CT, my latest podcast guest, is back to share more of her story! Last week I interviewed CT, a dental student from Hong Kong, and now she has more to say! After our discussion, CT decided it was time for her to reveal more about her journey on her own blog. She fills in a lot of the blanks, and it is interesting! You’ll understand why practicing root canals in the lab often brought her to tears. You’ll see how the teaching style at her school shaped her experience, and you’ll see that she survived after quitting dental school. Her...
This week my guest comes all the way from Hong Kong! I’m excited to feature CT, another former dental student, who is here to share her amazing story. Throughout her life, CT always dreamed of becoming a doctor. Because of the way a degree is chosen in Hong Kong, she found herself going into dentistry instead of medicine. After completing three years of a six-year dental program, she considered quitting dental school and discovered she had to make a change. While it seemed like quitting dental school was not an option, something told her that it was the only option....
How often do you avoid making work changes because you don’t know what will happen? This occurs with many work changes, whether it’s deciding to hire new staff, revamping your practice model, or even quitting dentistry. I remember being an associate in an office with a hygienist who brought a lot of negativity with her. She was amazing in so many ways, but her undercurrent of negativity affected the energy of the entire office. It was hard for us to see it until she left on her own. I came to realize that the practice was holding on to her...
When we think about dental anxiety, we often think about patients, right? Of course. It’s obvious. Everyone knows that dentistry causes anxiety for patients. As dentists we put a lot of energy into understanding how we can help alleviate their worries. That’s a wonderful thing. But what about our own anxiety? What about dental anxiety for the dentist? I speak with a lot of dentists who struggle with anxiety. Although I used to wonder if patients’ anxieties and fears were rubbing off on me as a dental patient (anyone else ever think that?), dental anxiety for dentists is different. For...
We are often held back from creating change because of our own limiting beliefs. These beliefs stop us in our tracks and try to protect us from taking risks. However, these beliefs are simply not true. Based on the experiences of six people from the Celebrating New Beginnings series who have made their own dental career changes, here are 5 Truths that can help you spark your own career shift. 1. It’s Never Too Late. Rick practiced dentistry for 17 years before he took his first break from dentistry. After six months of traveling and relaxing, he realized even traveling and...
Welcome my next guest, Kristen. Kristen practiced dentistry for seven years before she took some time off to raise a family. After 12 years out of the field, she found herself at a crossroads when she suddenly needed a steady income. So she got back in the game! Although she had kept an active dental license over those years and even pursued her Fellowship in the Academy of General Dentistry, she became well aware of how much dentistry had changed in those past 12 years. That didn’t stop her though. She eased her way back in and discovered that dentistry...
In my last post, a Lolabees Friend shared a wonderfully thoughtful comment that got me thinking about a lot of things. One thing in particular stood out. At the close, he said: All I can say at this moment — 4 weeks after taking a break from dentistry — is that just now I am beginning to feel like I can take a breath and relax. Really live. Pursue some interests I truly have a passion for. And for the first time in a long time, say “I really don’t care.” His experience is not surprising at all. What strikes...
Several months ago, one of my blogging buddies asked me to write a guest post for her blog, Practice Shifts. Since I love her blog so much, I immediately said yes. Then guess what I proceeded to do? Absolutely nothing! Yep, that’s right. I can be a huge procrastinator, especially when under pressure to deliver. I was frozen, but after a little prodding from her, and a little brainstorming, I finally pulled the trigger. So pop on over to her blog and read my post, will ya? And while you’re there, check her stuff out too. She sure does have...
I recently came across a great post written about dental humor and the internet. Why do I think it was great? Well, because it was about me, of course! No really, while that’s partially true, I wanted to thank The Curious Dentist for what he had to say. The article wasn’t entirely about me, but was mostly about dental humor and its viral nature these days. Instead of regurgitating what he said, I’ll let you see for yourself. (more…)
