Dentaltown November 2013 - (Page 52)

stress management feature by An Anonymous Dentist There are healthy and destructive ways to deal with stress. A dentist details his dark ordeal in the following cautionary tail. There is a dark side to stress and it shows itself in the offices, homes and lives of dentists so overwhelmed they turn to extreme measures to avoid and dull the pain. These maladaptive coping methods range from excessive gym visits, lengthy hours of screen time, sleepless nights, self-injurious behaviors and drug abuse. The shame and embarrassment of these actions make dentists feel alone. But they're not alone. In fact, the statistics on substance abuse among dentists are staggering. Fortunately, there is a way out. Before As a new graduate, I purchased a well-established but antiquated dental practice. I was stuck with old equipment and a hygiene program I didn't want a part of, so after only six months I realized the way this practice was going wasn't for me. I implemented changes including new equipment and better practice management. The next seven years, my gross increased 400 percent (with an average of 52 percent overhead). I was practicing dentistry, had time for my family and for golf. I was doing what I loved to do. I had money and time and toys. Life seemed great. Unfortunately, I didn't know how to make a budget and I was afraid to admit it so I never asked for help. The Catalyst After a few years my practice took off but I was stressed about treatment acceptance. I attended CE courses to offer the very best treatment but became frustrated when I was relegated to basic procedures. It became very taxing and stressful to me 52 NOVEMBER 2013 » dentaltown.com when patients refused what I considered ideal treatment. The stress and pressure of gaining case acceptance was mounting and patients could tell by how I presented treatment. I was the first in my area to use modern technology, and word of mouth spread fast, so quickly I became overwhelmed. I began to feel apprehension each morning on my way to work. It wasn't clear what was wrong at first. I finally realized I was afraid of losing patients. I had them and I needed to keep them. The practice had exploded. My hygiene schedule was booked eight months out and my operative scheduled six months out. I went from 36 hours of office time to 54+ hours a week. We overfilled our schedule from the cancellation lists. Weekends were spent doing lab work. I wouldn't allow myself to delegate anything. I was working like a machine and ignoring what my body was trying to tell me; http://www.dentaltown.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Dentaltown November 2013

Dentaltown.com Highlights
Howard Speaks: Not Getting it Done? Hire a Consultant
Professional Courtesy: Painful Advertising
Continuing Education Update
Second Opinion: The Role of Teamwork in the Third Era of Medicine
Deprogrammed Open Bite Can Help with Veneers
Bruxism Worse with Splint
Corporate Profile: Burbank Dental Laboratory
Product Profile: Eaglesoft 17
Debunking the Social Stigma of Stress
The Personal Side of Stress
In Your Face: Facing the Realities of Stress in Dentistry
When Tragedy Strikes: How to Prepare for and Recover from a Natural Disaster
The Latex Problem: It’s More Complicated Than You Think
Why Dentists Require Specific Exercise
How Much Money Can You Make When You’re Dead?
Denture Stabilizations with Small-diameter Implants
You Should Know: CrownMen
Product Profile: Synergy
Product Profile: NuSmiles ZR
Continuing Education: The New Evolution of Chariside CAD/CAM Technology
Ad Index
In This Issue: Dry Brush Inside Bottom Teeth First
Perio Reports
Dentally Incorrect
101 Ways to Reduce Stress
Achieving Goal Congruency

Dentaltown November 2013