my 35 years, so many of those patients felt like family and friends.

    But the work can be physically and mentally draining. In fact, I needed to end my career because of a shoulder injury — not caused by dentistry, but severely aggravated by it.

    My advise to anyone who finds themselves becoming more and more depressed by staying in the profession, is to not be afraid to seek help and support. You are NOT in this alone. There are many who feel exactly as you do.

    I found much help on another website which focuses on those who are very dissatisfied with the profession, and even looking for alternatives. I won’t name the website here, but it is easily found online.

    My best wishes to all those that are struggling in this very demanding profession.

    Reply
    1. Richard Hadlock

      Interesting article. I retired after 25 years of practice. I miss clinical dentistry, but not at all the business part. I was stressed and worn out from the business part of dentistry. I miss connecting with many wonderful patients who were like family and friends. I am having the time of my life now doing other things. In particular, developed side investments & endeavors that proved to be very lucrative, even more than dentistry, and not stressful.

      My advise to anyone who finds themselves becoming depressed or stressed: do not be afraid to pursue other endeavors. Concentrate on the good things in dentistry that you enjoy. Join a study club with colleagues and realize you are not alone.

      Reply
  34. ROBERT ALLEN

    This article continues to be full of constructive comments. Dentistry has slipped down the slippery slope over the lasst 15 years. I am uncertainty any moves short of disaster can reverse the trend. If I knew of someone interested in dentistry, I would discouraging them. For those already in the profession. i think I would consider teaching at a outstanding dental school for the remainder or my career. I may suggest a military career? Dentistry is not as rewarding as it was for me. I sincerely enjoyed every phase of the profession prior to year 2000. The professional association have done little to help dentistry.

    Reply
  35. Greg Grobmyer DDS

    I was blessed to find a situation where the dentist I went to work was actively growing his practice and not just looking for someone to take on the jobs he didn’t want. He worked closely with a practice management company and had just expanded his office. Within six months we had acquired a second practice facility and within a year we had brought in a third dentist. Now, there are now four dentists in three locations.

    I HIGHLY suggest going to work with someone who is smart enough to realize they don’t know it all and is open to outside coaching. Opportunities are out there in practices that are growing. Just watch out for the dentist that thinks they have all the answers. Ego is the thing that trips up MANY people in this field

    Reply
  36. Thomas Rooster DDS

    One of the best things dentistry has going for it is a significant barrier to entry. If you can manage to get through the years and cost of schooling, this alone will guarantee you job security, even in difficult financial times. Some of the commentators here are suggesting a dissuasion from dentistry and I couldn’t disagree more. This field is only going to grow. Keep your head up and stay focused.

    Reply
  37. David

    I am so happy to get this post. This is a nice post. I read your post. Its helps to patient.This is great Thanks for published this post.

    Reply
  38. Trisa Dental Solutions

    I agree with the facts Dr. Joe Vaughn presented in this blog. It sure is difficult out there for new dentists to cope up with the initial grinding days, but it is only because of those rough days you strengthen your willpower and go on. Thank you for sharing your experiences to let us know the real struggle.

    Reply
  39. Franson Tom, MS Ed, DMD

    You are all correct. You are all the top 1% of our world renown oral health care academic educational system and are so smart, you notice everything. When we graduated many moons ago, we also faced many challenges. If we can do it, so can’t you. The struggle is real, but so are you really real. I was a Physical Education major with a wife and 2 kids when I quit teaching at a Title I elementary school 5 years during the Boston Busing Crisis, so I could go to dental school to make a better life for my family. Dentistry is much better than PE classes. I loved teaching, but was starving and could not afford to buy a home. You will all make the right choices and it will be tough, but you will succeed because you graduated with the best 1%. Congratulations in advance. You are not serving fries at McDonald’s.

    Reply
  40. Nandhini K M

    Exactly narrated the way how I felt after coming out of my dental school. And I think, almost in every country, this situation is just the same. At least for a budding dentist, this fact is true. Because I am not from America, and still I can exactly correlate the feel. But what you have said is very true ” remember who you were and where you came from “. Definitely, we shall find a satisfying position in our profession, though it takes certain time. But should never forget the path we have travelled. Still, ass of now, we have a long way to go… Cheers! and best wishes.

    Reply
  41. Caringbah Dentist

    Dr. Vaughn,

    Really great article. I can relate those dark days in my career. You said the correct point, “these days don’t last forever. The pain is only temporary. And if we’re able to stay motivated and get through them, the clouds will certainly pass”.

    Reply
  42. Dr. Michael Anderson

    Dr. Vaughn,

    Thanks for writing about a topic not many people want to acknowledge. How hard it is to break into an already crowded profession. But just like anything else, if it’s was easy, everyone would do it. Keep your head up!

    Reply
  43. Franklin Woo, DDS, MS, MPA

    Join the US Army Dental Corps and see the world. Pay is lousy, the benefits are not very good, sometimes the duty stations were absolute crap, but the travel is not bad. I was stationed in Germany for 3 tours (this may not be possible since most Army bases have closed in Germany) and loved every minute I was in Europe. I also narrowly missed being getting killed in Iraq when a rocket hit the building I was in and destroyed the building, but I survived my tour of duty (I was the “Command Dental Surgeon” in Iraq for 450++ dental personnel and 45 US Army Dental Clinics or DENTACS). I am a graduate of the US Army Command and General Staff College and an alumnus of the US Army War College. I was also sent to Madagascar as the OIC (officer in charge) of a medical team sent in at the request of the US Department of State through Pacific Command to help combat an cholera outbreak on the island (no medical doctor wanted the mission, so the Command told me I was “it.”). I was also sent to American Samoa as the OIC of a dental mission to the island. With the Army, I have been to Central America, South America, Europe, Africa, South Pacific, Alaska, Middle East, all over the 48 states of the United States, and Hawaii.

    Reply
    1. Stephanie C Vandyne DDS FACD

      OMG…..Dr Franklin Woo, thank you for your service

      Reply
  44. Dr. Bill Radford Sr.

    Quite a familiar refrain,I’m afraid. I graduated from UNC in 1982 after a very stressful four years of training. Although it was a highly rated school at the time,I am sure that the great majority of my classmates considered the quality of their dental education to be spoiled by experiences with punitive and egotistical faculty members. Only a tad over fifty percent of my classmates graduated on schedule. What a shame….I have never understood the rationale of making our professional education a dog eat dog ordeal.
    Back to my story. I was fortunate enough to build a quality but smaller practice near my home town,where knowing a lot of folks was a help..
    In addition,being involved in community activities such as Rotary and being active in our church made my spouse and me feel welcome and needed.,even though the eighties were on an overall great economic period for dentists.
    As the nineties progressed,my practice became larger and more lucrative and we took advantage of this by paying down our debt.
    By the late nineties,I was ready to move on. I felt that I was in a personal and professional rut. I was offered a job as the director of the Dental Hygiene/Dental Assisting program at a local community college,where duties involved clinical teaching,lecture courses and administration. This was a totally new and different thing and was,in retrospect,my favorite job of a nearly 40 year career.
    After nearly a decade in education,I felt again the need to move on. An interesting year was ahead. I became an associate in a corporate practice. I am only going to say that I made good money and met some good people,but it was not for me.
    I was then offered a position as a hospital dentist in a psychiatric hospital,where I enjoyed a good relationship with the medical and nursing staff and provided compassionate care to some of our society’s most vulnerable and appreciative patients. After ten years on staff,I retired at age 63 after rotator cuff surgery.
    After a few months of recovery,I became the children’s health dentist for the local health department where I work three days a week. I greatly enjoy my “retirement” job!
    My career in dentistry has had dark days,but overall has been a satisfying life’s work. Good management and prudent financial sense have made it possible for us to retire at 65 and enjoy the fruits of our work.
    It must not have appeared to be too bad because my son followed in my footsteps and has his own private practice in western NC.
    Cheers to you all!

    Reply
  45. Rick N

    Take business classes and some type of sales/business development training. The majority of dentists have never sold anything before selling dental services.

    Reply
  46. Christine

    Interesting article.
    As an RDH for almost 20 years I have seen the good the bad and the ugly side of dentists. Newbies: drill fill and bill…(gotta pay off that debt!)
    Unfortunately many (not all) seem to be so incredibly unprofessional these days.
    Using profanity with patients, no kindness or appreciation for the assistants/staff.
    I have dealt with many young dentists coming out of school with egos so big- ugh. I had one ignore everything I had to say other than to remind me emphatically “I want the chair to be tilted at a 45 degree angle when I enter the room!”.
    Say what!?!
    I love working with older dentists. I think their stress level is much lower and their grasp on reality…along with the trust they have in their dental hygienist, and dental assistants (good ones at least! Lol) help the team work together. READ: there is no I in team…please if you are a dentist reading this: treat your dental hygienist and your assistant well….believe me it will be so much better for your practice!
    Of COURSE we all know the dentist is the smartest cookie in the universe.
    But sometimes, just being kind, makes all the difference and will build up your practice in ways you probably didn’t think possible.

    Reply
  47. Orven Gonzales

    I agree that there will be days where you feel lethargic and just stay at home. We can also combat the emptiness that we feel sometimes by looking for a hobby that will make you alive or course that is different from your field. You can also try to make improvements in your business by adding a dental provider solution or by making blogs and say what you think. Thanks!

    Reply
  48. Dentist Midvale

    Success only comes to those who strive for it. Passion is the main ingredient in your career’s success. So if you love dentistry then you need to endure all the bad things you feel about it.

    Reply
  49. Michael C. Bell

    the internet we have opportunity to share without guilt what is truly going on in dentistry. Nice to be a part of this discussion.

    Reply
  50. Better Image Dentistry

    Achievement just goes to the individuals who take a stab at it. So, if you have a passion for dentistry, you have to persevere through all the awful things you feel about it. Well, I found your post interested and inspiring. Keep it up!

    Reply
  51. Ernest V. Carder

    Success only comes to those who strive for it. Passion is the main ingredient in your career’s success. So if you love dentistry then you need to endure all the bad things you feel about it

    Reply
  52. Bridget Burris, DDS

    Achievement just goes to the individuals who take a stab at it. So, if you have a passion for dentistry, you have to persevere through all the awful things you feel about it. Well, I found your post interested and inspiring. Keep it up!

    Reply
  53. de Bruin Dental Center

    Achievement just goes to the individuals who take a stab at it. So, if you have a passion for dentistry, you have to persevere through all the awful things you feel about it. Well, I found your post interested and inspiring. Keep it up!

    Reply
  54. k dds

    Dr. Allen and Dr. Salierno,
    I posted the following 2 years ago and am posting it again in hopes of receiving a reply from you or perhaps a link to an article that may address similar misgivings…..

    “Dr. Allen, thank you for your several comments on this article. I have been practicing for 8 years in private practice and in just that time, even I have felt the vicious monster that has become social media destroy the brilliance that is the profession of dentistry. While I have never had a review naming me in it be less than 5 stars (yet!) the thought of a single bad review besmirching my reputation (ie. my person) is a black cloud that follows my every patient conversation and certainly turns my suspicion on every new patient. I feel that the threat of social media retaliation by a disgruntled patient (or worse an ‘anonymous’ disgruntle employee/competitor posing as a patient) who may be angry at having to pay something or having misunderstood about something else is equivalent to being blackmailed. I must now, at ALL times, be OVERLY kind, overly attentive, overly generous with my time and efforts. I am exhausted each and every day leaving the office. I adore my patients, but the thought of one crazy person derailing my reputation makes me shudder. Previous generations of dentists often aren’t even on social media. Their 20 years of patient family followings almost ensures their continued success, even if new patients don’t stay. The new dentist is not only having to do immaculate work, but also feels compelled to pay websites not to publish bad reviews…even if they NEVER ACTUALLY GET LESS THAN 5 STARS.. We have to accept ridiculous insurance fees and ironically pay social media outlets to advertise while at the same time also pay for them to secure our reputation. We get no breaks. What does facebook, twitter, instagram, etc. have to do with dentistry? Dr. Allen, did your office deal with social media and the perils therein? Unfortunately, it’s only getting worse. I love doing dentistry, but the time and financial suck that social media has become is abhorrent and makes me fear the new patient…or the crazy outlier anyway…and in turn, makes me dislike the whole of dentistry.”

    As a follow up, as I continue to be an associate, what to do when an endo specialist[s office to which I have referred patients for years, refers a patient to me via a letter addressed to me (though never given to me), but the patient is scheduled with the owner (2 crowns, 2 posts and cores in a patient that will require many other procedures). Confront the owner dentist? assume it was an accident?
    ~k

    Reply
    1. Rick Nappier

      All that I have said about social media since 2013 is coming true. Social media is not business friendly to white collar professionals.

      Reply
  55. k dds

    Dr. Allen and Dr. Salierno,
    I posted a comment about the difficulties of social media 2 years ago and tried to post it again in hopes of receiving a reply from you or perhaps a link to an article that may address similar misgivings, but the site will not allow a repost 🙁 any way you could scroll up from this post to see and comment on my original post?….and also

    As a follow up, as I continue to be an associate, what to do when an endo specialist[s office (to which I have referred patients for years), refers a patient to me via a letter addressed to me (though never given to me), but the patient is scheduled with the owner (2 crowns, 2 posts and cores in a patient that will require many other procedures). Confront the owner dentist? assume it was an accident?
    ~k

    Reply
  56. Chris Antrim

    Well, we all have dark days when it comes to our profession. I’m an insurance broker for over 20 years now and believe me those struggles are real. Everyone walk through the dark days, it is up to whether you quit or keep walking till you reach the light. 🙂 for me I have a passion for helping my community by being insured when the time comes.

    Reply
  57. Alex Nottingham

    I have read your blog it was amazing where you have been mentioned dental information. thank you so much for this essential information.

    Reply
  58. Marcelo

    I invite dental clinics that would like to be listed on Dental-officee.Org to send me their location and they will be added.
    Thank you

    Reply
  59. Amy Teixeira

    I know this is an old post but I needed it today, thank you

    Reply
  60. Pingback: Still the new dentist – New Dentist Blog

  61. Dr. Celeste Medynskyj

    Thank you for your honest perspective. Dentistry can be a very financially rewarding job but the reality is, it IS stressful. Every patient we see is stressed about seeing us and unfortunately, that can project onto us. I try to remember that I am, in fact, helping people and doing a great service for the community.
    As a side note, I find my attitude is much better when I am not working so much. When I work long hours and haven’t had a vacation in a while, I get very burnt out so it is important to make time for yourself as well. Also, having outside hobbies or obligations help to distract myself from worrying about the stuff which is outside of my control. Owning your own business adds stress but gives you so much more autonomy which adds to work satisfaction.

    Reply

Leave a Reply to Dental blog Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *