7 minute read
The Wellness Advantage: Unlocking Peak Performance in Your Dental Career
By Trent J. Neisen, DDS, FAGD, FICOI
The List
Marathon (26.2 Miles).
Ironman 70.3.
World’s Toughest Mudder (24-hour obstacle race).
After reading this list, you might be thinking one of the following:
“That sounds like a lifetime’s worth of athletic challenges.”
“Game on! I’m inspired to take on a challenge myself!”
“Oof… just reading those makes me sweat.”
“Been there, done that.”
Whatever your reaction, my goal with this article is simple: to show you how wellness can be your greatest advantage in performing dentistry at your highest level.
While I completed all three of these events within a 14-month span, this isn’t about boasting or “flexing.” My purpose is to share the lessons I’ve learned and demonstrate how exercise, nutrition and recovery are not just for elite athletes — they are the foundation for thriving in dentistry. These habits create a supercharged version of yourself — one that shows up every day energized, focused and ready to perform at the highest level.
Wellness Principle No. 1: Exercise
Case Study: Marathon (26.2-Mile Run)
On June 1, 2024, I ran my best marathon yet — 3:32:41 at the Fargo Marathon. I came up just short of my goal to break 3:30:00, but I was still proud of the accomplishment.
The biggest component of training for this event? Running. A lot of running. My longer runs came on the weekends, but many shorter ones and interval sessions happened in the mornings before my days as a dentist. While the purpose of logging the miles was to perform well on marathon day, my runs started providing unexpected benefits in my day-to-day work.
You might be thinking:
“I don’t have time to exercise before work.”
“I don’t get enough sleep as it is.”
“If I train in the morning, I’ll be exhausted by the end of the day.”
But here’s what I found — morning exercise is my secret weapon to showing up to work in a peak state. Here are the three biggest benefits I’ve experienced from training before a day of practicing dentistry.
1. Enhanced Alertness
Morning workouts wake up both your body and brain, improving focus, reaction time and decision-making — critical skills for patient care and complex procedures.
Increased blood flow and oxygen to the brain help you stay sharp and alert.
Exercise primes your nervous system for a day of high performance.
2. Improved Mood
Physical activity releases endorphins, reducing stress and improving mood. This isn’t just about personal well-being — it impacts your entire practice.
You’ll be more composed, patient and positive in your interactions with both your team and your patients.
Regular exercise builds mental toughness — a key asset in handling the pressures of a demanding career.
3. Increased Physical Stamina
Dentistry is physically demanding — long hours standing, awkward positions and repetitive motions take a toll. Morning training helps counteract these challenges.
Strength and endurance training improve posture, core stability and overall stamina, making it easier to handle the physical demands of dentistry.
Increased stamina reduces the likelihood of midday energy crashes, keeping you engaged and effective throughout the day.
Dr. Trent’s Top Tech and Tools: Exercise
Echelon treadmill: Ideal for consistent winter training without the Minnesota frostbite.
BowFlex SelectTech 1090 dumbbells: Versatile, space-saving dumbbells ranging from 10 to 90 lbs.
Beats Bluetooth headphones: Doubles as a tool for audiobooks and mindset training during workouts.
Wellness Principle No. 2: Nutrition
Case Study: Ironman 70.3 (70.3-Mile Triathlon)
In May 2023, I was a complete newbie to triathlon. By September, I crossed the finish line five minutes under my 6:00:00 goal. The race — a 1.2-mile swim, 56-mile bike ride and a 13.1-mile run — was as much a test of fueling as it was of fitness.
I quickly learned that endurance wasn’t just about training hard; it was about fueling smart. You wouldn’t set off on a cross-country drive without filling the gas tank, and the same principle applies to both triathlon and dentistry. How you fuel your body directly affects your energy, focus and resilience throughout the workday. Here’s how nutrition can become your performance advantage in dentistry:
1. Sustained Energy
Balanced meals with protein, healthy fats and complex carbs provide steady, long-lasting energy.
Steady blood sugar levels help prevent midday crashes, keeping you sharp and engaged rather than sluggish and distracted.
2. Mental Clarity and Cognitive Function
Consuming nutrient-dense foods at consistent intervals helps prevent mental fog that can impact performance.
Staying hydrated prevents headaches, fatigue and loss of concentration.
3. Longevity and Injury Prevention
Maintaining a healthy body weight minimizes strain on your back, neck and joints, reducing injury risk.
Adequate protein intake supports muscle recovery and tissue repair.
Dr. Trent’s Top Tech and Tools: Nutrition
LifeSum app: Tracks calories and even estimates them from a photo — accurate and easy to use.
Fuel Meals: A meal prep delivery service providing convenience and high-quality meals.
1st Phorm supplements: Supplements to fill in the gaps where whole foods may fall short.
Wellness Principle No. 3: Recovery
Case Study: World’s Toughest Mudder (24-Hour Obstacle Race)
On Nov. 9, 2024, I toed the line at the World’s Toughest Mudder, a grueling 24-hour obstacle race. My goal? Earn the coveted 75-mile bib.
Training got me to 50 miles. Grit got me to 75.
I collapsed in tears as I crossed the finish line, overwhelmed with pride.
But here’s the thing — pushing your limits means nothing if you don’t allow your body and mind to recover. Whether it’s training for a grueling 24-hour race or performing precise, high-stakes dental procedures day in and day out, recovery is what allows you to show up at your best.
1. Better Sleep = Better Performance
Deep sleep enhances memory and skill retention, crucial for dentists learning new techniques or improving their craft.
Sleep improves hand-eye coordination and reaction time, essential for precise dental procedures.
2. Maximizing Performance Through Active Recovery
Stretching and mobility work improve flexibility and reduce pain from prolonged static postures.
Massage therapy helps alleviate musculoskeletal stress.
3. Unplugging and Decompressing
Mindfulness, meditation and deep breathing help reset your nervous system, reducing daily stress.
Intentional relaxation — whether through reading, mindfulness or a TV episode — helps reset your mind and body.
Dr. Trent’s Top Tech and Tools: Recovery
Garmin Fenix Watch: Tracks sleep quality and recovery readiness.
Hot tub/cold plunge: Heat and cold therapy for muscle recovery and inflammation reduction.
Five-minute journal: Cultivating gratitude and clarity improves overall mindset.
Conclusion
Each of these challenges — the marathon, the Ironman 70.3 and the World’s Toughest Mudder — pushed me to my limits. But what I discovered along the way wasn’t just about endurance, speed or grit. The real lesson was how the same principles of exercise, nutrition and recovery became a powerful advantage in my career as a dentist.
The energy and focus I built through training carried over into my work. The discipline of fueling my body properly kept me sharp during long procedures. The commitment to recovery made me more resilient to the physical and mental demands of dentistry.
At first, I saw these events as physical challenges that would require time and effort just to complete. What I didn’t expect was the realization that prioritizing wellness isn’t just about excelling in sport — it’s the foundation for peak performance in life and dentistry.
So, whether you’re inspired to take on your own challenge or simply looking for ways to feel better and perform at a higher level, I encourage you to invest in your well-being. The greatest competitive advantage in dentistry isn’t just skill or knowledge — it’s also the health, energy and resilience you bring to your practice every single day.
To learn more wellness tips, follow me on my social channels. Search for “DRVN Dentist” — DRVN stands for dedication, remarkability, vitality and nobility.
Trent J. Neisen, DDS, FAGD, FICOI, is a graduate of the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry and completed his advanced education in general dentistry residency at A.T. Still University in Mesa, Arizona. Neisen owns Authentic Dental of Willmar - Dentistry and Implants, in Willmar, Minnesota. To comment on this article, email impact@agd.org.
