Dentistry is challenging and exciting field, especially as a student coming towards the end of their studies or for someone who has just recently graduated. There are moments where we are struggling to just get by, and times when we feel like we’re making the most of our studies or careers. The reality is, just like how many of us began facing real-world challenges after completing high school, there will be more to learn outside of tertiary institutions or workplaces.

For many students, it can be difficult to connect or look after our wellbeing in such a competitive field as ours. Hurdles for new graduates can include managing high workloads, dealing with changes or conflicts, or even challenging your own knowledge and understanding. Often, we operate with ambiguity where expectations are not always clearly defined. These grey areas can be difficult to navigate, particularly for new or supervised trainees in the health industry. 

Dental school 

Dental schools across Australia require students to undertake integrated learning in both theory and clinical practice. There are many stimulating opportunities to learn but it can be easy to get caught up in everything else happening around us – being away from family, financial pressures, adjusting to new living arrangements and stressing about assessments. This can have a significant impact on the body and mind. Placements and rotations are standard components of our education, and many may be placed in public or private health facilities to gain more experience. While essential for professional growth, this immersive environment can often become overwhelming. Trainees are tasked with applying complex theory to clinical practice in new and unpredictable environments. This can lead to a sense of confusion and anxiety which no doubt takes time to overcome.

Managing competing expectations 

As a final year dental student, I have experienced firsthand the struggle between our own expectations versus the ones placed on us. There is an awkward gap between competence and confidence, knowledge and experience. It is easy to slip into a negative mindset when integrating everything we know, do, have, and want in real time. For this reason, dentistry can be an intimidating profession, and we often find ourselves questioning our choices or decisions as we progress in our studies and careers. Before I started my dentistry course, I didn’t realise that we would be expected to conform to the protocols that are in place while we’re in clinic. I can see now why it’s a necessity and these protocols are there to guide us and protect us. On the other hand, when we start working in the real word, there’s no doubt in my mind that we will have more freedom and autonomy and so we’ll see that the habits and practices that were ingrained in us during our undergraduate studies may no longer be as applicable - there are many right ways of proceeding in this field. There are different teachings of theoretical principles, clinical procedures, workplaces guidelines, clinical models, patient management, and other day-to-day logistics. I have learnt that it is important to remain open about our concerns and speak with other colleagues. We are not alone and can learn different approaches as long as there is accountability. 

Wellbeing 

Another factor to consider is our mental health and wellbeing. It is becoming more and more evident in our profession that we need to address the wellbeing of young practitioners. Despite having access to more resources and technology, there remains a lack of tailored support for those that are new to this field. Whether it’s during placements, coursework, employment, or personal life, a lack of balance and meaningful sense of community has led to clinical burnout. This is something I have seen first-hand. Some people believe this is a term that is thrown around in modern society having become a common experience. Although personal habits may direct its prevalence, structural and systemic issues also need to be addressed in order to effectively manage the problem.

We are often taught to prioritize sleep hygiene, daily nutrition, and physical health. We are reminded to maintain professional boundaries, build relationships, and stay resilient. However, we are not always equipped with the time and considerations to uphold these ideals. Students and new graduates share these frustrations. May it be academic, professional, or personal experiences – when problems arise, they are not always acknowledged or acted upon by governing bodies due to complicated channels of communication or a lack of understanding.

A lot of this could be as a result of the extraordinary global challenges we have encountered in the last decade. From humanitarian crises and a global pandemic to generational anxiety regarding finances, digitalisation, and politics – there is a lot of uncertainty even in our day-to-day lives. As a result, significant impacts and effects have been realised in the health industry, and in particular dentistry. While we were able to enhance training with online routines and communication unfortunately students were pulled away from more hands-on experience at the time. Although we adapted to these disruptions, some of the same expectations and guidelines are still in place at several institutions and this has left many feeling underprepared or overlooked regarding our future. Upon reflection, lost clinical time and training opportunities have been an afterthought following the ‘Covid years’. There are still many new graduates that are struggling with the after-effects, they are only left to catch up and find their place in our rapidly evolving field.

In this profession, emotional understanding is an essential skill. There are numerous challenges thrown at us including academic failure, clinical incompetence, professional judgment, grief, and financial strain just to name a few. When layered with workplace, patient, and personal expectations, this can become quite overwhelming. Understanding and acknowledging our vulnerabilities is the first step to overcoming these hurdles. In particular, this can be difficult to navigate for a young practitioner having to take it all in while studying or adapting to a new environment.

We know there are methods to cope – mindfulness, reflection, networking, social experiences – but implementing this is harder than it sounds. Time has become a difficult commodity, we are expected to show up every day, perform to our best abilities, be productive and meet deadlines, and keep pushing if we face inconveniences. For some, this may be possible – it may be a habit. For others, it can be driven by perfectionism, a pursuit which can often lead to imposter syndrome. In these moments, having the right support system is crucial for personal and professional growth. This can often happen during times of transition e.g. graduation. Even though I am graduating in a few months, this still feels like a vague concept rather than a clear milestone. I felt the same way when completing secondary schooling, and this sense of unease can be similar for tertiary education or post-graduate opportunities. Our expectations shift as our career progresses, and processing this change takes time. It’s okay to not know what happens next or not be ready.

At the same time, there may be other pressures – leaving family and friends, relocating to a new place, navigating financial literacy, or just dealing with life. This is a shared feeling during clinical experience, and it can provide an insight into what our professional careers may hold. While valuable, it can also be taxing. Loneliness is commonly encountered by young practitioners, especially in rural and remote sites. Making new connections may be daunting at first, but it is the best antidote to face a lot of these struggles. Proactive engagement in community groups, social and professional events, and with local attractions is a key step to integrating yourself to the new environment.

We are all human 

In a field where we always strive for the best, we must not lose sight of our human element. We learn through our communication, humanity, teamwork, training, and leadership. These are the skills we have learnt from our profession, but they are also tools we can utilise to take care of ourselves. We must learn to apply them to set boundaries, seek help, and work toward reform. The kindness that we portray to our patients must also be shown at an individual level – how else can we continue to spark our goals? There are constant reminders, such as through Dental Protection, to take positive steps to wellbeing. Members can access counselling, further education, interactive media, and so much more. Dental Protection offers a hub of resources for you as a student or clinician. With the latest resources and updates, their flexible service can enable performance at your fullest capacity. Remember, you are not alone. 

You can access wellbeing resources from Dental Protection here: https://www.dentalprotection.org/australia/wellbeing