By: Eric Block DMD, CAGS, FICOI, FICD, FAADS
Introduction:
How can you be less stressed as a dental professional?
Well, it’s not easy and is multifactorial. There is no one-size-fits-all remedy. We are all different and unique individuals. We all come from different backgrounds and work in various styles of dental practices.
I write a lot about practicing stress-free dentistry, but is there such a thing? Probably not. It may sound oxymoronic, but the point is to understand that there will be stress and lots of it at times.
Stress is part of the gig that we signed up for. Dentistry is a high-performing high job. For those dentists who say they have never worked a day because they loved it so much, well, that was not me. Halfway through my career, I overcame a major case of burnout. Yet, I still experience stress regularly.
But I can guarantee that if you are feeling burned out, depressed, angry, or any other way, you have to take action. These feelings and problems aren’t going to go away on their own. Here are some tips that have helped me to tolerate stress and reduce burnout over the years.
Stay in your comfort zone.
Figure out what procedures you are comfortable with and enjoy doing. Focus on filling your schedule with these. It is equally important to avoid the procedures you don’t want to do. Repeat to yourself, “It’s okay to say no.” The same goes for a patient’s personality you don’t jive with. This means that if you are presenting a treatment plan to a patient or treatment that you feel uncomfortable undertaking. Best to refer them to a colleague. I say, Mr. Jones, this case is a bit out of my comfort zone, and I want to get you in the best hands possible and will refer you to my colleague. It’s as simple as that, and I no longer let patients try to pressure me into working on them if I don’t feel it’s within my comfort zone.
Find your peeps
Having a support group in dentistry is uber important. We live these parallel lives but often don’t engage with our peers enough — especially those in a solo practice. There is something so refreshing about sharing stories of successes and failures with your peers. Other great resources to reach out to are mentors, private social media groups, consultants, coaches and state dental societies. Going through this profession is difficult; going through it alone is ill-advised.
Don’t beat yourself up.
This could be the biggest takeaway of this article. We are all human beings, make mistakes and have less-than-ideal outcomes. This will never change or go away; nothing is wrong with you. Why? Guess who else has had a filling break, got a bad social media review, or had an unhappy patient? The answer is every other dentist in the history of dentistry. Failures are going to happen. Understanding that you are not alone and can’t be perfect is essential to being stress-free.
Conclusion
Take it from the stress-free dentist. There will be stress, but take some actions to minimize it and not let it ruin you. Focus on the many good things that happened and not the one or two negative ones. You only have one life and career, so enjoy it.
— Blocky out
Eric Block DMD, CAGS, FICOI, FICD, FAADS
Dr. Eric Block is a full-time practicing dentist in Acton, Massachusetts, husband and father of two kids. He graduated from the Nova Southeastern College of Dental Medicine in 2002 and then completed a 2-year Implantology Residency at Boston University in 2004. He is certified by the American Association of Dental Boards for continuing education.
He lectures nationwide, helping dentists become more efficient, productive and less stressed. He discusses clinical workflows, digital dentistry, guided implantology, 3D printing, practice management and health and wellness. He firmly believes in dentists re-energizing themselves and their careers through new treatments and technology.
He is the co-founder of the International Academy of Dental Life Coaches or IADLC.com. This organization is dedicated to supporting dental professionals and their well-being through the help of life coaches.
He is the host of the Stress-Free Dentist Podcast, where he interviews dentists and companies to hear their stories and how they can help dental professionals become more efficient, productive, and less stressed. In 2021, he authored his first book, “The Stress-Free Dentist: Overcome Burnout and Start Loving Dentistry Again.” He hosted The Get Stress-Free Dentistry Summit and founded The Stress-Free Dentistry Facebook Group. His books can be found at amazon.com/author/ericblock.
All of his current books are available at amazon.com/author/ericblock.
He can be reached at info@thestressfreedentist.com and check out www.TheStressFreeDentist.com for more information about Dr. Block and his upcoming events. https://linktr.ee/thestressfreedentist
Beyond the Bite 