It’s so sad, right? I was shocked by Kate Spade, and then crushed to hear about Anthony Bourdain. It really goes on to confirm what you’re saying about outward appearances. Your point is perfect: let’s start to acknowledge the existence of a problem without the fear of ostracism. We really need that in our field. Of course, it also makes me wonder if that has any link to the high suicide rate in the dental field.

I love your definition of success! How lucky you must feel to be able to say that in your lifetime. May have taken a little longer than you planned to get there (that’s probably true for many,) but you got there. That’s what counts!

Thanks, Laura, for your encouragement regarding my journey. I must say, that I have told many people — as morbid as this may sound — that if I were to die tomorrow, they can rejoice in the fact that I was doing something that I absolutely love to do. To me, that is true success.

Eric, thanks. it’s interesting to see the perspective of people from outside the profession. In that case, people don’t know what it’s like to be a dentist (you could say this for many careers.) All they see is how great our lives appear to be. Often times they are, but often times they aren’t. I get frustrated when they convey the attitude that we don’t have the right to complain, or get annoyed, or have real, human emotions and thoughts. They think we have these high paying jobs that almost remove any right to feel something other than complete gratitude for how “good we have it.” It’s so judgmental, and unfair.

From inside the profession, I don’t really get it. I think it probably comes from the “group think” mentality. It can be threatening for us to question or shed light on the negative aspects of the job.I don’t know why it is threatening, but it’s the only reason I can think of. I’d love to know any other theories out there. I think we could take some responsibility for not connecting with others when we need that, but it’s also understandable why we don’t.

That is so great that your new field is completely open and supportive. That must also be a sign that you are in the right place!!

For some unknown reason, many dentists are made to feel like they have failed if they have questions, doubts, and struggles with their career.

It became very apparent to me when I attended a conference in the field that I am currently in. It’s an extremely competitive field, yet I was amazed how everyone supported everyone else. I definitely got the feeling that “we are all in this together”, and you could reach out to anyone for help and encouragement.

Maybe I was the one to blame, but I never felt this way in dentistry.