Lisa Newburger, a master's level social worker supervisor, helps audiences find humor in talking about tough topics. Her "in-your-face" style of presentations and writing will make you smile or just shock you into taking some action. Either way, she is very effective at empowering others to reach their goals and feel better about themselves. Her entertaining workshops are available for national and international audiences. Writing for the dental industry since 2010, she uses an alterego (Diana Directive) to illustrate her points in a sarcastic but effective way. Presentations can be scheduled by contacting Lisa at www.discussdirectives.com/dental.html.

Lisa Newburger, LISW-S

Do you see yourself through the lens of reality? You might think you are too fat, too old, too grey, too poor, too lonely; the list can go on infinitely. But why don’t you see yourself as beautiful inside and out?

I don’t mean to stand on a soapbox and preach, but this is a critical issue for so many of us. Women are battling depression at epic levels. Why don’t we think we are special, beautiful, and smart?

I write this as a video is circulating on LinkedIn for an ad campaign by Dove soap called 

The song is playing, and we watch a beautiful young child who grows up to develop an eating disorder because of the impact of social media. She gets treatment and then returns to good health in the end. It is a very touching video that really made me tear up. How many of us are out there not loving who we are? Perhaps, we think other people are better than we are. They are more successful, have killer abs, and seem to be luckier than any of us. This danger of comparing ourselves to others is a tragic mistake.

My cousin had an eating disorder that almost ended her life. She was a competitive ice skater and somehow felt the only thing she could control was food. Watching her battle from being in good health to being hospitalized and force fed was humbling. She eventually overcame her eating disorder and has lived a wonderful life since. I couldn’t understand why this happened. She had everything—beauty, popularity, straight A student, and was winning skating competitions. Her goal was to get to the Olympics. Outwardly she was exceeding her dreams and goals, but it didn’t make a difference with her internal battles.

That was back before the internet and the perils of social media. Unfortunately, popularity doesn’t insulate you from mental health issues. What looks perfect on the outside or in a Facebook post, isn’t necessarily what is going on in someone’s life. The lesson to learn is to not presume anything.

As a society, we have developed more problems with obesity and eating disorders through the years. We eat to deal with grief, stress, celebrations, and out of boredom. Our waistlines have grown exponentially as our technological capabilities have also grown. This is alarming.

Girls are tearing themselves down not feeling popular enough or successful enough. People are known for embellishing their lives on social media. Correction, some downright lie about their wonderful, dreamy existence. I have a friend who is an influencer. On Facebook she is driving fantastic cars, wearing spectacular clothes, going to openings in long dresses at least 3x a month. It is nonstop photos and videos to promote products. The truth is she needs a steady income. She is struggling to pay bills. What I am seeing on her social media is all fake. Yes, she goes to cool events and has a wardrobe that she sells each year when money is low, but steady income to live a normal life isn’t happening. Don’t get me wrong, I flip through her pictures to see what she is wearing, where she is traveling, resorts, galas, and which celebrities she is photographed with. But, when I heard her financial woes, it was sobering.

Girls are being altered because of this fake world. We used to think Hollywood was full of fake people. Now it is Facebook, Instagram, and every other app that I can’t keep up with.

So why rant like this? The Dove video hit home for me. Making women aware that you are perfect the way you are is important. So often, we are tearing people down instead of building them up. We must stop doing this for the next generation. When we gossip or are critical of others, it takes away from our own sense of wellness.

It doesn’t matter what someone else looks like or has in their life. The adage of treating people the way you want to be treated is so true. The last thing I want is for you to tear me down and destroy my self-esteem. So, I don’t allow it. I walk away from negativity or things that will make me feel inferior. I am a strong, middle-aged woman, who loves being who I am. Yeah, I have wrinkles, yeah, I would like to lose a couple of pounds. But yeah, I am a good person and am very happy with the world I have made for myself. The real question is…are you?

Please share your thoughts with me at diana2@discussdirectives.com.

Articles

Avoiding negativity and focusing more on your qualities and less on what you see from others on social media is critical to finding happiness in today’s world.

Your Inner Beauty…Do You See It?

What Goes on in the Back Office of a Dental Practice? Image: © Diego Cervo - stock.adobe.com. 


She knows where the bodies are buried! What a disturbing image to start off with, but it is the truth. I had the pleasure of interviewing Valerie Lewis, an RDH from Texas, about her 20-year career as a dental hygienist. She had some very strong feelings about the industry and wanted to have a platform to share her thoughts and be a voice for those still in the trenches.

There are some dentists who are driven to make money and increase production at all costs. She worked at a practice where a patient (we will call Mary) was pregnant and was pressured and bullied by the doctor to have an x-ray. It wasn’t an emergency. Mary didn’t want the x-ray but felt such pressure that she succumbed to it. After the x-ray, Mary was completely hysterical. When Valerie lost her temper about the situation, she was reprimanded, and cotton pliers were thrown at her over this. Seriously, throwing tools is assault and is never acceptable in a practice.

There is a lot of fear to speak up when you see something that isn’t right. If you just quit, you can get blacklisted in this industry, and your career in dentistry can end. We all know that having references is critical to getting that next position. This is unfortunately another reason to stay quiet.

Valerie has seen a lot of concerning behavior in her time. What concerned her and led to her retiring was her dentist having a drinking problem. Dr M was an alcoholic. He would smell up the operatory with wine from the night before. His hands would shake as he gave injections to patients and explained it away as having had too much caffeine that day. Valerie stayed at the practice for 2 years and felt she didn’t have a choice. As a single parent, she lived in a desert with no dental offices. She loved being an RDH, and didn’t want to leave, but felt helpless with few choices.

Every day, dental professionals are faced with a variety of issues inside and out of the operatory. In a changing and often-stressful world, it can be difficult to maintain the kind of professionalism that patients expect from their clinician. In the face of these changes, there are effective ways to navigate personal and professional trials–it’s just about finding them.

Master's level social worker supervisor and dental practice recruiter, Lisa Newburger, LISW-S, is offering key insights and advice for dental professionals ranging on a variety of topics. With a focus on reaching personal and professional goals, Lisa hopes to guide dental professionals on how to be the best version of themselves.

Have questions for Lisa? Reach out at diana2@discussdirectives.com and your question may be answered on dentalproductsreport.com.

This is frightening. Prior to the pandemic, RDAs felt disposable and easily replaced. Things have changed with the staffing challenges now, but this was how it was.

Dr M eventually had a car accident driving under the influence. The board was supposed to be notified, but Valerie wasn’t sure that happened. She quit when Dr M drilled into the floor of a patient’s mouth. She couldn’t be quiet anymore, so she reported Dr M to the dental board and was fired.

Have meetings for all staff and create a safe environment for improving communication between the doctors and the staff.

Have a union to advocate for this vulnerable population resulting in happier assistants and better pay.

Provide substance abuse education regarding the signs and symptoms of addiction. Drug screening can be implemented as needed. There is a terrible liability to the patient if something goes sidewise.

Have a better reporting system across the board. Subordinates are afraid to report what they see. What can be done to improve this?

Remember that we are dealing with human beings. They are not inanimate objects. You have risk for liability if you harm someone, not just financially, but ethically. I so appreciate Valerie speaking up for her peers who can’t. Remember, seeing things and reporting makes a difference even when you feel powerless.

Email me at diana2@discussdirectives.com and share your experiences with me that have been good or bad. Speaking to someone you trust is the first step to making a change.

A lot happens behind the scenes in a dental practice, and it can be overwhelming and intimidating for employees. Here are some ways to navigate these tricky situations from a dental professional who has been there. 

What Goes on in the Back Office of a Dental Practice?

I have had the pleasure of writing articles for the past 8 years for MJH Lifesciences and the other parent companies of DPR who came before them. No, this is not a “Dear John” letter. I am not leaving, just felt a need to write this article.

What has been so wonderful is being given a platform to reach out to not just doctors but to everyone from the front office staff to the hygienists and office leaders. But the population that has touched me the most, if I am honest, has been the dental assistants. So many of you have reached out over the years to speak your truth and share some painful experiences. I am humbled and honored that you have done so.

When I get email from the readers, I get excited to hear what you are thinking. Quite often the experiences you share have been about issues of ethics, sexual harassment, disrespect, bullying, pressure for production dollars, etc. that have motivated you to pick up your keyboard and shoot me an email. Many of you I have spoken on the phone with and you asked why I take the time to have a call.

The reason is simple. So often dental assistants don’t feel like they have any power in the office. (Some of you may disagree with that statement, but I would wager that most of you think I am correct.) Giving you a platform to share your feelings is the least I can do. You make a difference. You work very hard and have a big impact on the comfort of your patients.

I have seen firsthand the value of solid, dedicated, wonderful dental assistants who do the right thing. For some, it has been a very difficult struggle. One reader told me how she was sexually harassed over and over in the practice she was in. She didn’t feel that she could leave as she is a single mother and was afraid she would be blackballed in such a small town if she quit. Basically, she felt trapped.

Then, there was the dental assistant who was horrified over how patients were being taken care of. She witnessed how trusting patients were upsold products and services that may not have been necessary. Ethically she struggled with what to do. She didn’t want to be a part of this yet needed the job. Patients trust you. This is a special relationship you have with your patients similar to a bartender or therapist.

Each of you makes a difference when the patient walks through the door. You greet them. Some hugging might happen. You basically play your role and make the patient feel safe and comfortable. As a patient, I am grateful for your hard work. So often, we don’t thank you for sterilizing the dental instruments to keep us healthy. We don’t acknowledge you handing the dentist their instruments or suctioning during a procedure.

But you are appreciated! Even if no one tells you that today, I am going on record telling you how special and important you are to every dental practice out there. Without you, the practice can’t function correctly. You know what I mean. When you are down 1 dental assistant, it hurts. You know that finding replacement dental assistants is hard, expensive, and exhausting. But, you are a professional, and you do the best you can.

I am not trying to get all sappy. Instead, I wanted you to realize that I hear you…and see you. I am grateful to those readers who come forward with their stories that with their permission I have shared. You are the reason why I keep writing and listening.

 and share your story. The good, the bad, and the ugly…I am here to listen.

Columnist appreciates dental team members who reach out to share their experiences, struggles while working in dental practices.

Thank You Dental Assistants for Sharing Your Stories

Managing Stress While Working in a Dental Practice

Imagine if you could just wave a magic wand and watch the stress in your life evaporate. Wouldn’t that be incredible? So relaxing? So perfect? Yet, that isn’t the real world for most of us. Living in the real world means we deal with this whether we like it or not. So, where is your stress level at?

The list of symptoms goes on and on. Ok, so you realize that you are dealing with stress. Sometimes, it looks like depression or even some type of physical issue. Some of us get to a point where we realize it is our job. Perhaps someone at work makes life difficult for you. Maybe your back is killing you leaning over patients all day. Maybe the bills and the pressure of keeping things together is suffocating.

 and your question may be answered on dentalproductsreport.com.

Address the issue with the person or people making your life difficult.

Take personal days off to take care of yourself.

The problem with how we deal with our stress is compounded by the necessity to be aware of the politics where you work. Most of us are aware of the lay of the land and aren’t naïve. Politics play out in every playground. As an adult, our playground is the workplace. So, how do we walk that fine line between speaking and possibly putting a target on our back with our boss or coworkers? I know that sounds dark, but this is reality. Sometimes, seeing the best in everybody and wanting to simply solve problems hits a brick wall of reality. Things can get worse.

Why does it seem like I’m being so negative? It’s not negativity–it’s realism. You must protect yourself and your livelihood, and if you can’t find ways to resolve issues in your workplace, you may have to make some tough decisions. No one can make them for you. Financial security is part of adulthood and plays a major role in our stress levels. Some of us end up staying in terrible situations, because we are trapped one way or another. I respect whatever decisions you choose to make. Just know that there are ways for things to get better. Some of it takes brainstorming, trust, and the willingness to take a chance. Others may realize that there is no way out and look for another opportunity.

Know that there really is no magic wand you can wave to reduce your stress levels. You must tackle it 1 step at a time. My professional belief is that distraction is a critical piece to lowering stress. The more I don’t think about the situation, I laugh, love, exercise, volunteer, caregive, etc., the better I am able to manage my own stress.

What do you do? How does your magic wand work? Email me at 

Everyday life can take a toll on us, adding unnecessary stress to the point of exhaustion and mood changes. How does one manage stress when working in an environment like the dental practice?

I like money. Well, that is a loaded statement, but it is at the core of what dental employees truly feel but are ashamed to admit out loud. I don’t feel there is a taboo in talking about something that means a great deal to all of us. I believe those working in the trenches have no idea what the cost of running a practice is. Maybe if we did, we might get it.

Let’s start with new hires. As a recruiter, I usually receive a salary range for open positions from a practice’s office manager. Let’s say, for example, you are paying $18 to $20 per hour for a dental assistant. What happens when an incredible candidate comes along asking for $22 per hour? This is a problem. If you pay the stellar candidate that much, what about the other dental assistants you have in the practice? We do know how much others are getting. You could end up with a revolt on your hands. But applicants do not get this. Instead, they think that the practice is “cheap.” It really has a bigger picture than that.

I’ve seen companies have to restructure the salaries of all employees out of fairness. With the current staffing challenges, this is indeed wreaking havoc on what is fair and competitive in our industry. I know you don’t think you are being paid enough. I feel the same way. But we must think big picture. Contrary to what many believe, it does not all revolve around the individual.

I had one candidate willing to take a $5000 salary cut to work at our practice. She hated where she was and was so desperate to get out that she was willing to make that sacrifice. First, why do I know what she is currently earning? I never asked that question. Most applicants talk aloud when I ask what salary they are looking for. They start with, “Well, currently, I am making $25 per hour, but I would be willing to go down to $20 per hour.” Why? We really are not fans of desperate candidates, and all it does is put you in a negative light. Do not be surprised when you get asked that question. If you’re looking for a new position, practice your answer to that question because odds are, it will be asked. I ask it within the first 5 minutes so that I don’t waste anyone’s time.

Know what you are looking for and find a range that you’re comfortable staying within. Plus, in dental, I always put the salary range on the job description. If you are going to have a screening or interview, go back to the job description and look it up on Indeed or the dental practice website. Do your homework.

The reason I am not interested in someone who will take a $5000 or more cut in salary is because that person will get frustrated over time. I have seen this repeatedly in my work as a recruiter with other clients: The person comes in, might love the job, but gets annoyed that they could be earning more elsewhere. They usually leave in a short while. Turnover costs a practice big time. That is one reason why I stress retention is key to breaking this cycle.

Some play the game of interviewing, getting an offer, and then using this as a tactic to get a raise at their current practice. Please do not do it. If you tell your practice you are leaving, then leave. We have seen in other industries how those who remain with their old jobs are gone within 18 months. You have committed the sin of giving up your loyalty in your office. How committed are you really to your work now? What about to your work family? That eats away at a healthy work environment. It’s something to think about.

You must understand that a dental practice is a business. It has set expenses that keep going up in this economy. Vendor prices continue to climb. Utilities, technology, repair work, supplies—the list goes on and on.

When I first started recruiting, I had a different take on all this. I thought the doctor should just pay more money to get and keep great staff. That thinking changed as I learned more about the pressure and expenses involved in running a practice. The problem is that you don’t hear about the big picture. When you do, then you can be part of the solution.

It’s not always pleasant to talk about money so bluntly, but this is what I see as a recruiter.

 and share with me how much you know about the big picture at your practice. If you disagree with my thinking, let me know. After all, the more we talk about it, the more we all will benefit.

It's important for dental job candidates to know what salary they're comfortable with, but also to understand that practices operate as businesses.

Money and a Dental Practice: Staff Salaries from a Recruiter’s Perspective

As a dental professional, you may think this is a ridiculous question…”What is your personal brand?” Most answer in terms of the practice where they work. “We take care of challenging patients to give them the best smile possible” (or something to that effect.) That is not what I am talking about. I am asking who you are and what kind of a professional you are as an individual.

In the marketing field, branding is quite common. You know logos, drug commercials, product placement, etc. But do you know that you individually have a brand? I never really gave it any thought until a couple of years ago when someone pointed this out to me. Think about it…

What do you want people to think of when they hear your name?

 It is something to give some thought to.

Yep, even the Jewish mother thing is something that is part of my brand. When coworkers end up with COVID or some kind of illness or injury, I am the queen of making Matzah Ball soup and transporting it to help when needed. (What can I say? It has medicinal powers!) Do you see where I am going with this?

Who you are and what is important to you is your brand. What do you want people to know or think about you? This all ties into your professional life as well. Those same 10 things work in both my professional and personal lives. (Yep, even the Jewish mother bit.) They may be different for some of you, but not for me.

I bet most of you never thought about this before. Do you have a brand? Is it the image you want to have, or do you need to work on it? Do you remember that adage of how people size you up in the first 10 or 30 seconds of a job interview? So true. We do that in our personal lives as well. Isn’t the patient doing this as well when they walk into your practice for the first time? I am as a patient.

During the pandemic, some of us lived on Zoom. It was a lifeline. I was amazed at how “terrible” people looked. I am not trying to being critical or judgmental. I know, it sounds superficial, but life shifted. We went away from the dressy clothing and heels to stretchy yoga pants and being barefoot. Perhaps we started reprioritizing our lives and decided what was important and what we shouldn’t waste our energy on. There have been many who have struggled since 2020. Yes, things are more relaxed and most of us have resumed life the way it was pre-2020. But some have stopped bathing, stopped leaving their homes, and stopped having contact with their loved ones, and that worries me.

Do you see where I am going with this? We make judgments depending on how someone looks. It is wrong, but it is reality. But, it also can make us more aware of those around us who may be struggling.

How you come across publicly matters. This is your brand. My opinion is to protect your brand and think about how you want to come across to the world. Because, once your brand is tarnished, it is extremely hard to bounce back. What do you think?

 and tell me what your brand is. I would love to hear about it.

Do you, as a dental professional, have a brand, and do you realize how important your image is to patients and others?

What Is Your Brand?

Being Respectful of Patients’ Pain in the Dental Practice. Image courtesy of LIGHTFIELD STUDIOS/stock.adobe.com. 


The year was 2001. It was 2 days after 9/11. As the world was transformed, the patient found that her jaws had locked up with severe pain. She was diagnosed with temporomandibular joint dysfunction and sent to a specialist. She arrived holding her jaw with an ice pack trying to keep her anxiety down as she was trying desperately to not think about her painful mouth. She asked, “Could this have happened as a result of 9/11?” The dentist responded, “No. This didn’t occur overnight.”

The receptionist was very supportive trying to console her, but it was out of her pay grade. The only thing that could help was seeing the specialist and finding a way to break her pain cycle. She couldn’t eat or drink and could barely talk as it was impossible to open her mouth. So, her mother drove her to the appointment and did all the talking.

That patient was me. I had never had anything cause as much physical pain in my life. I had no idea that I would then go on an odyssey for 10 years that would cost $75,000 and tremendous wear and tear on my psyche. Why am I talking about this dark time in my life? Because we must. I believe that dental professionals sometimes forget about the pain our patients go through. We are human. I imagine the hate mail filling my inbox but hear me out.

Pain is something we all need to respect. Unfortunately, unless you see someone grimacing in pain or crying, you sometimes write off people’s pain. Maybe you feel guilty that you can’t believe it? Perhaps you are afraid we could end up having a problem like this, so you put some emotional distance in your interaction. You don’t want your patients to suffer, but sometimes you feel helpless. And, if you are honest, sometimes you get tired of it. That may sound harsh, but it does happen. Think about it. Your friend is crying. You hold them, hug them, reassure them, and pat them on the back. Could this patting them on the back be an unconscious point of saying “enough”? That is one reason therapy helps. Therapists don’t hug, don’t pat, and don’t cut the client off when someone is in true emotional pain.

Having a chronic pain situation takes a toll on those who love you. They may ask how you are doing, but eventually, they stop. They may tell themselves, “I don’t want to upset you by asking.” Or they may stop calling. Why? Because there are limits. People want to hear that things are getting better and not that the pain continues. This can happen with chronic illnesses and pain. Everyone is frustrated and may feel helpless. Your loved ones and dental professionals want you to be pain-free, but it is not always so easy.

It has been several years since I last wrote about pain, but it is a good reminder for all of us. We need to respect the pain journey that a patient is going through. Most professionals are just that–professional. But not always. I was in my doctor’s office with stomach pains many years ago. I heard the nurse tell the doctor what was going on about me in the hallway. My doctor’s response was, “She ain’t dead yet.” That statement by someone I trusted, did not resonate well with me. It broke the patient/doctor bond as she was flippant about my pain. I am not a hypochondriac, and those scars do not really heal.

Have you ever done something like that? Walked out of a patient room and said something minimizing someone’s pain? What if it were you that minimized someone’s pain? It may have been an oversight and even if you weren’t being malicious, that can still have a devastating impact when overheard by the patient.

Have you seen patients in terrible pain? How did you deal with your feelings regarding their pain? For some of us, it is a nonissue. But for others, we take it home and end up thinking about this patient late at night. My point with this article is just to have you give some thought about the pain your patients are in and if you are underestimating it or not. They may not be grimacing and screaming out, but they could really be suffering.

If you are willing to share your feelings on this topic, please email me at 

Patients experience a plethora of stressors in their daily lives, and the potential of added pain at the dentist’s office only adds to that. It may be valuable for dental professionals to examine the way they interact with patients’ pain. 

Being Respectful of Patients’ Pain in the Dental Practice

Work/life balance is a concept that we all strive for, but let’s be honest, it isn’t possible. In my opinion, it was not possible before the pandemic, and it is even less so now.

I know that is a loaded statement. So, let’s unpack it. Prior to Covid in 2020, we had a robust dental workforce. Many years ago, consultants introduced a concept of how we needed balance in our lives between work and our personal lives. The concept was obvious, but the reality of it was always hard to achieve. Companies spent big bucks to try to make it work, but it failed miserably in every industry. Why am I so cynical? Simply put, I was part of the problem by giving presentations to corporations about balancing work and life. The sad truth is that it wasn’t possible then and is impossible now.

Fast forward to post-2020. So many dental professionals left the field after Covid. Some decided to retire, and others were fearful of catching this infection. Some didn’t see the value of staying in the field as they could earn more money in retail. That is sobering.

We are not recruiting and graduating enough dental hygienists, dental assistants, or EFDAs in dental programs. Here in Cleveland, Ohio, one school was only graduating 14 dental hygienists and 12 dental assistants. We are in the middle of a labor shortage that will not end anytime in the near future.

Then you have vultures like me (I mean recruiters.) We are doing a cardinal sin and recruiting from your competition. Whether it is researching the competition and approaching your staff, or just simply matching candidates on Indeed, grabbing employees is the biggest problem we are facing right now in the industry. Every day I get on the computer and reach out to 50-100 dental professionals. This constant barrage of emails, texts, and voicemails is creating a retention challenge. Why stick around when sign-on bonuses entice your staff to leave? In fact, last month I wrote about attacking this staffing shortage by having flexibility due to childcare issues for your staff. So, remember, retention is your problem, not recruitment. If your people are happy, they delete my emails and don’t consider leaving.

This situation is like popcorn. You reach out to candidates and fight the clock trying to have them apply, screen, and interview as soon as possible. Otherwise, they are gone. I bring the staffing issue into this conversation because it goes together with work/life balance. If you are hiring, you need to take calls after hours, and maybe facilitate video interviews vs. coming into the office. I know this infringes on your home life, but these are challenging times with no relief coming down the pike. This staffing cycle can’t be broken if your staff doesn’t want to use their cell phones to call and text candidates. I respect that your office leaders want boundaries between work and family. But that isn’t an option in this current climate. That is one reason why recruiters like me get hired. You don’t have the time or flexibility to screen people at 6 a.m. or 8 p.m. But you really have no choice. If you receive a text from your recruiter that you have a candidate, jump on it. It is not something that can wait for tomorrow because those candidates will be gone.

When I was speaking on work/life balance to corporations, these are the things I shared:

. One that is achievable. You want to go to the casino on Friday night. If you have a goal, you will socialize less with colleagues or skip lunch to get ahead of the paperwork.

. Realize that you can not control certain variables such as the patient coming in late and throwing your schedule off. Push your plans to meet at the casino at 7 p.m. instead of 6 p.m.

 Why leave money on the table? Everyone is expendable. The place will roll without you. Your teams will adapt.

I believe that when you have a goal, you can find more peace. It is amazing how much time is wasted in every industry with nonsense. If people worked smart and complained less, you would have a better balance. But the more I schmooze, the longer it takes for me to get out of there at the end of the day. Instead, stay focused and go after what you want. Make some boundaries but realize you may have to be flexible in trying times like right now.

Email me at diana2@discussdirectives.com and share what you think about work/life balance and if you have one.

Work/life balance is anything but easy in today's labor shortage climate.

The Myth of Work/Life Balance in Dentistry

As a dental recruiter, I am amazed at the passion I hear from professionals about their love for this profession. It is refreshing to hear the energy and excitement are still there even in this day and age. It makes me stop and think, why I love it too. Think about it. How do you answer this question?

Many of you remember from earlier articles that I didn’t find the dental field, but rather, it found me. A TMJ diagnosis and a grueling dental history to get the care I needed without going into debt were the precipitants to where I am at today. I have had so many of you working on this gold-plated mouth for 11 years. Not a journey I savor, but one that has impacted my life and kept me humble.

Along the way, I had teams of dental professionals with their hands in my mouth. You have been crucial to my well-being. I can chew, talk, and open my mouth without pain. These are things we take for granted until we run into a problem. When I had the opportunity to work the front desk and recruit in the dental world, the pieces seemed to really fit. I am grateful for the exceptional care I have received and feel recruiting is a way for me to give back to this profession. Along the way, I have met some incredible people that are doing amazing things in this field. Some are in the 

Mastermind Group with me, but others are job seekers from a variety of disciplines just trying to find the perfect practice to join.

It is so rewarding to interview candidates and watch them get so excited to be moved forward to the hiring manager. Enthusiasm is not easy to manufacture. Even when it hasn’t been the right fit for the applicant (usually due to childcare constraints), I have watched incredible candidates move forward in their careers to better opportunities. I want them to be successful in finding the perfect opportunity to best meet their needs.

I am not being hired to be happy when candidates can’t get hired, but it is heartfelt. I see people who are struggling out there. They are not earning a solid living and yet they keep moving forward and following their dreams. Some have an incredible sense of humor that is infectious, along with their laughter and their ideas. It makes me realize that if you are in a great office, you are so fortunate. These are families of choice that make for a really healthy work environment.

The compassion I have seen some of these dentists have to really take care of their staff has truly stunned me. One dentist had a hygienist who got cancer. The staff donated their PTO time to help her as she was off for months with treatment. The dentist promised her that she would have a job to return to and not to worry. When she returned to work, it was gradual until she could tolerate a full day. I don’t know about you, but that is the kind of boss I like to have.

What about you? Have you given thought to what you love? Is it the people? That is the number one thing applicants tell me. The patients are why they do what they do. That is a true testament to the kind of professionals you are working with. The commitment to the profession is astonishing, to say the least. With that said, I just want to tell you a collective thank you from all dental patients. This is why you work in this profession.

Please email me at diana2@discussdirectives.com and let me know what you love about working in this field!

The commitment dental professionals have to their patients is refreshing and it is part of what makes the field such a fulfilling career.

What I Love About Working in the Dental Field

It’s Time to Make Peace Both Personally and Professionally. Image courtesy of fizkes/stock.adobe.com. 


The holiday season is upon us. Don’t you think it is time to resolve issues that have been causing anger, grief, and stress over time? Hear me out, and yes, this has everything to do with dental practices.

Thanksgiving was not necessarily an enjoyable time for everyone. Many families have fractured for a multitude of reasons, like old disagreements. Are you mad at your brother? Feel inferior when you spend time with your parents? Jealous of your sibling’s accomplishments, money, prestige, or power? Now, you get to see them over the holidays and deal with tension in the air. Is it real or imagined?

You avoid all this negativity by skipping family get-togethers. “Out of sight out of mind” might be your thinking process, but you want your kids to hang out with their cousins or at least have a relationship with their grandparents. Or do you? Not all families are the picture-perfect image like the television show 

, where this extended family, who may have their issues, are always behind each other in the end. Many families have challenges such as death, incarceration, mental health issues, substance abuse, or unresolved pent-up anger that has percolated and built up over the years.

I am not going to tell you to play nice and work things out as that is condescending. You know your situation best. Some families find staying away is the best thing they can do. I get it. Bridges have been burned. I am referring to situations where things can be salvaged. What do you want from your family? Do you want one that is close and has your back unconditionally? My first question is “What happened?” If there are grudges from the past, what are they? I ask this question so many times and tend to get the same response. “I don’t remember.” These are the families for which I am hopeful. How bad could the infraction have been if you do not remember it?

Reevaluate your feelings about family members. If you want to have a healthier family situation, what can you do about it? Ego is a tough thing to put aside, but what if you started taking steps to reconnect with your family? What is the best thing that could happen? What is the worst? The real question is what is stopping you?

What does this have to do with a dental practice? Everything. So often, the family life we have falls into our work life. If I get upset at work but sit on my feelings, they fester and grow. Resentment builds unless it is addressed and defused. Just like your holiday get-together, letting conflict with a co-worker go unchecked can impair your confidence, inhibitions, and peace of mind. Your colleagues and boss are your family since you are with them more awake hours a day than you are with your own family.

Some of you may say, “Yep, she is at it again about communication,” but it is a mantra I use in every aspect of my life. How we communicate at work, home, school, or religious institutions matters. Grudges will impact your life negatively if you do not address and make peace.

In the workplace, it can fester into a hostile workplace incredibly fast. My question is, what are you going to do about it? My challenge to you is to look at your relationships at home and work and make them better. Some things will not get better for a variety of reasons. But I believe that all our lives would inherently be happier with less stress if we can fix some of these challenges by burying the hatchet. Consider it. Let me know if you agree or disagree with me.

As we approach the holidays and the end of the year, it may be a good time to reflect on interpersonal relationships both personally and professionally. 