Elevating Mental Resilience: Cultivating Calm and Excellence Through Wellness By Sweta Shah, DDS, FAGD
A
s I begin to write this article, I am reminded of a profound quote shared by my fifth-grade teacher, a sentiment attributed to Mahatma Gandhi that resonates even more deeply today: “Happiness is when what you think, what you say and what you do are in harmony.” Dentistry is one of the greatest professions in the field of healthcare, and now is the most exciting time in the history of dentistry due to its evolution in innovation and technology. This exciting era, however, demands a unique blend of precision and empathy for dentists and dental professionals. Dental training fosters a strong emphasis on perfectionism, challenging practitioners to excel in both meticulous procedures and complex human interactions. Ultimately, the demanding nature of dentistry necessitates exceptional organizational skills, empathy and an unwavering attention to detail.1 Dentists are typically intelligent and well-rounded and possess strong organizational skills, crucial for managing the daily challenges inherent in their profession. Dentists are responsible for ensuring flawless work, such as achieving precise margins, and prioritizing patient comfort. Vigilance against potential complications is paramount. During procedures, practitioners must simultaneously manage numerous factors, including the procedure itself, patient exams, emergencies, laboratory case management, adherence to schedules, financials, optimal patient comfort, pain management, staff training and team coordination.2 Maintaining mental fortitude is essential in this demanding environment. While dental education provides a foundation in both the art and science of the field, the core of successful practice lies in meticulous attention to detail and the pursuit of perfection. The percentage of dentists with anxiety more than tripled in 2021 compared to 2003, according to the American Dental Association’s “2021 Dentist Health and Well Being Survey Report.”3 While the COVID-19 pandemic was surely a major force in 2021, other factors have been influencing dentists’ mental wellbeing for decades. Dentistry, like many industries, is undergoing rapid technological evolution. Dentists are constantly presented with new research, techniques, materials and digital advances, requiring them to allocate significant time outside of clinical practice to remain current.4 While technology propels the field forward, the sheer volume of information — from research and trends to social media and artificial intelligence — presents a formidable challenge. Dentists
12
AGD IMPACT
APRIL 2025
must adapt to a pace of knowledge acquisition far exceeding historical norms in addition to the fast-paced environment of daily practice demands. This constant influx, while stimulating, requires a dedication to lifelong learning and a mastery of new technologies. While striving for excellence is important, too much perfectionism can hurt well-being if left unchecked. It can also affect one’s personal life, making practitioners feel unconsciously that they must be perfect in everything. This constant need to process and integrate new information, coupled with the inherent pursuit of perfection, can lead to a