Why we learn and how we apply that knowledge is fundamental to our success and longevity in the field of dentistry.
Reflecting on a question posed by a dental student after a conference I led a few years ago—about what propelled me to my current professional stature—I recall responding with a metaphor that resonates deeply within our profession:
“If there are no roads where you live, don’t buy a Ferrari.”
This emphasizes the importance of assessing and tailoring your educational focus to efficiently serve the community in which you practice. The demand for advanced skills like cosmetic dentistry, digital dentistry, complex implant surgery, and full-mouth rehabilitation—what many consider the Everest of our field—is immense. However, as Malcolm Gladwell wisely points out in Outliers, mastering any complex skillset typically requires “an average of 10,000 hours.” This deep commitment is essential for achieving consistently great results.
To be a champion in anything you must sacrifice and outperform everyone with consistency and hard work.
The Importance of Teamwork in Modern Dentistry
In recent decades, dentistry has shifted from a solitary profession where a dentist relied solely on personal skills, to a more integrated, team-based approach. This evolution has greatly benefited patient care, allowing for more specialized treatment through interdisciplinary practices. Each dentist focuses on their area of expertise, enhancing the overall quality of care but also increasing the complexity of clinic management. This change prompts an important question about the nature of your dental practice: Are you a solo practitioner or part of a team? The answer significantly impacts the services you provide and the outcomes you can achieve. As the vice president of the Digital Dentistry Society, the worlds leading organisations on the in the field of digital dentistry, I can safely say that technology is connecting people more than ever and allowing to create into disciplinary team approach even if you are practising in different countries.
Technology really is changing the landscape
of how we work, think, and execute. Moreover, I have recently started talking on how dental avatars are truly revolutionising the way that we plan and treat our patients and more importantly even monitor and control quality from a distance. Very soon, we will be able to know exactly at what point mistakes were made and if it was human error, the material selected or if it was actually the patient that wasn’t compliant.
It means it’s a very good time to start practising gold standard dentistry as I believe very soon mistakes will be very quickly caught by the network. This includes insurance companies, dental service organisations (DSO) or simply the owner of the clinic who will go to great lengths in order to mitigate failure and reduce expensive conflict resolution when things go wrong.
In order to be on the winning team, education and proper systems in place are critical.
Educational Paths and Professional Development
For any dentist, continuous education is vital. The landscape of available educational programs is vast, ranging from weekend courses to extensive postgraduate studies. While some courses are designed more for the clinic’s business needs rather than passion or teaching prowess, it’s crucial to select programs that genuinely enhance your skills and contribute positively to your resume, but remember, choose something that is what the market in your community needs. If you are in the beginning of your career, you need to think not about what it is you’re passionate about alone, but also what the market requires. For example, there seems to me that there are way too many cosmetic dentists and not enough dentists proficient in laboratory workflows. How many of you actually understand the difference in all of the ceramics and all of the technologies and ways to manufacture monolithic crowns or veneers, and how many of you can actually make a ceramic crown from beginning to end? These are skills that, those that are in the position to hire dentists, are seeking more than ever.
Choosing the Right Courses
When choosing educational courses, it’s important to evaluate the credentials and reputation of the instructors, as well as the potential for earning credits towards higher education. This ensures that your investment in education is worthwhile and contributes meaningfully to your professional development. I advocate for courses that not only teach but also transform practices, as these are the ones that truly change the game in dentistry.
Beware of courses provided by groups or dentists that lack a verifiable track record in the field. Do your research. So many weekend courses out there with great marketing but do the teachers actually have enough extensive experience in real world dentistry to be in a position to teach others?
The Real Impact of Educational Background
Despite the numerous diplomas and certificates that decorate my office, I’ve found that patients rarely scrutinise these qualifications. Instead, they are far more concerned with the quality of care they receive—which is shaped by the tone of your voice, the thoroughness of your treatment planning, the technologies you employ, and the overall environment of your practice. Therefore, while educational achievements are crucial, the practical application of your learning and how you interact with patients play a more significant role in your success. Ideas without action are just dreams. Every single theoretical idea around dentistry at the end of the day needs the practical component to be performed on a human and for that you need proper complex management.
Seek educational courses that have a healthy dose of both.
The Business Side of Dentistry
It’s also vital to understand the business aspects of running a dental practice. This is something that isn’t always adequately covered in dental school. Most curricula focus on the technical skills required to perform dental procedures without equally stressing the importance of business acumen needed to run a successful practice. Early in your career, consider pursuing clinical residencies in settings that reflect the type of practice you aspire to run, as this can provide invaluable real-world experience. Think out of the box and perhaps even take an MBA. Those hiring are looking for ambition and drive, not just talent in dentistry.
Global Perspectives and Cultural Considerations
Throughout my twenty years of practice, I’ve treated patients from diverse cultural backgrounds, which has highlighted the importance of understanding different patient expectations and treatment needs. Whether it’s a patient from the UK, the US, Mongolia, or Ukraine, each comes with their own set of expectations influenced by their cultural and educational background. Recognising and adapting to these differences is crucial in delivering high-quality care and achieving patient satisfaction. For this it’s important to travel and learn about how dentistry is practiced differently out there.
Concluding Thoughts
In dentistry, as in all fields, success is a team game that requires not only individual excellence but also the ability to work effectively within a community of professionals.
Always seek to learn from and collaborate with those who inspire you,
and never hesitate to reach out to mentors and peers who can help guide your professional journey. It’s important to recognise those that inspire you publicly. Remember, the key to long-term success in dentistry lies in continual learning, adapting to advancements, and always prioritising the quality of care over the allure of quick profits.
And remember to go slow, don’t rush things. No one remembers the fastest or cheapest dentist, they will remember the kindest, the smartest and the most proficient one, no matter the cost.
Be Good. Be Kind. Be Excellent.
Good luck!
*Published in Miguel Stanley.
