Muhalab Al Sammarraie, D.D.S., originally from Baghdad, is the site dental director at AltaMed Health Services, one of the nation’s largest federally qualified health centers. Recognized as a 2023 ADA 10 Under 10 Award winner and an Incisal Edge magazine 40 Under 40 Top Dentist in America for 2023, he is also an international lecturer at Universidad De La Salle Bajio and a preceptor for Tufts University School of Dental Medicine students. He serves as an alternate delegate to the 2024 ADA House of Delegates and a member of the continuing education and communication committees at the San Diego County Dental Society. Dr. Al Sammarraie’s leadership spans public, private and nonprofit sectors, focusing on education, social services and health care. Beyond dentistry, he supports activist groups in Iraq, helping war victims and displaced individuals access education and medical care.
Dentistry represents the perfect intersection between scientific precision and artistic creativity. It is not simply about treating teeth; dentists are artists who blend their understanding of biological sciences with exceptional artistic skills to craft smiles that suit every face, making dentistry the beaming face of medicine. As dentists, our training involves working on extremely small areas, often no larger than a few millimeters. We understand how even a minuscule difference can dramatically alter a patient’s appearance, which can lead to meticulous overthinking and a relentless pursuit of perfection.
Even when you create a stunning smile, you may only be able to focus on a quarter-millimeter discrepancy that’s visible to others only under magnification. This attention to detail can lead to frustration or regret over hours of effort, even though the result is excellent from the patient’s perspective (and might even impress other dentists). This never-ending quest for perfection is the foundation of our high standards and causes us to continuously push the boundaries of precision and excellence in dentistry.
The perils of perfectionism
What is perfectionism? It’s the continuous search for flawlessness and the rejection of anything short of it. The problem, though, is that when you seek perfection, your goals continually change and are always just out of reach. Think of it as a race where the finish line is always three steps ahead, no matter how long you run.
This drive for perfection might initially motivate young achievers by offering a lofty goal to strive for. However, it can gradually become toxic as it depletes your energy, causes feelings of chronic inadequacy and makes the accomplishments that you do reach less joyful because they never reach your idea of “perfect.” As the saying goes, courtesy of Winston Churchill, “Perfection is the enemy of progress.” The relentless pursuit of perfection can be damaging to your mental health, often leading to stress, anxiety and depression. Furthermore, if you’re constantly seeking perfection in one area, you may miss other opportunities that make your professional and personal lives rewarding and enjoyable.
Recalibrate your perceptions
When the search for perfection becomes too much, recalibrate your perceptions — remember that perfection is only an illusion, but striving for excellence is possible. It’s a small shift, only a single word, but it’s enough to reframe your mind and prevent the unavoidable burnout associated with the quest for perfectionism.
In my own journey, I have learned that, ultimately, God will bring about what is meant to be, and I will receive what I deserve, even if it isn’t the perfect outcome I initially envisioned. In my culture, we emphasize balance, saying, “Moderation is the adornment of matters,” highlighting that finding equilibrium is key to achieving true fulfillment. Shifting my focus toward inner peace and excellence rather than perfection has been transformative. This change has allowed me to grow, mature and gain wisdom, focusing on the best outcomes for everyone rather than selfishly seeking perfection.
Dealing with comparisons has been crucial in this journey. Some people seem to have everything perfectly done and portray life as flawless, making you question, “What’s wrong with me?” There’s a saying, “He exaggerates and makes a big fuss out of a tiny thing,” which captures this well. Some do this intentionally, while others do it unintentionally to feel happy. I learned not to judge others and to take only the positive aspects from these portrayals, focusing on my progress without unrealistic comparisons. Often, I hesitate to try things because they are marketed as extraordinary feats. However, when I finally attempt them, I realize they are neither as difficult nor as impressive as portrayed. This understanding has helped me approach challenges with a balanced perspective, focusing on my capabilities and progress.
Create a life outside of your work
Loving your work and being proud of what you do is natural, but it’s important to remember that dentistry is just one aspect of your identity. Allocate time for rest, social activities and breaks to maintain a well-rounded work-life balance. You’ll perform better at work when you give yourself ample time away from it. The term “work-life balance” is used a lot, but it’s a myth — you cannot treat both equally. Instead, you can strive for harmony by aligning your actions with your unique values, goals and life circumstances.
Find hobbies outside of work that bring you joy, help manage your stress and allow you to step out of the work headspace. Whether it’s playing football (or should I say, soccer), hiking or learning a musical instrument, engaging in activities you love can remind you there’s more to life than career “perfection.”
Volunteer
Finding fulfillment often means looking beyond perfection, and volunteering can be a key to this realization. Giving back to the community, especially to those underserved, shows that perfection isn’t necessary to make a positive impact. Furthermore, sharing your knowledge and mentoring others can foster positive changes, reinforcing the idea that everyone has something valuable to offer.
Volunteering provides a sense of purpose and perspective. By focusing on the needs of others and tackling real-world problems, you’ll see that the value you bring isn’t reliant upon flawless performance, and success can be found solely with continual progress. Volunteering fosters empathy, reduces stress and builds community connections, enhancing personal growth and well-being. It promotes a balanced outlook on life and achievements, which is particularly beneficial for high-stress professions like dentistry, where perfectionism is common.
Steer clear of social media comparisons
“Comparison is the thief of joy.” — Theodore Roosevelt. Social media is a double-edged sword; it connects us with others but also puts our colleagues’ achievements on display, often without revealing how many struggles they faced along the way. This creates a distorted reality where we compare our behind-the-scenes to others’ highlight reels.
While social media offers opportunities for networking and professional growth, the curated perfection seen online can lead to unrealistic expectations and feelings of inadequacy, contributing to stress, imposter syndrome and burnout. To avoid these toxic effects, it’s crucial to approach social media mindfully. Reflect on your journey and acknowledge your unique challenges and milestones without comparing them to others’. Your path is uniquely yours, and any progress you make is noteworthy.
Ditch the idea of perfect
Perfectionism often does more harm than good. It can cause career stagnation, drive self-deprecating thoughts and foster imposter syndrome, all in the interest of creating something unattainable: perfection. If your goals always feel out of reach, take time to reevaluate and possibly dial them back to the realm of realism. Remember, while perfection is an illusion, excellence is something tangible to strive for. Reshape your perception, embrace your imperfections and see how excellence, not perfection, is the true path to professional and personal fulfillment.
By understanding the perfectionist mindset and implementing these strategies, we can transform our approach to dentistry. Embrace progress and self-compassion to find fulfillment in our achievements, and enjoy the journey toward excellence without the burden of perfectionism.
The article was very interesting to read. As someone who has often struggled with the effects of perfectionism in my own practice, it really resonated with me. There is a great deal of balance to be achieved between striving for excellence and managing perfectionism’s stress. Thank you, Dr. Al Sammarraie, for sharing your experiences and knowledge. Insights like yours have given me new perspectives on what to do in my work with greater self-compassion and balance.
Thank you so much for your kind words. I’m glad to hear that the article resonated with you and provided some valuable insights. Striking a balance between striving for excellence and managing the stress of perfectionism is indeed a challenge many of us face in our practice.
Your feedback is deeply appreciated, and it’s encouraging to know that sharing my experiences has helped you gain new perspectives. Wishing you continued success and greater self-compassion in your work.
Best regards,
Dr. Al Sammarraie
Thank you, Dr. Sammarraie, for your insightful article. Seeking perfection has been my biggest challenge, and I am still working on it. This read is excellent and offers many valuable points to consider. I particularly appreciated the section on volunteering, which I realize I need to work on.
YES!!! This is so right on! Great advice!
Thank you!
Dr. Al Sammarraie
Thank you, doctor, for your kind words and for taking the time to read my article. I’m glad to hear that you found it insightful and that it resonated with your own experiences. Striving for perfection is a common challenge, and it’s a continuous journey for many of us.
I’m particularly pleased that the section on volunteering stood out to you. Volunteering can be incredibly rewarding and provide a new perspective on our work and personal growth.
Wishing you the best as you continue to navigate and balance your pursuit of excellence.
Best regards,
Dr. Al Sammarraie
I practiced for a half century, always seeking perfection. I don’t regret this for a moment. My search for perfection led to my personal happiness, that my patients went into old age still being able to chew their food and smile.
Thank you for sharing your experience. It’s inspiring to hear how your pursuit of perfection led to both personal happiness and excellent patient outcomes. My blog aims to highlight the balance needed to maintain high standards while managing the potential stress that comes with striving for perfection. Your commitment to excellence clearly had a positive impact on your patients’ lives, which is a testament to the dedication and care that defines our profession.
Thank you for your valuable perspective.
Dr. Al Sammarraie
Excellent article. Thank you!!!
Thank you!
Dr. Al Sammarraie
Vince Lombardy once said: “Perfection is not attainable, but if we chase perfection, we can catch excellence.”
This is a true statement. If new dentists start out accepting mediocrity to avoid “perfectionism,” they will NEVER catch excellence. Where do you draw the line? My father once said that one of the hardest things is to be your own worst critic. No one is looking over your shoulder. Are you going to accept that faulty impression and cop out saying “That’s the best I can do…” Bacteria are microns. You won’t get away with it. It is so important to strive for perfection to catch excellence. That’s not the same thing as being perfect to excess.
I spent the beginning of my career striving for perfection. No one put the pressure of having to produce on me. Instead I was expected to strive for quality by giving my best no matter how long it took. As I became better, I became faster. Today new graduates are pressurized to produce–even though they have poor skills. Under this constraint they will never live up to their potential. They will never like Dentistry or give back to the profession.
Your advice to avoid perfectionism is bad advice. We should never accept mediocrity, we must strive for excellence–like Vince Lombardy says, we must strive for perfection in order to catch excellence.
Thank you for your thoughtful comment. I agree that striving for excellence is crucial in dentistry, and the quote from Vince Lombardi resonates deeply. The point of my article is not to promote mediocrity but to highlight the importance of balance.
Perfectionism, when taken to an extreme, can lead to burnout and hinder overall progress. It’s about understanding that while we should aim for the highest standards, we must also recognize our limits and not let the pursuit of flawlessness negatively impact our mental health and professional satisfaction. Striving for excellence should indeed be the goal, but it’s important to distinguish between productive striving and counterproductive perfectionism.
New graduates, under significant production pressures, need to develop their skills methodically without being overwhelmed by unrealistic standards. As you mentioned, quality improves with experience, and a balanced approach can foster sustainable growth and a lasting passion for dentistry. My advice is to focus on excellence through continuous improvement while avoiding the pitfalls of excessive perfectionism that can be detrimental in the long run.
Thank you again for your valuable insights.
Dr. Al Sammarraie
This post terrifies me .. why would we not constantly strive for perfection ..?!?! One of my mantras is “”Good enough” is never good enough” – and I wholeheartedly believe that we owe it to our patients, our colleagues, our profession, and ourselves to always pursue perfection!!!
Thank you for sharing your perspective. I understand your concerns and appreciate your dedication to high standards. My post addresses the negative impacts of extreme perfectionism, such as stress and burnout.
Striving for excellence is crucial, but we must balance this with self-compassion and realistic expectations. “Good enough” should never mean settling for less, but aiming for excellence rather than unattainable perfection allows us to provide high-quality care while maintaining our well-being.
Thank you for your commitment to the profession.
Dr. Al Sammarraie
I was intrigued by the title of the article, because, after 45 years of practice I know that perfection is really unobtainable in dentistry. We can achieve excellent results, even improve upon nature in some cases, but perfection is beyond our human capability. Yet, the goal of achieving perfection is necessary in order to come close to that goal. If we have a vague target, we are likely going to miss the bullseye. If we strive to hit the very center of the bullseye, on the other hand, we are are going to hit closer, more often.
I agree that we should not overly stress ourselves for small imperfections. But, we should not accept less than a standard that, ultimately, we must set for ourselves. My standard has always come down to this, “Would I want that for myself or my family?”
Thank you for your insightful comment. I completely agree that while perfection may be unattainable, striving for it helps us achieve excellent results. Your analogy of aiming for the bullseye captures this perfectly. The goal is not to stress over minor imperfections but to maintain high standards and continuously improve.
Setting a personal standard, such as “Would I want that for myself or my family?” is an excellent benchmark. This approach ensures we provide the best possible care while maintaining our well-being.
Thank you for sharing your valuable experience and perspective.
Dr. Al Sammarraie
Really very helpful article. Thanks
Thank you!
Dr. Al Sammarraie
This is so interesting! As someone who stresses over everything, I can totally see how perfectionism might impact dentists too. Finding that balance between excellence and practicality sounds key.
This article hits home for so many in the dental field. As a dental professional, the distinction between pursuing excellence and getting caught in the trap of perfectionism is a critical one.
we’ve seen firsthand how striving for flawless results can sometimes lead to unnecessary stress or even burnout.
It’s important to focus on consistent improvement and providing the best patient care without letting perfectionism impede our progress. Excellence, after all, is about delivering great care while maintaining balance and well-being for both the patient and the practitioner. This blog perfectly captures that mindset!
Thank you!