Dentistry is undeniably a rewarding profession. The joy of transforming a patient’s smile and boosting their confidence is unparalleled. However, dentists often juggle the roles of medical professionals and entrepreneurs, making the quest for work-life balance a challenge. Striking this balance is not just about personal wellbeing; it’s also intricately linked to the profitability and success of the dental practice.

The Challenges of Balancing Dentistry and Personal Life

Dentists are no strangers to the demands of their profession. Long hours, intricate procedures, and the constant need to update skills can take a toll on personal time. Add to this the responsibilities of running a dental business, from managing staff to ensuring patient satisfaction, and the scales can tip heavily towards work, leaving little room for personal life. This imbalance can lead to burnout, decreased productivity, and financial strain.

A review of the ‘worst jobs for your health’ makes sobering reading for the entire dental team. The US Government Department of Labour reviews over 950 jobs in the USA and assesses the worst jobs for health… so you can imagine they cover a wide range of desirable and undesirable jobs.

The criteria used include:

• Exposure to toxins
• Exposure to microbes
• Exposure to radiation
• Being seated

NOTE: this review does NOT include stress in the workplace.

Despite that, the worst jobs for health out of over 950 jobs are dental surgeon, dental nurse and dental hygienist… and that is BEFORE factoring in stress levels.

It’s a sobering report and statistic, to say the least.

The Financial Implications of Work-Life Balance

A well-balanced life isn’t just about personal contentment; it has direct financial implications for dental practice. A mentally and physically refreshed dentist is more likely to be productive, make fewer errors, and provide superior patient care. On the flip side, burnouts can lead to absenteeism, reduced patient inflow, and increased operational costs, affecting the bottom line.

Too many practitioners equate hours worked and the number of patients seen with financial reward. In dentistry, that is not the case. There is a point of diminishing returns. Finding the balance is key to practice success, quality of work, patient satisfaction, financial success and a better work/life balance.

Strategies for Achieving Work-Life Balance

In the fast-paced world of dentistry, achieving a work-life balance can seem like a distant dream. However, the right strategies can support you to find an equilibrium between professional responsibilities and personal fulfilment.

Stress in the Workplace

Australian workers are the second most stressed workforce in the world. Second only to the USA, with New Zealand coming in third.

According to a 2023 Gallup Report (State of the Australian & New Zealand Workforce):

• Most Australian and New Zealand employees are “quiet quitting” (not engaged) or “loud quitting” (actively disengaged).
  
• Nearly 5 in 10 Australian and 4 in 10 New Zealand employees say they experience much stress at work.
  

NOTE: While this does not explicitly refer to dental practices, it is fair to say that dental practices are an even stressful than most other workplaces.

Engagement is the key to managing stress

70% of employees observe that their managers are the greatest contributors to their stress levels and mental health. With targeted coaching and mentoring practice leaders, managers and their teams can significantly increase engagement and reduce stress.

The key is to have regular, meaningful conversations which significantly impact engagement. According to the 2023 Report:

“Employee engagement reflects the involvement and enthusiasm of employees in their work and workplace. Employees can become engaged when their basic needs are met and when they have a chance to contribute, a sense of belonging, and opportunities to learn and grow.”

Measuring Employee Wellbeing

In our assessments, we gauge the overall quality of life experienced by employees. Crucial metrics for wellbeing encompass life satisfaction, frequency of negative emotions, susceptibility to burnout, and the extent to which employees feel their organisation is invested in their well-being.

Delegation & Coaching

As a dentist, it’s natural to want to oversee every aspect of your practice. However, micromanaging can lead to burnout. Trusting your team, delegating tasks, and having regular, meaningful conversations can lead to a more balanced work environment.

Coaching and mentoring is an opportunity for leaders to check-in on themselves and refine what and how they manage their team. Like so many things in life, when it comes to relationships, it is not a ‘set-and-forget’ approach.

Your health and that of your team and practice are your wealth, and a coach is the investment advisor you didn’t know you needed.

A Strength-Based Approach

So often meetings focus is on what is going wrong with an individual or practice. Yet, every person and practice have many strengths which often go unrecognised. 

A strength-based focus reverses that and uses existing strengths inherent within a team as a springboard to a more productive, engaged, healthier and happier team, all of which is essential for a patient -centred approach….it’s a win-win-win all round.

Working on the practice

Running a dental practice involves more than just treating patients. Working on the practice is as important as working in the practice. Designing your ideal working day, appointment scheduling for a daily balance, administrative tasks, from billing to scheduling, can be time-consuming.

Building systems to streamline your practice and leave more time for a patient-centred approach.

The Physical and Emotional Benefits of Balance

Achieving work-life balance isn’t just about personal wellbeing; it has tangible benefits for the practice as well. A well-rested, balanced dentist can build stronger relationships with patients, leading to increased trust and satisfaction. Patients can sense when their dentist is stressed or overworked, which can impact their overall experience. Patients can sense the difference too.

Moreover, dentistry is a physically demanding profession. Sitting for long hours, potentially compromising your posture to ensure better vision and access all take their toll… but it doesn’t need to be that way.

In order to solve a problem, it always helps to identify it first ,and then explore the many options available that can be transformative. A balanced life ensures that dentists are physically fit, reducing the risk of injuries and ensuring they can provide the best care to their patients.

Work-Life Balance is Vital

Work-life balance is not a luxury in dentistry; it’s a necessity. It plays a pivotal role in ensuring not just the profitability of a dental practice but also its longevity. A well-balanced dentist is a successful dentist, one who can provide the highest standard of care while also enjoying personal fulfilment. 

Embracing these strategies can pave the way for a rewarding dental career that stands the test of time.