Behind every exceptional dentist, is a great mentor 

  Posted by: Dental Design      27th April 2021

This past year, you will have learned what it takes to be an exceptional dentist. Clinical skills and knowledge, of course, also the ability to problem solve, to be creative, to be able to focus on the day-to-day and look ahead at the same time, anticipating what your patients might need in the future. An exceptional dentist will lead and inspire a great team, with a shared goal to always to do more and do everything better. 

What this past year has emphasised is that dentistry is about people, the people who you work with and who you care for. A happy, productive practice will be motivated to offer quality treatment that keeps patients coming back; modern patients have high expectations and ever-evolving needs which must be met. For example, more are choosing to invest in elective restorative treatments to improve their smile. These empowered patients aren’t waiting until they have a problem to make an appointment, but there will also be people who were impacted when practices were closed during the first national lockdown and now need a stable, enduring solution to fix an issue.

It is likely, then, that you will be increasing your service provision, so that you can help more patients, without having to refer them out. One treatment we can expect to see an increased demand for, post pandemic, is implant therapy – although implants have been a highly desirable, long-term alternative to removable dentures for some time, offering strength and function as well natural, beautiful aesthetics.

If you are seeking further training to offer implant therapy, look for quality programmes that will give you more than just instruction. Seek out providers that will connect you to a mentor. If dentistry is about people, a mentor is someone who every exceptional dentist needs. Having a mentor can help you focus on the present and the future, enabling you to identify and achieve your future goals. Even after you’ve learned how to place implants safely, a great mentor will be there to remind you that this is just the beginning of your journey. The learning won’t end when the course ends, as every case is just another opportunity to develop skills and knowledge, to grow in confidence and learn how to solve more complex problems.

A mentor will share their own expertise, so you will not only build on your strengths but also get guidance on how to overcome your weaknesses. A great dentist will always be open to feedback because they appreciate the value of maintaining a broader perspective and considering other points of view. The very best mentors know that this means an exchange of knowledge and ideas, listening to you, as well as talking.

When you gain a mentor, you are giving a clear signal to the rest of the practice team that you want to create a culture of professional and personal development. When your colleagues see that you are willing to grow, learn and keep striving to be better, this will motivate them too, improving morale was well as performance and productivity. With opportunities to enrich their careers, you will both engage and retain good people. Once your practice starts offering implants, in order to achieve successful clinical outcomes and efficiently support workflows, the whole team will need to add to their own knowledge and skills set. They will be taking their lead from you, meaning you become a mentor, as well as a mentee. 

Training that gives you access to a mentor will provide ongoing benefits – a mentor will be a constant source of inspiration. For quality training in implant therapy, and mentorship that will continue long after the programme has been completed, One to One Education will teach you how to place implants correctly, safely and confidently, with programmes delivered by highly experienced practitioners, instructors and mentors. This approach is about more than acquiring skills; it’s about developing the mindset that there are never limits on learning. The One to One Dental Education Implant Programme covers everything from treatment planning to surgical execution, in state-of-the-art premises adapted to be COVID-safe. It also offers the chance to make new connections that will give added value to your experience. To be an exceptional dentist, leading a thriving, patient-focussed practice, a mentor within your professional network can make a real difference.

Mentors will enrich your career and your practice. If you’re not sure how to find one, combine your search for a brilliant mentor with training to expand your treatment provision. A mentor will reignite your passion for the new, and help you be a better dentist. When training is delivered by a provider that understands the value of ongoing mentoring, this will allow you to deliver world-class treatment and elevated patient care, supported by a practice that has been empowered to find ways to always do better.

To reserve your place or to find out more, please visit https://www.implantcourse.co.uk/our-courses/project-one-7kpfx or call 020 7486 0000