A career you can really thrive in

A career in dentistry should be inspiring, challenging and rewarding. The right approach to progression will empower dentists to continuously advance, whatever that might look like for them. Stagnation can creep in when you’re not paying close attention, but there are some simple steps to help you stay proactive.

Recognising potential to excel

It can be difficult to recognise when a career is stagnating, or when you are not reaching your full potential. Although it will look different to different people, it often means someone has become overly comfortable in their role, perhaps even a little bored. It can apply when performance is good – but not great – or when the rate of learning and development declines. Individuals may also lose some of their passion and enthusiasm for what they do, no longer so inclined to go that extra mile for patients or colleagues.

While an off day is perfectly normal for us all, if you find yourself feeling this way more often than not, it’s vital to do something about it. With just a few simple steps you can take your dental career from stagnant to thriving.

Overcoming career stagnation 

To overcome such a situation and reverse its effects on your career, it’s important to acknowledge stagnation and be proactive in making a change. The below are some steps you might consider: Assess your progression in the last year

What did you achieve? How does this compare to what you had hoped to achieve? If you’re left underwhelmed at this reflection, set yourself a goal for the year to come in order to reignite your commitment to advancement. Maybe you want to have started treating certain types of cases or taken on new responsibilities within your practice. Your goals can go beyond the practice too – maybe you want to move somewhere new or experience life and work in a more rural or city-based location.

Identify skills to learn or expand

 As a dentist, much of your career progression will be dictated by your clinical abilities. Learning new skills and/or focusing your remit will help you unlock your potential to become an expert or even a specialist in your chosen discipline. This should be approached systematically for the best results – identify where your techniques or confidence are lacking and concentrate training in these areas.

Give back

 Beyond your regular work commitments, it can be hugely rewarding and fulfilling to partake in some form of volunteer work. Giving back to your local community or your profession can deliver new experiences while also diversifying your skills. What’s more, volunteering is also associated with increased job prospects for the future,[i] potentially leading to exciting new opportunities in the coming months or years. It could also provide a gratifying new avenue for your business, perhaps offering dental care to the homeless community once a month or visiting a local care home to provide domiciliary care to residents. You’ll be doing new things, meeting new people and broadening your perspectives all at the same.

Hold yourself accountable

 We are all guilty of complaining about things and then not taking any actions to change them. Hold yourself accountable for moving your career forwards by setting a deadline for your desired progression or goal. This will give you a timeframe to aim for and encourage you to be proactive.

New you, new environment

It is natural for most dentists to work in different practices over the course of their careers. A move may be motivated directly by career progression, or by income potential, physical location, work-life balance or various other reasons. If you are considering such a step, it’s important to ensure that the new environment will be conducive to your continuing professional ambitions.

For a new and exciting opportunity to really thrive in your career, consider joining Clyde Munro Dental Group. Not only is it the leading provider of excellent dental care in Scotland dedicated to patients, but it also delivers proactive and structured opportunities for dentists who want to excel. From a purpose-built, cutting-edge training academy to a dedicated Clinical Support Team, first-class practice facilities and an ethos for excellence in all areas, Clyde Munro is an ideal fit for many ambitious dentists.

Be all that you can be

 Life is better when lived to the full. Dentistry can be a hugely rewarding and exciting profession so make the most of it by actively driving your career forward. By taking charge of your goals, learning new skills and seizing new opportunities, you can unlock your full potential for a truly dynamic and enjoyable career in dentistry.

To find out more about the career development opportunities available at Clyde Munro, please visit https://careers.clydemunrodental.com/.

[i] Royal Voluntary Service. Kickstarting a new volunteering revolution. Social mobility: unleashing the power of volunteering. 2021. https://www.royalvoluntaryservice.org.uk/news/volunteering/volunteering-key-to-improving-job-prospects/ [Accessed January 2025]