In all areas of dentistry, both experience and passion matter. Knowledge and skills are crucial, but they are only truly optimised over time when an individual is dedicated to honing their craft. Among clinicians, experience is integral to delivering exceptional patient care, particularly in complex clinical situations. They also need to be passionate about being the best they can be to propel professional progression and continuously elevate their skills. Among practice management staff, the two attributes combine to ensure that they can run the business efficiently and compassionately on a day-to-day basis. Both experience and passion are just as important when considering the professional service providers that you engage with to help run and drive your practice forward.
Enhanced clinical outcomes
Within the context of dental care provision, dentists will often build confidence over time in their skills and their abilities. This confidence is central to achieving enhanced competence, while also encouraging individuals to successfully develop and grow.[i] The result is a higher standard of dentistry and better patient care. In several dental disciplines, including endodontics, the literature also associates greater practitioner experience with improved treatment outcomes.[ii] There is also evidence that clinician training and experience has a role to play in the success of implant surgery.[iii]
Further to this, their passion for patients’ wellbeing will influence the patient journey. Studies have shown individuals to appreciate compassionate and empathetic interactions from their dental professional, leading to increased patient satisfaction with care.[iv] In fact, how dentists communicate with patients is a cornerstone of building trust and rapport, which is also key to enhancing treatment outcomes and patient satisfaction.[v] In addition, there is evidence that passion and grit are attributes that fuel professional and personal development.[vi] This skill progression is likely to contribute to increased patient choice and an improved treatment workflow too.
However, the dentist is not the only member of the dental collective whose expertise and attitude will impact patients in some way. For example, where dentists, dental hygienists and dental therapists have the necessary training, experience and willingness to work effectively together, this too can improve health outcomes for patients.[vii] Even beyond practice team members, the skills and actions of anyone who supports the business as a service or product provider will influence the quality of patient care available.
A unique environment
Whether considering your consumables stockist, your equipment manufacturer, or your HR advisor, working with professionals who are experienced in their field will yield many advantages for your practice. These will likely include increased efficiency and reliability, as well as a reduced risk of errors, complications or costly mistakes.
These benefits are compounded when the company you liaise with has a proficient knowledge of dentistry and the many nuances that the industry presents. Dentistry is unique in many aspects of how it works, with very strict and specific regulations to adhere to. Anyone advising the practice must be able to appreciate factors like how the NHS contract works, what clinicians need to deliver exceptional patient care and so much more. Only then can they effectively tailor their service to meet your business’s needs.
Plus, you work hard to keep your practice operating as smoothly and successfully as possible. You should be looking to work with partners who share this sentiment and show the same passion, commitment and pride in their own work.
A critical patient-practice link
All of this is particularly important when considering the practice finances. No business owner wants to work with an accountant that doesn’t understand how their typical income and outgoings work. Similarly, principals need to consider the payment plans they offer patients and the ability of their provider to tailor these solutions accordingly.
The benefits of working with an experienced provider, with team members who really care about helping your business are multiple. You will enjoy working with professionals who are hugely knowledgeable about the dental industry, who understand the challenges you face every day and who can proactively help you overcome the complexities for the good of your practice and your patients.
When you choose IndepenDent Care Plans, you will unlock access to their 30 years of experience in dentistry. We are passionate about driving your business growth and offer uniquely customised and practice-branded solutions to bring you regular monthly income, improved patient attendance and increased treatment uptake. We also make switching provider quick and easy, with dedicated Business Development Consultants on hand to guide you through the process and start making your dental plans work harder for you.
The foundations of success
It takes a lot to build a successful dental practice. To deliver exceptional patient care while growing the business, you need passion for what you do and the experience to back it up. The service providers you choose to work with should be held to the same standards and with the right partners, you will see your practice really thrive.
For more information and to book a no-obligation consultation, please visit ident/co.uk or call 01463 222 999
Celebrating 30 years in UK dentistry
Author: Dr Robert Donald, IndepenDent Care Plans Director
[i] Fine PD, Leung A, Bentall C, Louca C. The impact of confidence on clinical dental practice. Eur J Dent Educ. 2019 May;23(2):159-167. doi: 10.1111/eje.12415. Epub 2019 Jan 28. PMID: 30585682.
[ii] Iqbal A. The Factors Responsible for Endodontic Treatment Failure in the Permanent Dentitions of the Patients Reported to the College of Dentistry, the University of Aljouf, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. J Clin Diagn Res. 2016 May;10(5):ZC146-8. doi: 10.7860/JCDR/2016/14272.7884. Epub 2016 May 1. PMID: 27437351; PMCID: PMC4948527.
[iii] Sonkar, J., Maney, P., Yu, Q. et al. Retrospective study to identify associations between clinician training and dental implant outcome and to compare the use of MATLAB with SAS. Int J Implant Dent 5, 28 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1186/s40729-019-0182-6
[iv] Young LB, Johnsen DC. A Typology of Empathic Communication Strategies in Dental Visits. Eur J Dent Educ. 2025 May;29(2):410-417. doi: 10.1111/eje.13081. Epub 2025 Feb 20. PMID: 39973234; PMCID: PMC12006693.
[v] Ho JCY, Chai HH, Lo ECM, Huang MZ, Chu CH. Strategies for Effective Dentist-Patient Communication: A Literature Review. Patient Prefer Adherence. 2024 Jul 1;18:1385-1394. doi: 10.2147/PPA.S465221. PMID: 38974679; PMCID: PMC11225999.
[vi] Sigmundsson, Hermundur & Haga, Monika. (2024). Passion and grit in individuals with high levels of growth mindset are different than in individuals who have low growth mindset. Acta Psychologica. 250. 10.1016/j.actpsy.2024.104480.
[vii] Preshaw, P., Minnery, H., Dunn, I. and Bissett, S. (2025), Teamworking in Dentistry: The Importance for Dentists, Dental Hygienists and Dental Therapists to Work Effectively Together—A Narrative Review. Int J Dent Hygiene. https://doi.org/10.1111/idh.12874
