At a dental meeting in Sheffield a few years ago, 100 dentists were asked the following question by Chris Barrow:
"Who here is really enjoying their work at the moment?"
Only about 10 people put their hands up, myself being one of them :). This is not a good sign. And yes we can blame all sorts of problems from the CQC to being sued, but at the end of the day, if we don’t enjoy our jobs, what the hell are we doing it for?
So I ask you the same question. Are you thoroughly enjoying your work as a dental practitioner? In fact, let’s spilt that question into a selection of sub questions
If the answer to any of those questions (including the main one) is no, then I will ask you another question: WHY NOT?
There is an answer to all these questions, in fact you have some answers floating about there already right? You are saying things to yourself like:
Now I admit that I have no idea about your situation. But you chose to be a Dentist for a reason did you not? Remember when you went to your university interview? One of the first things that you were asked was why do you want to be a dentist? Of course nobody said for the money. But surely you know why you became a dental surgeon; surely you didn’t just fall into the job.
Unless it has been your life’s mission since the age of three, you have a slight problem. The person who entered dental school, is not the same person sat here reading this now. You have changed. There are some of you out there who no longer enjoy the job. It has lost its spark. There are some of you who find it difficult to go into work on a Monday. Some of you find it hard to go into work every day, and relieve your feelings of disappointment with alcohol in an evening (and perhaps even during the day). Life seems to be passing you by, and you’re not enjoying it.
How is your health? Do you feel good, or are you suffering one or more ailments. Acid reflux, back ache, headaches, stomach ulcers, maybe even irritable bowel syndrome. Are you feeling depressed, trapped, or overwhelmed? Are you counting the days to retirement? Or are you one of the 10{5967c1c62f4ef8b7b412a831d8b156a63c78c639bcf63a7eb2a79bf93ffc16c4}-20{5967c1c62f4ef8b7b412a831d8b156a63c78c639bcf63a7eb2a79bf93ffc16c4} who love going into work every day? Because there is no reason you shouldn’t be. It is your life after all, so why shouldn’t you be enjoying it? And that’s where I come in.
I don’t have all the answers; I will be the first to admit that. But I believe I have some insight into what makes the ideal dental practice. This is what I would class as ideal:
Does that sound like the practice you work in? Let me see if I can give you a bit of help to create this in your practice.
- MONEY – Earn the money you deserve
- PATIENTS – Treat the patients you want to treat
- ENVIRONMENT – Create an environment you will enjoy working in
Click on one of the above to continue your journey….
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