What I Love About Working in the Dental Field

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 Dental Products Report^® 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!