OMG — That takes the cake! (Your Thanksgiving story). I probably would have felt guilty as well. I had a similar situation (except the patient wasn’t drunk)… A patient of the other dentist in the practice called me on a Saturday morning, having broken his front tooth before he was leaving for a wedding (of course!), He couldn’t reach my partner. I happened to be about two hours away from the office, helping a friend move, and didn’t even have my own car with me. There was nothing I could do, and I felt bad. I told the person to try and find a dentist nearby who had Saturday office hours and maybe they could be seen there — not much more I could do.

Years later, in speaking with my liability insurance company, I was told that a “true” dental emergency only involves three things: severe pain, swelling, or excessive bleeding. Breaking a tooth or losing a temporary crown is not considered an emergency… Still, I always would “stress out” if a patient called me in a panic, not being able to wait until Monday for me to see them…for even the mildest of “emergencies”.

Hi, yes, I quit dentistry after 10 years in practice. That was 6 years ago. Now I help others to work through their dental careers and figure out what is right for them. If you click on this link below, you will see where it all starts, and the you can move through the posts and see all the details of my experiences. You might find it helpful!

https://lolabees.me/2011/11/28/10-reasons-your-dentist-probably-hates-you-too/

Eric, thank you! All those things you mention are clues. And by the way, just reading your description of Saturday night at 11 pm gives me a hint of anxiety. I remember that feeling all too well. I’ll never forget having to reason with a drunk person on Thanksgiving evening who lost her dentures that there was nothing I could do to help her, short of coming to her house to help her look for her dentures. And I still felt guilty for not being able to help her.

Fraggs- that support is so crucial. I know a lot of people who choose to stay stuck because their spouse doesn’t understand and won’t support it. Your description is spot on. A lot of people could learn from you!

JB, this is so wonderful! I’ve written a bit about this in the past… this idea that as students we sometimes judged the teachers for being teachers because they couldn’t hack it in the real world. That was such foolish thinking. And so obnoxious. Once I started gaining a knowledge about careers and success and happiness, I learned that it was total nonsense. This is so great that you are now one of those people who loves their job– especially in the dental field. That is completely respectable. You’ve totally hit on what success means. I’d love to share your story on my blog. Look out for an email from me!

Thanks, Lisa! I’ll have to check out that poem. I bet your move to Ecuador was a massive leap for you. I also imagine it was the right move for you, or you wouldn’t still be there?

You’re right. It’s that need for approval from others that keeps us exactly stuck where we are.

I, like you, took the courses that supposedly would change the way we practiced dentistry… and improve our lives! Maybe I didn’t give it a fair chance, but it never happened. I went through the same thing as fragglerocking above (heart palpitations, stomach churning, etc.) — but mine started earlier… on Saturday night, because Sunday would arrive before I knew it, and I’d be thinking of work the entire day.

(Oh wait, it’s Saturday night at 11 pm — is that my pager going off? Someone’s temporary crown on #8 came off and broke, and they need a call tonight since they can’t wait til Monday? Guess i’ll have to delay that day trip with my family on Sunday…More heart palpitations!!!).

When I would get calls from dental management companies telling me they could increase my patient load by 50%…. I guess I should have been excited. Truth was, I didn’t want to see ANY more patients. I then knew it was soon time to stop.

Perhaps the most profound message in your entire post is the use of the term “giving up”. It has negative connotations written all over it, because of society’s perceptions and misunderstandings. People hear those words, and think the worst. But you had the insight and wisdom to show us that “giving up” is indeed one of the most positive things we can ever do. Brilliant! Thank you.