Michael Smith said in his famous (albeit a little cheesy) 90’s hit “I’m looking for a reason, roaming through the night to find my place in this world” and I feel like that person (not on the beach with a piano and a faux-hawk) but one that is trying to find my place in this career world of dentistry. Today I am going to share a personal worry/frustration I have been trying to deal with as a “newer” graduate. I graduated in 2007 – seems like a good amount of time but in reality it isn’t – just five years – and they have flown by. But while I was at work today I realized that ever since I graduated I have been trying to figure out just WHAT MY NICHE IS in this huge and all-encompassing world of dentistry!!!
I am a General Dentist – that is my title. But within that title encompasses ALL the facets of dentistry – a smorgasbord – a buffet of choices!!!! It’s like the equivalent to an internist regarding medicine. There are many people (a lot of my own friends) that have gone on to further study – specialized in an area of dentistry they love. But if you asked me when I graduated what area of dentistry I wanted to practice it is almost like someone asking you in high school what you want to be when you grow up. You just don’t know! And after five years, it makes me a little worried that I still don’t have a definite answer.
What do you mean that I don’t know what my niche is? Get with the program and PICK already right??? Well – like most general dentists I see patients and do whatever they need me to do – a crown, a bridge, children’s treatment, fillings, emergency treatment, and implant crown, anything... But, there isn’t one particular arena that I have delved in – “a vision that I can call my own.” An area that I have thrown myself into – something that motivates me so that I feel that I can contribute to the profession. As a few further examples - one of my bosses has embraced the CEREC machine (a device that we can put in your mouth and it can take a picture of your tooth, send that picture to a computer, and it can mill your crown for you right then and there). Another one of my employers has embraced the general dentist scope of Invisalign (non-traditional clear braces/aligners) and everything that it entails. Another of my friends has embraced dental implants, their placement & restoration.
While one part of me feels that those who decided to specialize are VERY lucky – and those general dentists who know what forte in dentistry they want to hone in on, another part of me feels that I LIKE being a general dentist. Is that bad? I know it isn't BAD, but is it bad motivation-wise for me? Possibly! I’m able to do all facets of dentistry and if it is beyond my scope or I need advice, I can go to the specialists and ask them for their opinions.
Am I alone in my frustration? Am I alone in my concerns? I know that there is a lot of time to decide and that I shouldn’t be so hard on myself to hurry and decide an area I will delve myself into. I know there is just so much to dentistry, so much information, so MUCH to KNOW! If you ask me what I am most passionate about - I am a huge advocate of public health, community service, care to the underserved/homeless & drug rehabilitation population, and the care of children. But I cannot say I am an expert in those arenas- but they truly interest me. Least there is a start right?
I guess my ultimate fear is, like everyone who loves their career and wants to be remembered or have a career legacy, that when my career in dentistry is said and done (hopefully many many moons and years from now)that I don’t want to be like the figure of speech “jack of all trades, master of none.” I know that I don’t have to figure it out NOW, but I know just as surely that I am anxious to decide. I guess I will have to continue on like everyone else, follow my heart, and in time and with patience, I’ll figure it out...my place in this world.
image courtesy of: redbubble.com
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