This blog is dedicated to dental students everywhere – I had the unique privilege of speaking to students last evening at the Loma Linda School of Dentistry in Loma Linda, California. I was very pleased with the professionalism and the dedication of the students to the study of their craft. I was totally impressed with their knowledge, their participation in the seminar and their understanding of the importance of creating the vision for their ideal practice now. We had fun with leader techniques and how to apply them to different situations that they may encounter. I liked their responses – including the one to put the staff member on notice who mishandled a patient. Great ideas, wonderful visions and with plenty of time to create, change and become who they need to be in order to have the practice of their dreams.
I also learned that they want to learn more about running the business – so many roles to play – leader, teacher, trainer, dentist, student, associate and of course on their own – business owner! I have helped so many business owners create their visions and put them on a vision board with their photo front and center so they can see themselves right where they want to be; they can change it as their ideas change and bring it into being by focusing on exactly what they want. I encourage students to begin to gather photos of their ideal locations, people they want to be surrounded with, even the types of patients, from their backgrounds to locations and make a collage of their ideal practice. Include numbers and emotions, the hours you want to work, your revenue targets and even your exit strategy! Just have fun with it and let yourself be boundless.
There are exciting years ahead with opportunities to break the molds and have practices that cater to patients working different shifts and making it work for both patients, staff and themselves so they can play when they want and be the fun and creative person in and out of the office. You design it and they will come!
It doesn’t matter if you are a first year student or a fourth – beginning with a vision can pull you through school and help you become strategic in choosing where to apply to be an associate. Making it dynamic allows you to change it as you change and as your ideas about the kind of practice you want to have changes. Nothing is static – everything flows and forms according to the thoughts you have and the pictures you create about your practice and how you see yourself in it.
I also learned from the buzz in the hallways that this dynamic atmosphere was fun and electric with learning and sharing. I am grateful to have been there and feel enriched for my experience! Go dental students!
Best of Success,
