Dentists commit to lifelong learning when they enter the profession, and this is optimised when working within a community of peers. The formal and informal benefits of peer-to-peer learning and mentoring can be a real lifeline, both professionally and personally. For many, the special privilege to be in a field with such a richly diverse group of like-minded colleagues, who have equal passion about the science and practice of dentistry, is one of the chief benefits.
Much emphasis has been placed on the importance of mentoring to support dentists throughout the experience of qualifying and beyond.[i] As newly qualified dentists emerge into the world of real clinical practice – perhaps working within a disciplinary team for the first time, perhaps treating vulnerable patients living with complex issues, perhaps facing difficulties in managing some patients’ expectations – a supportive network of mentors and professional peers is vital.
Individuals generously giving their time to support others contributes to a supportive culture, which improves mental health and resilience.[ii] Such a network not only keeps knowledge fresh; it enriches professions that adopt the practice.[iii]
Mentoring – a two-way street
Mentors often speak of the benefits of the relationship to their own learning. Apart from the rewards of helping someone succeed and grow, the mentee may raise awareness of new ideas that inspire a mentor to pursue surprising and fruitful new avenues. The lines can be blurred between mentor and mentee, especially as careers develop. A positive mentoring relationship is dynamic; activity is sometimes led by mentee, sometimes by mentor.[iv]
Formal or informal career mentors can help emerging professionals set boundaries and aid understanding in developing an effective and sustainable work ethic. A mentor can model the importance of diligence and consistency in the workplace, but can be helpful also in terms of managing workload, and teaching coping skills when times get tough.
As a mentor, the relationship can build your leadership skills, helping you to become a better manager and team member. Interpersonal skill acquisition works both ways. Both parties will have a different set of experiences, may be of greatly different ages, and may have a different language or culture, all of which is beneficial when developing the flexibility to communicate with a diverse range of people as a professional.
Soft skills
As a mentee, the relationship with a mentor can broaden your horizons, and offer insight into managing different situations, with an additional personal element that can be invaluable. Sometimes the ‘soft skills’ gained, such as interpersonal communication, are as valuable as information exchange. Interpersonal skills are essential when working with patients and colleagues, and are an enormous advantage in career development.[v]
Empathetic communication and active listening are not only vital in terms of building trust and rapport with patients, resulting in greater adherence to advice and a better understanding of treatments discussed;[vi] they also improve teamwork. There’s no shame in admitting communication skills don’t always come naturally. The good news is, skills can be learned and honed throughout your career. Support from other professionals who have struggled or are still struggling can be a great bonus.[vii]
And finally, many leadership qualities are defined as soft skills. These include self-awareness, courageousness, empathy, the willingness and ability to take responsibility for actions as well as the consequences, a growth mindset, the ability to remain calm under pressure, to negotiate and resolve conflict, and much more. Leaders model behaviour for team members, and so are important de facto mentors – sometimes without realising the extent of their influence.[viii]
The value of peer-to-peer learning
Significant learning can be shown to take place during peer-to-peer engagements, and the benefits extend well beyond an educational setting. Co-learning deepens the value of the knowledge and understanding gained. Peer learners have a similar cognitive framework. Learning experiences are more likely to be informal, and the experience of gaining knowledge from a peer tends to feel safer; mentees can ask a question without feeling foolish.[ix]
Learning from the best
Rodericks Dental Partners recognises the importance of support through mentorship and peer to peer engagement. They have adopted a unique structure that focuses on support and development that goes beyond the foundation training year. The FD+1 programme provides dedicated support, guidance and development opportunities to facilitate a successful transition to the next stage of a rewarding career. Every cohort of FD+1 has opportunities for networking and peer review. Additionally, all dentists joining the team benefit from a dedicated clinical support lead, gain numerous growth opportunities inherent in a generous network and have the opportunity to mentor others.
There are so many exciting growth opportunities through mentorship, as well as a wealth of resources in the dental community. The sharing of knowledge and experience is designed to enable the development and enrichment of professional skills. Benefitting from a large network of peers and dedicated mentors as you develop clinical as well as soft skills can be of huge benefit when launching your career.
To find out more about what it’s like to work with Rodericks Dental Partners and to discuss current vacancies, you can visit www.rodericksdentalpartners.co.uk/careers
[i] Nathwani S, Rahman N. GROWing in dentistry: mentoring the dental professional. Br Dent J. 2022 Feb;232(4):261-266. doi: 10.1038/s41415-022-3979-2. Epub 2022 Feb 25. PMID: 35217747; PMCID: PMC8874297.
[ii] Sigursteinsdottir H, Karlsdottir FB. Does Social Support Matter in the Workplace? Social Support, Job Satisfaction, Bullying and Harassment in the Workplace during COVID-19. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2022 Apr 13;19(8):4724. doi: 10.3390/ijerph19084724. PMID: 35457589; PMCID: PMC9029627.
[iii] Crowley, E. and Overton, L. (2021) Learning and skills at work survey 2021. London: Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development.
[iv] Burgess, A., van Diggele, C., Roberts, C. et al. Planning peer assisted learning (PAL) activities in clinical schools. BMC Med Educ 20 (Suppl 2), 453 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12909-020-02289-w
[v] Indeed.com. Interpersonal Communication and Its Importance at Work. September 2023. Available at: https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/importance-of-interpersonal-communication. Accessed April 2024.
[vi] Butt MF. Approaches to building rapport with patients. Clin Med (Lond). 2021 Nov;21(6):e662-e663. doi: 10.7861/clinmed.2021-0264. Epub 2021 Oct 12. PMID: 34642167; PMCID: PMC8806294.
[vii] Gentry WA, Weber TJ, Sadri G. Empathy in the Workplace A Tool for Effective Leadership. Center for Creative Leadership White Paper. 2007. Available at: https://cclinnovation.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/empathyintheworkplace.pdf Accessed April 2024
[viii] Wike E. 20 Leadership Qualities that Make a Great Leader (With Tips). Indeed.com. June 2023. Available at: https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/leadership-qualities-that-make-a-great-leader Accessed April 2024.
[ix] Rajadurai S, Sandhu R, Hockaday M, Park S. The Role of Peer Teachers in Dental Skills Education – A Phenomenological Study. August 2023. Journal of Curriculum and Teaching 12(4):135
