Dentaltown New Grad Edition 2019 - 44

"The little successes I experience
every day have been the most
rewarding part of my first year
as a dentist. When patients trust
me, I see it in their eyes and
know that their perception
of dentists is changing."

on and gave my all. I proudly completed the three-month
assignment and was reminded that our purpose as dentists
is a noble one. I returned to Alcoa re-energized and ready
for my next challenge.
And it arrived pretty quickly: Adams, who had been my
greatest support, accepted an opportunity with another practice
within the Aspen Dental network, so I was asked to be the lead
dentist in our office. Was I ready for this type of responsibility
after only a year in practice? That's hard to say, but the transition
has taught me to rely on the expertise of our dedicated staff,
many of whom have decades of experience. One of the best
ways that I've found to do this is to huddle with them twice
daily, to debrief on difficult cases or simply ask their advice
on dealing with unique patients or situations.

Humility
I strive to lead by example, which means being humble
around every person and situation I encounter. Accountability
is essential, too, and key to building trust. Everyone makes
mistakes, and by owning up to them I'm less likely to make
them again, and more likely to earn the respect of colleagues
and patients.
I'm proud of the fact that as I've grown as a professional,
I've earned the trust of my co-workers and patients. That was
fostered by a willingness to listen to staff suggestions, to focus
on hearing what my patients' concerns are, and taking the
time to patiently discuss all options with them before making
a final recommendation. This is vital to developing healthy
long-term relationships.
One of the biggest decisions I had to make after graduation
was whether to join a dental service organization. A major
factor that led to my decision to join Aspen Dental was

44

NEW GRADS 2019 // dentaltown.com

that I wanted to be able to spend my time focusing on the
needs of my patients. Because I don't have to worry about
the administrative side of running a practice, I can devote
my time to caring for my patients and having time to further
my development. In the past year, I've been able to speak at
dental conferences, which has been great because it allows me
to meet other professionals in the industry and to share my
learnings to help others who may be in similar situations to
my own. Having to oversee the managerial side of the house,
while getting my dentistry sea legs, would have been daunting.
One year into my career journey and I am more determined
than ever to become the best dentist I can be. I am constantly
motivated to help my patients get the care they need today.

Mindset
Most importantly, I'm striving to change how people think
about dentistry. This human connection opens the door for
patients to be less fearful of getting treatment. Whether it's
been one year or a decade between visits, every mouth
deserves treatment so a patient can live more comfortably.
I think the little successes I experience every day have
been the most rewarding part of my first year as a dentist.
When patients trust me, I see it in their eyes and know that
their perception of dentists is changing. It's incredibly satisfying
to build a bridge of trust between dentist and patient, and
it's fulfilling to be a part of a new generation that changes
the way patients view dentistry.
In doing so, perhaps I'm also altering the view of dentistry
from individuals who have not had great dental experiences
in the past. If they have a good experience with me, I know
they'll come back regularly-with a happier, healthier,
ever-smiling mouth. ■
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Dentaltown New Grad Edition 2019

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