Dentaltown May 2018 - 16

professional courtesy
column

How Golf Is Like Dentistry
Golf

Dentistry

Golf is an adjunct to many business meetings because it will reveal more
about the people you are with than a business lunch.

Put someone in a dental chair and you will learn things about him that his
friends don't know.

Golf is filled with highs and lows; you can be playing well and then lose your
composure after you hit an errant shot. Now you must figure out a way to get
back on course.

Some procedures are completed without complication, but others present
surprises when your patient is "feeling it," your proximal contact is light, a file
is separated, a root tip breaks off, an impression has a bubble ... figure out a
solution and get your case back on track.

Golf will test your patience.

Patients will test your patience.

Golf is never the same game twice, even when you play on the same course.

Every day in your dental practice is different, even when you see the same
patients from one day to another.

Putting requires a player to read the contours of the green and make a
decision about the best path and speed for his putt.

Dentistry requires that a dentist can mimic the existing contours of an
anterior tooth when shaping a composite filling on the adjacent tooth.

A small number of golfers are quick to purchase the latest driver or newest
game-enhancing ball.

A small number of dentists will be the first on their block to own the latest
piece of equipment or newest material.

No matter how good you are at golf, you want to get better.

No matter how long you've been a dentist, you can always get better.

The satisfaction from sinking a long putt, hitting a great drive or scoring a
birdie brings you back for more.

Cementing a crown without adjustments, finishing an extensive treatment
plan or receiving a letter from your patient; these are moments that make it
possible to come back another day.

Rx for Happiness: Golf
I recently returned from the 16th annual Townie
Meeting in Orlando, Florida. This was the first time
Dentaltown hosted its yearly gathering anywhere
besides Las Vegas, and it turned out to be a resounding
success-the location attracted many first-time attendees,
and some terrific old friends as well.
The meeting has always been a mix of education
and entertainment; one of my favorite events is golfing
with Townies. This year, we were guests of Scheduling
Institute at Disney's Magnolia Golf Course. Whether I'm
on a golf course alone, playing with my family or, in this
case, playing with dental colleagues I'd just met, golf is
always a wonderful rejuvenation. Those who don't play
golf will say they don't understand why anyone would
chase a little white ball around for four hours. On the
other hand, those who love the game see so much more
than just the goal of getting the ball into the hole.
In fact, there are so many similarities between golf and dentistry that
it makes total sense that dentists have
long been associated with the game of
golf. I think there are fewer dentists
playing golf now because the time
commitment has been a challenge in

this age of distractions. If you're looking for an outlet to
ease your frustrations at work, or you need a hobby to
usher in your retirement, consider golf. Play nine holes
if you're short on time, or simply spend time working
on your short game. There are few activities that can
keep you active well into your golden years.
I know there will be many others who share a similar
level of passion for fishing, tennis or other activities-the
most important message is to find something that
energizes you outside of your office! Spend enough
time doing these things that you can find balance and
recharge your batteries before the next Class II composite
walks in the door. ■

Tell us how you relax!
Share your leisure activities and strategies to avoid burnout in the
thread that accompanies this lecture online. Reach Dr. Thomas
Giacobbi on Twitter (@ddsTom) or via email: tom@dentaltown.com.

by Thomas Giacobbi, DDS, FAGD, editorial director, Dentaltown magazine

16

MAY 2018 // dentaltown.com
http://twitter.com/ddsTom http://www.dentaltown.com
Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Dentaltown May 2018
