In dental school, we learn how to do things the textbook way. However, once we’re practicing dentists in a clinic, we realize working with patients in the real world is incredibly different.
The best way to acclimate quickly to dentistry outside of school without feeling overwhelmed is through mentorship. New dentists can thrive and grow at a rapid pace with the guidance of a caring, attentive mentor. Here are a few tried-and-true mentorship tactics I’ve developed over the years, along with valuable input from two of my mentees — Tracy Redden, DMD, and Anshelle Tucker, DMD — who are now mentors themselves.
Take baby steps
Going from the school environment of seeing three patients a day to 10 or more at a clinic can be jarring. The last thing I want is for a new dentist to flounder or burnout, so I start with baby steps. New dentists at my practices undergo "mini-residencies," during which they are attached to the hip of a more experienced doctor, working side-by-side. We take everything one step at a time, working on building clinical, people and leadership skills.
"The mini-residency is a huge part of what makes Dr. Henville’s mentorship style effective," says Dr. Tucker. "We take what we thought we knew in dental school and really apply it little by little, and we have someone who can check our work very closely."
Adds Dr. Redden, "There’s not one right way to do dentistry, but there usually is a best way. Mentorship helps you find the best way."
Ultimately, mentors need to recall what it was like for them to be new dentists. Says Dr. Tucker, "It’s very important to remember where you as a mentor came from and what you had going on in the beginning of your career." When we tap into that early experience, we can best identify how to develop and grow a new doctor.
Create an atmosphere that allows people to be vulnerable
If you want to be a good mentor, you have to be passionate about helping others succeed, and one of the best ways to show you care is by creating an environment where new doctors can be vulnerable. Keeping lines of communication open is critical, as is being completely honest. This goes both ways, too. As Dr. Redden notes, "Both the mentor and the mentee have to work. You get out of it what you put in."
What does this look like in practice? For my mentees, I make sure to be available for questions and check-ins, whether that be sit-downs at the end of each day, or quick messages or touch points throughout the week.
I’ve also created a "network-within-a-network" with a Teams chat of all my mentees. In this chat, mentors and mentees alike can express anything on their minds, whether that be questions about difficult cases, input on treatment strategies or motivational anecdotes. This has the added benefit of helping mentees gradually transition into being mentors themselves.
When new doctors can feel vulnerable, they are better able to make mistakes and then recover from them quickly, which is what learning is all about. As mentors, we can coach in the moment, helping mentees understand the "why" behind what we do. This approach fosters growth as well as valuable relationships with everybody from fellow dental staff to patients.
Recognize the clinician as a whole person
Mentorship doesn’t stop at the practice doors. "Mentorship extends far beyond the clinic," says Dr. Tucker. "The clinician is a whole person, and that’s an important perspective for mentorship." For my mentees, I’ve created a safe space where they can decompress at the end of the day, a sort of mini-wellness retreat with a couch and soft music. When your mentee leaves work, they need to be able to recharge, which then allows them to be the best possible caregiver for their patients the following day.
"I would come to Dr. Henville’s office after I left my office, and we would discuss the day. She taught me how to be a team player and a leader," says Dr. Redden.
Seeing the clinician as a whole person means everything from offering advice on business skills to unpacking the stresses and nuances of being a leader. I know my mentees have lives outside of the office, and it’s important to recognize and cultivate the whole person, because if the whole person isn’t healthy, they won’t perform at their best no matter how solid your mentorship skills are.
Create value with everything you do
As a mentor, we have to shift into the mindset of value creation. That means appreciating people in the moment and showing them they are valued, which in turn allows you to develop an engaged team in an environment built on friendship, growth and fun.
Adds Dr. Redden, "Many doctors put the patient experience first, but you really have to make sure the team experience comes first because that way, the patient experience will naturally follow."
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Jasmin Henville, DMD, has over 16 years of dentistry experience and owns five Aspen Dental practices. Over the years, she has trained dozens of doctors, hygienists and lab technicians. She loves mentoring new doctors and helping them reach their goals.
Tracy Redden, DMD, is the owner of two Aspen Dental practices in North Carolina and has five years of experience in dentistry. She loves mentoring new doctors and helping them overcome hurdles and grow their confidence.
Anshelle Tucker, DMD, is the managing clinical director of the Aspen Dental practice in Worcester, Mass., and will soon be the owner of a practice in Arizona.