The proverb ‘the student has become the master’ can be found all over the world, with various iterations coming from ancient Taoist philosophy, Leonardo da Vinci and Star Wars, among many more. The maxim implies that, through diligent study and excellent teaching, the student will grow their skills beyond that of their mentor and will, in time, be able to pass on their knowledge and experience to the next student in the cycle.
For dental professionals, delivering excellent treatments is just the beginning of a long and varied career. As confidence and ability improves, clinicians may feel inclined to become a teacher themselves. A sideways career move in lecturing can be a fulfilling experience.
Why teach?
There are many reasons to consider a role in education and supporting the learning and development of others. For those who enjoy sharing expertise, are passionate about learning, and want to support the next generation of dental practitioners, then picking up some lecturing opportunities is highly recommended. It is a chance to pass on the knowledge and skills that you have been taught and since honed in the daily workflow; from unique patient cases to complex clinical challenges, sharing your insights can illuminate some of the advanced techniques and technologies that can lead to clinical success.
As dentistry can be a fraught occupation, it is vital that dental practitioners share their experiences, however difficult and unattractive, to support one another and overcome problems together. By pivoting into teaching, you can reassure younger dentists and students by acknowledging the challenges you have faced, how you overcame them, and any tips that can reduce feelings of anxiety and stress in the workplace.
Find your class
Teaching and lecturing opportunities can come in many shapes and forms. For first timers, leading a study club, a hands-on workshop or a webinar can be a great gateway into the world of an educator as these may focus on smaller groups of students. A progression from there can be appearances in front of live audiences at dental events and conferences, engaging with a larger crowd.
For those that are looking for a career shift, part- and full-time teaching in universities can be a rewarding experience – professionally and financially. Juggling in-practice clinical work with teaching sounds full-on, but by finding the right balance you can let the two disciplines support each other. In this sense, dental students may enjoy recent cases taken from your daily workflow, bridging the transition from university to dental practice.
Be inspirational
American author John C. Maxwell stated that “people don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care”, emphasising the importance of demonstrating genuine care and concern for others as much as the knowledge and expertise.[i] Dental practitioners who have as much a passion for people as they do for their work are therefore ideal candidates for teaching, encouraging greater engagement with their audience and improving their confidence. By valuing the wellbeing and being invested in the success of your students, you can create a supportive learning environment in which dental students or younger dentists will thrive in.
Feel empowered
It’s not just students who you can empower – by becoming a lecturer or teacher, you can feel empowered in your own work. Showing others is the best way to realise how much you know. With this mindset, returning to the dental practice can feel more energising as you assess each experience with a patient as a potential reference point for future classes or talks. Similarly, you can ask patients if they consent to their treatment being used as a case for dental students to observe or learn from. This may improve practitioner-patient relationship if the patient feels like they are getting the best possible treatment – if it is being referenced and shown to other professionals then it must be a first-class treatment.
Members of the Association of Dental Implantology (ADI) can get a taste for lecturing at the Members’ National Forum in November 2025. This unique opportunity sees dentists with a passion for implants presenting topics to their peers within two parallel programmes. A full day jam-packed with interesting and relevant information, members can accrue CPD hours whilst sharing their research and experiences for an all-round beneficial day.
The sideways step into lecturing can open up new opportunities and skill sets for dental professionals, allowing invaluable knowledge and experience to be passed to the next generation. Go from student to master and consider a step into the world of teaching today.
ADI Members’ National Forum
Saturday 22nd November 2025
For more information about the ADI, visit www.adi.org.uk
Join today
Author: Amit Patel
Amit Patel, President of The Association of Dental Implantology (ADI), is registered with the General Dental Council as a specialist in periodontics. His special interests are dental implants, regenerative and aesthetic periodontics. Amit graduated from the University of Liverpool and completed a four year specialist training programme in Periodontics at Guy’s, King’s & St Thomas’ Dental Institute.
[i] www.goodreads.com. (n.d.). A quote by John C. Maxwell. [online] Available at: https://www.goodreads.com/quotes/1358055-people-don-t-care-how-much-you-know-until-they-know.
