In dental school, I couldn’t wait to graduate. I never wanted to study for another exam or worry about getting clinical credits. I thought life would be better. It wasn’t. Instead, I felt like I wasn’t good enough. I was scared of messing up, I was stressed about my student loan, and I felt alone. I was unsure of where my career would go and how to direct my life. I wish someone told me that what I was feeling was normal—that I was feeling the new grad blues.
In May, a fourth-year dental student excitedly told me, “I can’t wait to graduate next month. Life will be so much easier.” I burst her bubble by saying, “Life will be different, not easier.” Her joy suddenly changed to disappointment. Then, I told her, “You’re going to have a great career. It’s going to be hard at the beginning. I am going to tell you what I wish someone told me, so the first few years will be easier.” Here’s my advice.
Connecting
You’re going to miss your classmates. Dentistry is lonely. While you are in close contact with people all day at work, you are going to feel isolated as only other dentists understand your struggles. Stay connected to your classmates on WhatsApp, meet dentists by joining your local dental society, and meet the specialists you refer to. Share your struggles and help each other.
Continuing Education
You will be sick of school, but you need to keep learning. You will feel more confident and get better results. Join a study club and take courses. You can get a lot of great education for free. Listen to podcasts, shadow a specialist, watch YouTube videos and webinars, and join group chats and online forums.
Define success
In school, we were given our definition of success with rubrics and grades. Now, you have to define success. Strive for exceptional dentistry, but don’t define your success with ideal margins. Perfection is impossible and you don’t want to lose sleep over an overhang. Also, have production goals, but don’t define success by what fills your wallet. Instead, fill your heart.
Just like new moms experience baby blues or postpartum depression, new dentists experience new grad blues or post graduation depression. It’s normal. You are ending your life as a student, starting your life as an adult, and beginning your career. Connect, take courses and define success. If you are feeling down, get help. Get free counseling with the Members’ Assistance Program. Call 1-844-578-4040. Connect, take courses, and define success. Soon you will change your tune from the new grad blues to singing the sweet songs of success.
About the author
Dr. Sanjukta Mohanta is a general dentist practicing in Toronto. She graduated from the University of Toronto in 1999 and received their Alumni of Influence Award. She volunteers with the Ontario Dental Association, Filling the Gap Dental Outreach, and Great Shape’s- 1000 Smiles dental outreach program in the Caribbean. Interested in volunteering? Contact Sanj at sanjuktamohanta@hotmail.com