Dental myths (and truths): A guide for the new dental graduate

During the final year of dental school there is a great build-up of excitement and anticipation.

At long last you’re about to get your degree, the hard slog is over and you can finally relax. After all, you’ve accomplished five years of study and you can step into the life of a working professional.

Many questions will buzz around the cohort – What is life going to be like as a dentist? Where will I work? Will I find a job easily? Will I enjoy it? Will I be paid well?

There is speculation about what to expect and some ideas are a far cry from the reality of working in the current job market. The purpose of this article is to separate the myth from the truth and help new graduates navigate the new world of the workforce.

Top Myths:

1. “You will definitely find full time work in the city of your choice”
   Unless you plan on working for a corporate dental company (and maybe not even then), chances are many of us won’t be getting full time work in a metropolitan area straight out of school. Gone are the golden days where your local family dentist had a comfortable job lined up for you.
   
   Most private practices, that are willing to hire a new graduate, are aware that there will be considerable time and financial outlay with little return. Realistically, new graduates are slower workers, need to build up a patient base, and will probably need mentoring as well. Therefore, it makes sense for them to offer part time work and then add days from there.
   
   What does that mean for us?  Working two or three jobs to get by, adjusting to different work practices and a whole lot of fun with our tax returns.
   
   Silver lining: Working in different practices means more exposure to different patient bases, mentors and more learning opportunities. Learning from different styles of practice to formulate your own.
   
   Plan B: If you’re willing to sacrifice city living, a rural practice could be a good opportunity, whether it be public or private sector.
   
   
2. “Your principal dentist loves to mentor”

   Many principal dentists may also be practice owners which leaves them little time for much else. They might be great teachers, but often won’t have the luxury to step in and give their two cents on every tricky case. Rather than pestering them between patients and running late yourself, the key may be to set aside a time to discuss cases away from the clinical setting. 

   In some cases though, this might not be feasible. Some dentists may be unwilling to help at all. To quote an associate on my second day of work – “I’m not your tutor and I’m not obligated to help you. If you can’t manage patients, refer them to me so I’ll be paid for my time.”  A less than ideal mentor - but luckily I’ve found that this is definitely not the case for most practitioners.  

   Top tips: If you’ve got a mentor who’s willing to help, ask for a designated time outside clinical hours to discuss cases thoroughly. Most dentists are happy to help a new graduate along, but if this isn’t the case, branch out. Maintain contact with old tutors, get involved in the local membership branch or perhaps consider consulting some colleagues in a social media group      and ask those who are willing to help.

3. “You’re a dentist, you’ll be rich”

   This is arguably the most prevalent myth of all, and sadly the most untrue. If it's lifestyle and money you’re chasing, there are far easier ways to make it than in dentistry. What nobody tells you is that the ‘rich dentist’ lifestyle generally doesn’t kick in until after a good many years of established practice. Even now, that fat pay check you’re anticipating doesn’t account for a whole lot of deductions before the dollars will actually make it into your account – think tax, HECS, superannuation and lab fees.

   Silver lining: Cliché as it seems, forget the Mercedes and monetary targets and focus on what you’re learning – it’s priceless.

4. “Failure is not an option”
   Failure is not just an option, it’s a guarantee. In a perfect world, everything runs smoothly and there are no stuff ups, but this isn’t reality. In an increasingly litigious world, we all know the crippling fear of working on ‘real life patients’. Gone is the safety net of dental school and now you’re responsible for managing not only yourself and your work but also the patient’s concerns and expectations.
   
   There have been times when I know I’ve done my best and the patient is unsatisfied and there have been times when I know I haven’t done my best at all. Things will go wrong, but the important part is the management of these situations.  
   Discuss risks before starting treatment and if things don’t go as planned don’t panic. Explain, to the best of your ability, what has happened and offer a solution, whether that is a referral or another treatment option. Most patients will be more upset that you didn’t address their concerns or reassure them rather than whether you did everything perfectly. 
   
   Top tip: Review your experiences and most importantly discuss your shortcomings with your peers, so that you can all learn from each other. One of the best decisions I’ve made since graduating is to join a study group with other recent graduates and discuss cases in a safe and constructive environment.
   
   Plan B: Sometimes, despite your best efforts it is not possible to reach an acceptable outcome for the patient. It’s in times like these when you can consult someone you trust to give you the right advice. The team of dentolegal advisers at Dental Protection are available to assist you in managing sticky situations and help you navigate through adverse outcomes.
   
   The road may have a few bumps along the way but it’s important to remember that everyone starts off somewhere. There is always something to be gained from every new situation and for the times when it doesn’t go to plan, there are always people to help you. Enjoy this new phase and learn through every opportunity.