Dr Kinnar Shah
Stress Management for Dental Professionals - Flossing Away Your Worries
Dental professionals are no strangers to the occasional biting situation.
Recently I’ve been speaking to quite a few of our colleagues going through a lot of stress. Regularly.
Now some stress is normal should I dare say. I haven’t met anyone in my life who is completely stress free. Perhaps I’m climbing the wrong mountain!
Jokes aside. Living a stressed life isn’t fun. Not just for you but for the loved ones around you. Perhaps you’ve felt and observed that.
In the dental profession, stress comes from numerous sources. We bear a profound responsibility for the well-being of our patients and are tasked with swiftly and accurately diagnosing a multitude of issues. Emergencies elevate the urgency and physical demands of our roles. Furthermore, the looming spectre of potential litigation is always at the back of our minds. Factors such as the fatigue and competency of our dental assistants contribute additional layers of concern. For those who own their practices, there are unique stresses tied to financial management, overseeing staff, handling insurance, and navigating legalities. These combined responsibilities, layered with inherent emotional and psychological challenges, make our profession particularly demanding, even just reading about it can induce tension.
As George Bernard Shaw quipped, “The only man I know who behaves sensibly is my tailor; he takes my measurements anew each time he sees me. The rest go on with their old measurements and expect me to fit them.”
Like the ever-evolving landscape of a patient’s mouth, stressors in a dental professional’s life evolve and shift, demanding a fresh approach each time.
I intend to give you some ways to reduce this stress or at-least manage your aura. Because you matter. You are the biggest asset you can invest in. Perhaps take some of these points to help you get back in control and start enjoying more of your life in 2023 and moving forward .
Now some stress is normal should I dare say. I haven’t met anyone in my life who is completely stress free. Perhaps I’m climbing the wrong mountain!
Jokes aside. Living a stressed life isn’t fun. Not just for you but for the loved ones around you. Perhaps you’ve felt and observed that.
In the dental profession, stress comes from numerous sources. We bear a profound responsibility for the well-being of our patients and are tasked with swiftly and accurately diagnosing a multitude of issues. Emergencies elevate the urgency and physical demands of our roles. Furthermore, the looming spectre of potential litigation is always at the back of our minds. Factors such as the fatigue and competency of our dental assistants contribute additional layers of concern. For those who own their practices, there are unique stresses tied to financial management, overseeing staff, handling insurance, and navigating legalities. These combined responsibilities, layered with inherent emotional and psychological challenges, make our profession particularly demanding, even just reading about it can induce tension.
As George Bernard Shaw quipped, “The only man I know who behaves sensibly is my tailor; he takes my measurements anew each time he sees me. The rest go on with their old measurements and expect me to fit them.”
Like the ever-evolving landscape of a patient’s mouth, stressors in a dental professional’s life evolve and shift, demanding a fresh approach each time.
I intend to give you some ways to reduce this stress or at-least manage your aura. Because you matter. You are the biggest asset you can invest in. Perhaps take some of these points to help you get back in control and start enjoying more of your life in 2023 and moving forward .
1. Begin Your Day with Mindfulness:
Start each morning with a 5-minute meditation session. Visualize a peaceful day, devoid of any drilling complications. Think of it as your mental fluoride treatment.
2. Regular Breaks are a Must:
Just as you advise patients to take breaks between sugary snacks, ensure you take short breaks between patients. A quick walk or some stretching exercises can work wonders.
3. Delegate When Necessary:
You wouldn’t ask a hygienist to perform a root canal, so don’t take on every single task yourself. Learn the power of delegation in your administrative duties.
4. Talk it Out:
Establish a peer support group where you can vent, share, and discuss the ‘toothaches’ of your profession. Remember, everyone has had that patient who thought floss was a decorative string.
5. Laugh a Little (or a Lot):
Humor is a great stress reliever. I personally find this the most therapeutic. Stand-up comedy clips on social media or YouTube is my go to place.
6. Professional Development:
Continued learning can be therapeutic. New techniques or technologies might alleviate some stressors, making procedures more straightforward or patient interactions smoother.
7. Maintain a Work-Life Balance:
Don’t bring molars home. Make sure to separate your professional responsibilities from your personal time, so you can recharge adequately.
8. Seek Professional Help if Needed:
Sometimes, managing stress requires expert guidance. It’s okay to consult a therapist or counsellor if things feel overwhelming. Just remember to check if they have experience with dental professionals – you don’t want them confused when you say, “I had a tough day pulling teeth!”
9. Physical Activity:
A bit of exercise can go a long way. If hitting the gym isn’t your thing, consider adopting a sport. Ever thought about “crown”-bowling or “brace”-ball?
10. Stay Organized:
An organized work environment can significantly decrease stress. As they say, an organized dental tray is an organized mind. Okay, maybe nobody says that, but they should!
In conclusion, while the challenges dental professionals face are unique, managing stress is universally essential. Embrace the techniques that resonate most with you and, when in doubt, always remember to take a deep breath and just ‘brush’ it off. And, of course, don’t forget to floss. Your teeth and your mental well-being will thank you!
CLIENT'S TESTIMONIALS
Happy Clients About Me
Vidhi Somaiya
August 23, 2023
Thank you for sharing your pearls of wisdom and experience in the field! Dr. Kinnar offers his time generously and always brings clarity, energy and direction to you and your team.
Ankur Sachdeva
July 27, 2023
I cannot express enough how grateful I am to have crossed paths with Dr Kinnar. As a overseas graduate dentist and taken a long break from profession, I was facing challenges with case acceptance and needed guidance. I am so fortunate that Dr Govind introduced me to him and they took me under their wing.
From the moment I started working with Dr Kinnar, it was a moment which goes like 'When the student is ready, the teacher appears'. His expertise and dedication to helping professionals like me achieve success are truly commendable.
Dr Kinnar has been instrumental in transforming my approach to case acceptance. His insightful strategies and practical tips have significantly improved my patient interactions, leading to higher acceptance rates. I have experienced remarkable growth, and I owe a large part of it to him.
I also follow his engaging and enlightening social media content which has been a source of continuous personal development for me. It's incredible how he manages to share his knowledge in such a relatable and motivating way.
Beyond the work realm, I've had the pleasure of meeting him on a personal level, and he is as intriguing as he is inspiring. I have seen him Angry, excited, vulnerable and other mixed bag of emotions which is so human. His connective nature and commitment to making a positive impact on the community are truly admirable.
One surprising aspect of Dr Kinnar is his incredible talent as a piano player. I've had the privilege of witnessing him play at Brisbane during a course. It's a testament to his versatility and well-rounded character.
I wholeheartedly recommend Dr Kinnar to anyone seeking a remarkable mentor. His expertise, paired with his charitable spirit and passion for personal development, makes him an exceptional individual to work with. Whether you're looking to improve your professional skills or seek inspiration for personal growth, he's the perfect guide on your journey.
Thank you, Dr Kinnar, for making a profound impact on my life and career!
santosh Iyer
July 9, 2023
We signed up with Dr.Kinnar for the Destiny Design coaching during 2022-2023. Having attended and enrolled into various team centric courses over the past years, Dr. Kinnar’s program was appealing to us as he offered us on-site training, tailored specifically for us. Also it gave our team with an opportunity to improve their communication skills and to collectively regroup to set and achieve new targets.
Before we started our on site training we had an one on one goal and expectation setting call with Dr.Kinnar. On this call we came up with specific goals that we as owners wanted Kinnar to help us achieve.
We had 6 training days spread across the whole year with Kinnar training our team on his 10 strategies. We have definitely seen a monetary boost to our revenue. We also streamlined our workflow which was agreed by the entire team, meant everyone played a part in it to implement the strategies.
At the end of the training we are happy that we have reached 90% of the goals that we had set and the remaining 10% well within reach. Thanks Kinnar for your guidance.
Santosh and Sandy
Vinoth Kumar
July 6, 2023
A Life-Changing Journey with an Exceptional Mentor and Coach
Dr Kinnar Shah.....
I had the extraordinary privilege of working with a remarkable personal mentor and coach for the past few years, and I am overwhelmed with gratitude for the profound impact Dr Kinnar have had on my life. From the very first interaction, it was evident that he was not only highly skilled and knowledgeable, but also genuinely invested in my personal growth and success.
One of the most striking qualities of Dr Kinnar was his ability to establish a deep sense of trust and rapport. He created a safe and supportive space where I felt comfortable sharing my vulnerabilities, fears, and aspirations. His empathetic nature and non-judgmental attitude made it easy for me to open up and explore my thoughts and emotions freely.
Throughout our journey together, he demonstrated exceptional listening skills. He was truly present in each session, attentively absorbing every word I spoke. His ability to ask insightful and thought-provoking questions helped me gain clarity on my goals, values, and aspirations. By challenging my perspectives and beliefs, Dr Kinnar encouraged me to dig deeper and uncover the root causes of my challenges.
What sets my mentor apart is his unwavering belief in my potential. He constantly reminded me of my strengths, empowering me to overcome self-doubt and embrace new possibilities. His guidance was not limited to theoretical advice; he encouraged practical action and held me accountable for taking steps towards my goals. Dr Kinnar's support extended beyond our sessions, as he provided additional resources, recommended reading materials, and even connected me with relevant contacts in their network.
Highly recommened and not to be missed...
shahana abed
June 14, 2023
On the recommendation of a friend, I reached out to Dr Kinnar for coaching and some direction on how to accelerate my path to my goals. While I was unsure what to expect, I had made a list of things that I was hoping I might be able to discuss and get some clarity on. In the time we had, we discussed and evaluated all my strengths and also how to best use those to achieve said goals. Dr Kinnar gave me ‘next steps’ on all the points I had on my list and also steps to achieve the long term goals I have. The session was informative, engaging and hugely productive. I can say with confidence that I made the right choice reaching out and I plan to register for the upcoming course he will be conducting. I have no hesitation in recommending Dr Kinnar’s ‘creative coaching concepts’ for anyone who wants some clarity or acceleration in their career path.
Dr Kanowitz The Friendly Dentist
August 14, 2022
Being in the dental progression for 40 years I was stuck in a rut . I met Kinnaar 3-4 years ago at a conference and it was a life changing experience . That zest for dentistry was showered upon me . Not only do I work less but I enjoy my work and production has soared . Working alongside Kinnar has transformed me both mentally, physically and financially . I have been pushed to work outside my comfort zone. This I found very hard at first but with support it has become a lot easier. Meeting Kinnar has been life changing and I recommend his courses as a must in all aspects for your life.
Dr Kanowitz & Associates Dental & Facial Aesthetics
August 14, 2022
Dr Kinnar is what we call a professional with a magnitude of skills that are beyond immeasurable. Not only are these skills applicable in business; they are used to transform ones lives and thus allow them to design their destiny.
It has been somewhat of an emotional roller coaster as I was winging it through most of my studies and work regimes, with no clear direction. Obviously Rome isn’t built in a day, yet since getting on-board with Dr Kinnar, I have increased my personal skills tenfold, and basically allowed all the pieces of the puzzle to come to a complete picture - in essence this has been a complete breakthrough.
In the humblest of ways, I may say that my business acumen has increased immeasurably by being able to apply my knowledge correctly through Dr Kinnars courses, and; since inception, I have created another 2 successful side businesses. With relation to Dental practice in specific, we have taken our practice to creating 6 figures per month. If you want to see an additional (minimum) 30% growth per month then I would highly encourage you to jump on board and immediately join Dr Kinnars courses.
Many thanks Kinnar,
Jason
Rizwan Ahmed
July 4, 2021
How often have you gone through an experience that you knew would change your life forever? I had one off this moments when Dr Kinnar Shah walked into one of his seminars in 2018. I was seated in the audience and knew his talk was going to be special.
Fast forward to 2021, and his mentoring and coaching has made a significant impact on not just the way I do dentistry, but how I look at business, work life balance and team bonding.
In this ever changing environment, where plenty of "influencers" claim they have the magic solution to make dentistry less stressful and more rewarding, Kinnar is someone who has been there, done that and teaches from his own extensive experience.
Changes I've seen in my life since Kinnar starting mentoring include my income tripling, better work life balance, stronger bonds and trust between my team which means the team works more efficiently.
His mentoring has led to a massive shift in my attitude towards success, as it's almost scary when the right mentor shows you what your true potential is, and what you can acheive!
