Relationships Are Worth It

In 2021, my son was living in Augusta, Georgia, for a year as he finished his medical training. He is active in his religion, so when arriving in Augusta, he contacted his local church unit. After attending the first church meeting, the Bishop called him into his office and asked if he would serve as his executive secretary. My son agreed to accept this position and hoped it would help him get better acquainted with other church members. He enjoyed his time there serving members of the congregation, but his position had challenges because it was at the height of Covid restrictions.

Almost all church meetings, large and small, were held virtually on Zoom. As an executive secretary, he was asked to attend council meetings with other church leaders, as well as all regular Sunday meetings. All were held virtually, with little face-to- face interaction.

Upon completing his final year of training, it was time for him to find a permanent job, requiring him to move to a new location. Before moving away, the Bishop asked if he would speak in church to give a farewell address to the congregation.

After completing his talk, a member of the congregation, who served as President of the Elders Quorum, approached him. The President introduced himself, saying, “I don’t think we have ever met.” This same individual had been in the very same meetings that my son had participated in for a solid year. They had been involved in many conversations about many things. These meetings and conversations were conducted on Zoom--not in person. Zoom has been a benefit and blessing during this Pandemic, but virtual meetings are not the same as face-to-face interactions. There is something tangible about seeing someone in person, talking, conversing, and interactions cannot be replaced with virtual reality. My son and the Quorum President, although involved in the same meetings for a year, had not formed any kind of relationship. They were like minded, willing to serve and anxious to help others in need. But they had missed the opportunity to develop what could have been a rewarding relationship. The Pandemic has done that to many of us.

In this Spring of 2022, we are just getting back to normal life and socialization after two years of restricted interactions. Many of us have missed the face-to-face communication we had enjoyed in previous years. Meeting in person, having the opportunity to talk with someone, is something we all took for granted--until we could no longer do it. Virtual meetings and interactions have been necessary for a Pandemic, but they are no panacea. As dentists, we have been lucky because we have been able to see our patients face-to-face on a regular basis. It has been our interactions with colleagues that has suffered.

As I look back on my career of over 40 years practicing dentistry, I realize that the personal relationships I developed with my patients and colleagues have been the most rewarding part of my career. I don’t look forward to how soon I can retire. I worry about losing many of those relationships when I do retire. My patients have been my day-to-day interactions and being their dentist has been a privilege and honor.

Relationships with my colleagues have resulted in long term friendships and have made me a better dentist. I know that these friendships will continue beyond my days of private practice.

I have met colleagues through involvement in continuing education, a wonderful study club, through service and philanthropic opportunities, but mostly through my involvement in organized dentistry. Being actively involved in the AGD, the DOPL Board of Dental Examiners, and the UDA, I have met and worked with amazing individuals. These are people whom I have come to admire and trust and people who have made my practice of dentistry more fulfilling and rewarding. My activity in a study club and UDA have been my most rewarding source of wonderful relationships. Being a leader is challenging and rewarding--in any organization-but the most important thing in getting to know people and becoming friends is to just show up. It has been said that 80% of great leadership is the ability to show up. I would add that a willingness to join professional organizations, and to do your part are also critical. Working with other like-minded individuals, face to face, arm in arm, is the way to keep our profession vital. By our association, we can develop and foster relationships with colleagues professionally and make lasting friendships.

Don’t let the Covid social distancing stop you from developing good relationships with your colleagues. Take advantage of your professional organizations. The solution is composed of the following things: Join Show up Do your share Treat other colleagues as you would like to be treated.

Life is too short to live any other way. Lifelong friends are worth the effort.

Brent A. Larson DDS ADA Delegate