Human first, dentist second

How do we balance being our authentic self with our role as a professional clinician? I often observe the ways in which different people bring themselves to work. It’s really varied and usually reflects our natural characters. Those who are full of fun, loud and relaxed will bring that to work. Others can be reserved, measured and quieter.

Our role at work is to be reassuring, credible and consistent but being ourselves (however that looks) is really important – to be anything else would just be exhausting. Getting it right is an interesting balance. I suspect that most people don’t think about it and how we interact with patients and our team is largely unconscious.

Behind each of us is a unique personality and life that might be messy, complicated and inappropriate for the calm, quiet of the surgery. How do we enjoy days being wholly ourselves whilst being mindful of our professional obligations?  Here are five ways to do that, without losing professionalism.

1. Bring yourself to work – not your entire life

Patients respond to people, not just clinicians. A small moment of warmth, humour or shared understanding can transform an interaction and build a connection. This doesn’t mean oversharing or blurring boundaries. It means allowing your natural personality to be present which might manifest itself in a moment of levity or ordinary comment. I think that being appropriately human is actually an essential part of being a professional.

2. Protect your life outside dentistry

It is easy for dentistry to expand and fill any space available. Training courses, admin, conferences, responsibility and the mental load all take time - yet the most grounded clinicians I know are often those with strong identities beyond their profession. Whether it is walking, music, sport, family life or something entirely unrelated, these spaces give them an outlet and vital perspective.

3. Value rest as part of the job

As dentists, we’re rarely short on commitments and appointments of every nature. What we don’t schedule is our own recovery time – I know this from personal experience! Without deliberate rest, even the most experienced clinicians begin to feel the strain. Try to include a short pause between patients, a proper lunch break, a realistic end to the day and not too many work-related trips or weekend working. Look at it as professional maintenance.

4. Stay curious, not just competent

This is slightly contradictory with point 4 but bear with me! Clinical competence is essential, but, for me, curiosity is what keeps my work engaging over time. Curiosity might show up as an interest in how patients think, how communication lands, or how small changes alter outcomes. It might be pursuing a new area of dentistry, or something entirely outside it. Curiosity brings a kind of break or rest in itself as you allow yourself the space to explore something new.

5. Let your idea of a ‘good dentist’ evolve

What does a great dentist look like to you? Full of energy, always on, regularly at all the conferences, publishing amazing research? A sustainable, well-rounded career often involves adjusting that definition. Recognising that being effective is not the same as being everything to everyone.

I will continue to be fascinated by how different people present themselves in a work environment, how much they choose to share or withhold, how open they might be and how controlled others are. It really does take all sorts.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Dr Dhiraj AroraBDS MJDF RCS (Eng) MSc (Endo) PG Cert CE.

Owner of evo endo working out of three practices (limited to endodontics) in Twickenham, Gerrard’s Cross and Slough.

He is a passionate teacher and ambassador for all things endo.

Follow him on Instagram: @drdij_evoendo

This article first appeared in The Probe magazine