Navigating the dental workspace

It’s important to acknowledge that the journey of navigating through the dental profession is unique - and one of the important lessons to remember is that everyone’s path is different. It can be easy to fall into the trap of comparison, especially with the growing influence of social media highlighting snapshots of others’ careers. But whether you’re just starting out or years into your practice, embracing your individual journey is key to attaining both personal and professional satisfaction in the dental workspace.

Your interests will likely shift as you gain more experience and the career you build should ideally be one which aligns with your values, lifestyle and goals. As I approach the five-year mark of practising in the field, I’ve been able to witness and appreciate how diverse our career journeys can become. Some colleagues and university classmates have ventured into clinic ownership, while others are continuing to thrive in general practice as associates. Some have opted to pursue a path to specialisation, while others are investing in targeted continued professional development programs. There are also individuals who have taken up opportunities to give back to the profession through supervising dental students at universities or through mentoring the next generations of dentists through professional development programs. I happen to find myself falling into the latter categories – working in both the private and public dental sectors, focussing on upskilling myself in aspects of general dentistry that I have identified as my strengths and enjoy practising.

Public vs private sector  

Both the public and private dental sectors play an important role in our healthcare system – each comes with its own rewards and challenges. Within public practice, you’ll find yourself working in a structured environment which is guided by public health principles and specific policies that are in place to ultimately provide an opportunity to access general dental care for patients belonging to high-risk population groups. The scope of practice may be more limited, however, the impact towards improving overall community health is noteworthy. On the other hand, private practice offers greater flexibility and autonomy, provided you remain within your clinical scope of practice. You have the freedom to utilise a broader skillset to offer comprehensive management options, including taking a multi-disciplinary approach, in a timely manner and it offers opportunities to build lasting patient-clinician relationships.

Factors influencing your journey  

Regardless of type of practice you pursue, there are certain factors which will influence your experience. How you grow within your profession will be shaped by the mentors and support network that you surround yourself with. Your network can range from having a formal mentor, to a trusted colleague or even peer groups. It is important to remember that it is impossible for an individual to know everything – and even seasoned clinicians tend to find themselves in situations where they are facing uncertainty. You shouldn’t hesitate to reach out to your support network to help with keeping things in perspective and to allow you to learn from others.

Your daily experiences will be greatly impacted by the environment that you work in. Working in a space which has a supportive and collaborative team culture is an invaluable asset, as it will ensure your day runs smoothly and help you to navigate a stressful day more effectively. You should be able to clearly communicate your needs and workflow habits confidently with your team. Learn to recognise both your strengths and limitations, and don’t hesitate to utilise internal or external referral systems when you find yourself in situations where patient management falls outside your scope. It may take a while to find your feet as you initially step into the workforce – it’s important to be vocal about what type of provider you aspire to be and the type of practice culture you wish to cultivate or be a part of. You should also be able to recognise and take a step back to re-evaluate your position if you find yourself in an environment which fails to meet your basic requirements or if it doesn’t align with your values. This will impact your outlook on your work along with protecting your peace of mind and overall wellbeing.

Despite the setting that you’re working in, having strong communication skills is non-negotiable. This is an area which deserves equal, if not greater, attention than our technical skills. Patient management and retention is directly influenced by this. However, the focus in this area should not just be on patient communication, but also on communication with the people we work with daily. Confidence in our interpersonal skills lays the foundations for our ability to build on rapport and to navigate around challenging conversations that we may need to inevitably have if something doesn’t go as planned – be it with our team or the patient. These challenging conversations may range from managing dentally anxious patients to explaining certain treatment limitations, addressing dissatisfaction or internal conflict management.

The dental profession is one which can be physically, mentally and emotionally demanding. We find ourselves working long hours, seeing back-to-back patients, and constantly focused on precision in our work. This can take a toll on you if a proper work-life balance is not managed. This is an area which can get overlooked – it is imperative to set boundaries with your time. This would entail developing a routine, learning to leave work at work and prioritise your leisure time to unwind outside of dentistry - be it spending time with your family/friends or investing time in a hobby. If you do in any unforeseen circumstances start to notice signs of burnout – be prepared to take a step back and take the time out to look after yourself. Doing so empowers you to show up as the best version of yourself, both professionally and personally.

Our profession is dynamic and full of possibilities - one which gives us great flexibility in the path that we aspire to take. Enjoy the process, even if it starts to feel uncertain and remember to reflect on your journey. Take responsibility to look out for yourself (including your peers) and be open to any opportunities that allow your growth.

Since graduating from La Trobe University, Saba has gained experience working across both the public and private dental sectors in Adelaide. She values the variety and breadth of exposure that each setting offers in her role as a general dentist. Saba is committed to delivering patient centred care, with a strong focus on prevention and long-term oral health outcomes. While she enjoys all aspects of general dentistry, she has developed a particular interest in restorative dentistry.