Some professions can be more anxiety-inducing than others. This is especially true when your role is defined by having others in your care.
It’s often the case that dentists are supposed to be a source of confidence and solidarity for the patients they look after. Therefore, if you’re experiencing self-doubt in this line of work, it can significantly hinder your ability to care for others.
You must build your confidence at the earliest opportunity as a trainee dentist. Not only this, but you need to maintain your levels of self-belief throughout your career trajectory. Here are some ways to help you achieve positive results here.
Prolonged courses
Even the most experienced dentists realise that they can always evolve their skillset. They won’t rest on their laurels, and they will respect that the learning process never stops.
You can do the same by working with the London Dental Institute, which has a great range of orthodontic courses for you to immerse yourself in. They provide unique postgraduate qualifications that take orthodontics learning content to a higher level. Their materials are available 24/7 and can be accessed at your leisure so that you can schedule your studying at any time.
Resources such as these go beyond the offering of 12-month courses. Live webinars can also be accessed, enabling you to nurture your affinity for further learning over time. Plenty more guidance and information are available also, so it’s worth exploring this rich range of learning opportunities yourself.
Mentor Figures
No hard worker is an island. Such is the case for professions where a high level of expertise and knowledge is required.
If entrepreneurs can benefit from working directly with dedicated mentors, dentists can surely be worthy of this kind of help. Not only do you gain insights into the skills you require, but mentor figures can instil you with qualities beyond your immediate talents. You can learn about the guiding principles every dentist must have, for example, to thrive with patient care.
The best mentors in dentistry aren’t over-controlling either. Instead, they subtly influence you to recognise your potential and thus realise it for yourself. They add finesse to your sense of self-awareness and support you in charting your own path through the field of dentistry. Look for those traits in a mentor, and your career will benefit enormously.
Learn from Feedback
Every patient or peer has a different personality and may have varying thoughts on your service. Tapping into their feedback could be crucial to developing your skillset.
Pay equal attention to both positive and negative feedback to better things. All patients in your care should experience a warm and inviting atmosphere that puts them at ease. Peers may analyse your technique more closely. There are many nuances that feedback could address, so critically analysing every facet of your performance should help you to enhance the quality of service you provide.
These reviews can be found on your practice’s website, dedicated smartphone apps, or Google+ features. Cast your net wide when sourcing these comments and consider learning a thing or two from the reasonable ones. Remember, because dentists need to keep learning, you should always consider yourself a trainee dentist in spirit.
