Healthcare is one of the most rapidly evolving industries. It never stands still. This requires medical professionals of all ages and skill levels to participate in continuing education programs. Every day, these individuals are responsible for providing safety and comfort to others. In an environment that sees so much growth, it is not an option to assume that there is nothing left to learn.
The pursuit of education is increasingly important for new dentists, but not in the way you may think. Typically, the main focus for young dentists is on the development of technical skills. Besides finding a job, recent graduates are primarily interested in sharpening their clinical abilities. Undoubtedly, clinical education is important, but in today’s culture, dentists have to be more than just good dentists–they have to be good leaders too. Walking out of dental school, there is a void in your education that can be filled with leadership and communication training. Leadership education enhances dentists’ ability to lead their teams, effectively communicate with patients, delegate, plan and make important decisions. Technical skills are ineffective if you cannot connect with your patient. It is my experience that when patients trust their dentist, they are more inclined to understand and accept treatment.
Throughout my career, I have had the pleasure to work and interact with many successful members of the dental industry. Dr. Anne Marie Ross and I met at the start of her career and became instant companions. We share a similar passion for dentistry and an insight on how to help people. Dr. Ross is a general dentist at Dental Care of Spring Hill in Spring Hill, Tenn.
Throughout the past five years of her dental career, her leadership skills have helped her to flourish both professionally and personally. After graduating from University of Louisville School of Dentistry, Dr. Ross entered into an office that needed to be revitalized. In less than five years, she was able to double the size of her team, double production and increase the original reputation of the office. She believes being a strong leader is contingent to having a successful practice.
“Clinical education is phenomenal. I learn something new every time I attend a class, even if it’s just a basic course. But in my opinion, the leadership classes are even more beneficial. You can clinically be a great dentist, but if you can’t relate to your team and your patients and you have a horrible atmosphere in your office, then it’s going to be a real struggle to be successful,” she said.
Leadership and communication skills are vital for patient interaction, but they are also important for team member interaction. A motivating leader will prompt a high-performance team, which ultimately creates a high-performance practice. I have a very large team at my office. There are 26 of us that work together to provide high-quality dental care to patients. For any team to function at a high level, there has to be a lot of respect and understanding among all of us. In the beginning, it was a challenge for me to step up as the head of my team. When I developed my leadership skills, however, my mindset shifted. I realized that while I can be one of them, I still have to be able to lead them in an effective way. My team and I attended classes together and learned about each other’s personalities, strengths and weaknesses. By investing in leadership education, we were able to develop as a team and understand each other’s contribution to the big picture–enhancing patient care.
Patient experience and leadership education extend outside the office doors too. My team and I utilize our skills to give back to the community through Free Dentistry Day. Over the last few years, I have led multiple Free Dentistry Day events at my office. My and team and I provide free cleanings, extractions and fillings, and often team up with other medical professionals in the area to offer services like free eye exams. These events are especially important to those in the community who do not have the financial means to receive oral health care. We also actively participate in other community events and volunteer our services whenever possible. Community involvement gives my team and me the chance to bond in a unique way and allows us to form personal relationships with members of the community. We are able to grow as leaders, but in the end we gain something even more valuable.
In my opinion, the most successful dentists have a good mix of clinical and leadership education. For new dentists, it can be difficult to figure out how to properly implement those skills. This is where having a mentor becomes very valuable. With a mentor teaching and guiding you, your education is boosted to a whole other level. Having a mentor at the very beginning of your career allows you to have an expanded viewpoint of what can be accomplished in the dental industry. I currently mentor young dentists and encourage them to do the same after reaching a certain level. From the beginning of her career, I have mentored Dr. Ross. Before practicing in her own office, Dr. Ross spent a week observing me and the culture of my workplace. She was very dedicated and always figured out how to overcome a challenge. She looked at challenges as a way to find success. That was impressive to me. I knew instantly that I wanted to be her mentor and help guide her throughout her career.
As someone passionate about continuing education, especially leadership, Dr. Ross now serves as a mentor, too. She advises her peers on both clinical and leadership skills, offers advice and invites them into her office to observe her procedures. Dr. Ross says that just as her pupils learn from her, she learns from them. She believes that being able to teach and mentor others has made her a better dentist.
“I learn a lot from others, and I think it definitely makes you a better dentist when you have someone observing over your shoulder,” said Dr. Ross. “You have to be able to teach and explain your process in a unique way. You’re more aware of what you’re doing. Being a mentor really pushes you to be your best.”
It is important to establish a mentor relationship with someone you can relate to and who has similar thought processes. Otherwise, it is hard to be honest and transparent. You want your mentor to be honest with you and vice-versa. Finding that person will allow you to advance your clinical skills and improve your quality of leadership and communication. A mentor relationship is not temporary, it’s a long-term commitment. There is an exchange of information that takes place over an extended period of time that helps you build on those skills. Ask questions, take feedback, give details and share experiences and then apply everything you have learned into your own practice.
“I don’t think people understand the importance of having a mentor that you can feel completely comfortable with,” said Dr. Ross. “I was never afraid to call Dr. [Anna] Singh, and she always extended a helping hand and was available to support me.”
The key to it all is application. Gather all the knowledge from your leadership and clinical courses, incorporate that with the lessons you have learned from mentor relationships, and incorporate it all into your office. To implement these skills, start with your team first. Develop a strategy and set standards by developing a mission and vision statement. Be supportive of those around you and encourage feedback from all directions. Explore different types of training; not everyone learns the same. Continuously help others who can be mentored and share your knowledge with them.
After developing confidence and morale within your team, apply this energetic attitude to patient interaction. Before suggesting treatment, get to know your patients on a personal level. Explain processes to them in a way that they can fully understand and be ready to answer their questions. They will be more inclined to accept recommended treatment, return for continued care and share their experience with family and friends. Overall, foster an environment that enables your staff and patients to feel comfortable in their surroundings.
Leadership is the perpetual companion to clinical excellence. The combination of these skills will allow you and your team to provide an unforgettable experience to every person who walks in the door. The most important lesson is to never stop learning. Always be curious about what is going on in the dental industry and be willing to learn from others. The pursuit of education is a lifelong journey and the foundation to maintaining a successful office.
Anna Singh, DMD, graduated from the University of Pennsylvania School of Dentistry in 2000. During her career, she has completed over 1,400 continuing education hours. Dr. Singh has received many professional awards and much recognition for her clinical accomplishments and excellence in leadership within the dental industry. Currently, she is a practicing dentist at Cane Ridge Dentist in Antioch, Tenn. and serves as the Vice President of Clinical Affairs at Heartland Dental. She is as a clinical mentor to supported dentists and advises in a variety of Heartland Dental continuing education programs. Dr. Singh is an active member of the American Academy of General Dentistry.