Thank you so much, Eric. That means a lot! The greatest gift for me is knowing I can impact people. I always joke when people cry when talking to me, and I say that I love “making people cry” because it means they feel impacted. 🙂

Your story of that patient and his gratitude is what we are all searching for. If we could have felt more of that in practice, I think we would have felt much more fulfilled by the work. It means so much to hear that. I’m glad you didn’t waste years in regret. I was never the same way. It is what made us who we are today and, as you said, what allows us to appreciate the things you love now!

There is always hope! Love it! In fact, positive psychology studies show that having hope makes us feel happier.

Thanks so much, Laura!!

In regard to the title of this blog post, I can’t honestly say that I ever regretted becoming a dentist… because I know I helped out a lot of people throughout the years of my practice and usually was very appreciated. I’ll never forget one patient telling me (after a very difficult implant restoration case), “If you ever wonder if you’ve made a difference in someone’s life, I want you to know that you have. I can’t thank you enough.”. That meant more to me than he probably ever realized.

Yet at the same time, I had also reached the point where I knew it was time to leave the profession. I was completely burned out. I’m happy I had the strength and courage to ask myself the exact questions you speak about.

And now, life is so much better.

Thank you so much for all that you do to inspire and encourage so many people. And most of all, giving hope.

“There is always hope.” – Aragon (‘Lord of the Rings’)