The holiday season, while filled with festivities, often brings unique stressors that can affect both dental professionals and their patients. For providers, the increased demand for appointments before the year’s end can lead to longer hours, fatigue, and heightened stress. At the same time, patients may grapple with financial pressures, or feelings of loneliness and … Read more
I recently had the honour of speaking at the New Dentist Study Club in Toronto and couldn’t help but feel a significant sense of responsibility. The talk on ergonomics for dentists was not just about improving workplace comfort, it was about preserving careers and enhancing the quality of life for dedicated dental professionals. Dentists (and their … Read more
The dental grind. We’ve all experienced it. The routine of racing against the clock, procedures not going well, anxious patients, not having time for lunch, staying late to write notes, aching backs, managing the practice, and then repeating it all the next day. We love dentistry, and we hate dentistry. Time to give up? No, … Read more
Introduction The connection between mental health and overall well-being is significant, yet the role of dental visits in this context is often overlooked. Dental hygienists, who spend considerable time with patients, are uniquely positioned to observe changes in behavior, mood, and physical symptoms that could indicate mental health concerns. By incorporating routine mental health screenings … Read more
A friendly environment is ideal for patients and dentists alike, but it needn’t take much effort to cultivate such an atmosphere. Rather, simple measures that enhance efficiency and employee wellness affect how your office runs and patient outcomes. There are various ways to approach this. Some are based on practical streamlining, while others attend to … Read more
In an age where social media filters and celebrity culture heavily influence beauty standards, a new phenomenon has emerged: smile dysmorphia. This term describes the growing obsession people have with achieving a perfect smile, often driven by unrealistic beauty ideals perpetuated by social media and celebrity trends. This condition is closely linked to body dysmorphic … Read more
Being a university student is an exciting time to learn and grow, but it also presents the challenge of balancing school with overall health and wellbeing. That’s why the UBC Faculty of Dentistry created a special Student Wellness Fund to support students in prioritizing their mental and physical health so they can thrive. “Being a … Read more
“Oh, did you see that on TikTok?” was the immediate response to a joke I made. This response made me realize how ingrained social media platforms like TikTok have become in our lives. Nowadays, our first instinct is to assume that anything funny or relatable a friend says comes from an online trend or meme, … Read more
Everything happens for a reason…” People reach for it when something horrible happens, and they don’t know what else to say but want to sound hopeful. Failure and loss are inevitable. Things happen randomly and often unfairly. It’s part of being human. A cancer diagnosis, the unexpected loss of a loved one, a failed business … Read more
Everyone on an airplane has been told by the flight attendant to always secure their oxygen mask before assisting others. So why do we not heed this advice in our daily lives? As regulated healthcare professionals, we care for others all day at work but often put our health and wellness in the backseat. One … Read more
Dental students take care of so many people. Studies, rotation patients, friends, family, etc. But they need to love themselves too! They need to engage in activities that allow for healing (physical, emotional, and psychological), relieving stress, releasing past trauma, and harmonizing one’s inner-self. The best kind of self-love includes being ALONE with yourself to … Read more
I have been there. You pull into the same parking spot you leave your car in daily, enter the office, and wish your co-workers good morning as you change into your uniform and place your lunch in the fridge. Through the morning huddle, you politely smile and nod while biting your tongue, wishing you had … Read more
The other day, when I was at the gym, I noticed how my trainer seemed different with a client. It suddenly struck me how his demeanour shifts noticeably depending on who he was with—he was professional, focused during training sessions, and relaxed and chatty with his gym buddies or clients outside the sessions. As I … Read more
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You know those folks on Instagram. The ones always posting picture-perfect lives. Working out their perfect bodies at the gym. Decked out with friends eating Michelin star meals. Perfect holiday family photos. Pristine vacationing pics. Cocktail boomerangs at the newest bar. Even posting provocative photos that don’t leave much for the imagination. They’re the Instagram … Read more
From daunting administrative and business tasks to dealing with difficult patients and staff, there are many reasons why most dentists agree their career leaves them feeling burned out from time to time. If you can relate to this, then these tips are for you. Start delegating tasks: To do this, you need to know yourself … Read more
A dentist’s mind is always restless. Never enough patients to treat, profits to earn, trips to take, restaurants to try, tech and luxury items to own, movies and books to get into, or time to spend with family and friends. The mind is never content. Why? Because you think you’re only your “Person” (i.e. your … Read more
In the ever-evolving field of healthcare, the relentless pursuit of perfection can be all-consuming. As a healthcare professional myself, I’ve often found that the desire to be flawless is deeply ingrained in our work. Let’s be real – healthcare, by its very nature, is complex and dynamic. Despite our unwavering dedication and meticulous approach, patients … Read more
If you work in dentistry, you want to be busy during the holiday season. A fully booked schedule shows that the folks in your area trust you to take care of their health and are committed to improving their dental hygiene with you. However, a busy seasonal schedule can quickly lead to burnout and heightened … Read more
Feeling “stuck”? Maybe these ideas can help you elevate: BE Present – We’re programmed to constantly be DO-ing. Work. Gym. Cook. Clean. Shop. Friends. Family. Travel. Repeat. But this doesn’t bring inner peace or outer wish fulfilment. Time to re-program! Devote time every day to being absolutely still (meditate, pray, etc.). You’ll stop yourself from … Read more
You wake up and get ready for work. Feeling nothing. You drive to the office. Wondering why? You put on your scrubs. Wishing you weren’t there. You care for your patients, go home, and when your spouse says, “How was work?” You respond, “Fine.” But you’re not fine. You’re not happy. You are no longer … Read more