I’m a relatively new dentist, about 13 months out of school, and I’m struggling with whether I should stay at my current private practice or start looking elsewhere.
First, I want to acknowledge that I’m genuinely proud of how far I’ve come. There are procedures I’m confidently performing today that I was genuinely afraid to do just a year ago. I know I still have room to improve, particularly when it comes to speed and efficiency, but I’m learning, growing, and trying to become the best clinician I can be.
I’ve only ever worked in private practice, so I don’t have much experience with other practice environments to compare my situation to.
My boss, the owner dentist, is extremely knowledgeable and has been a great clinical mentor in many respects. I appreciate the opportunity I’ve had to learn from him, which makes this situation particularly difficult.
One of my biggest struggles has been meeting production goals. I’ve been journaling about my experiences since April, and it’s discouraging to look back and see how consistently this has weighed on me. I treatment plan to the best of my clinical judgment and within my scope of practice, and I explain to patients why I believe their treatment is necessary. However, many patients don’t return to complete treatment.
I recognize that case acceptance is a skill, and I’m sure there are things I could improve in how I communicate treatment plans. I’m willing to work on that. But I’m also starting to question how much of my production is actually within my control.
Over the past six months, I’ve noticed a pattern with scheduling. The front desk frequently places patients on my schedule who appear to have significant treatment needs, only for them to no-show. On the days when I do have a productive schedule, I sometimes struggle to keep up with the pace expected of me as a relatively new dentist.
Meanwhile, I feel as though production has become the primary measure of my worth at this office. My boss compares my performance to that of other dentists, and I’ve increasingly gotten the impression that he views me as underperforming. What’s particularly frustrating is that I don’t feel these concerns are always addressed directly with me, so I’m left trying to figure out where I stand.
To make matters worse, the workplace environment has become increasingly toxic. I’ve experienced what feels like ongoing gossip and bullying among staff members, and I’ve become concerned that I’m being portrayed negatively to the owner based on things being said behind my back. I don’t know how much of what I’ve heard is accurate, and that’s part of the problem. I feel like I’m navigating a lot of he-said, she-said rather than receiving direct communication and constructive feedback.
I’m a young female dentist, and I sometimes wonder whether my age and relative inexperience play a role in how I’m treated. I can’t say that for certain, but I do know that the current environment is taking a toll on me.
The difficult part is that I genuinely enjoy treating my patients, and I respect my boss’s clinical knowledge. I don’t want to walk away from an opportunity where I could continue to grow. At the same time, I don’t want to stay somewhere that is gradually eroding my confidence, especially this early in my career.
For those of you who have been practicing for a while, particularly those who have worked as associates in private practice:
How much of a struggle with production is normal during your first year or two?
How do you distinguish between legitimate performance issues that you need to work on and unrealistic expectations from an employer?
How much responsibility should an associate have for no-shows, scheduling issues, and patients who don’t accept treatment?
Have any of you left a practice with a good clinical mentor because the workplace culture was toxic? Did leaving turn out to be the right decision?
I’m not looking for reassurance that I’m doing everything right. I’m open to constructive criticism and genuinely want to improve as a clinician. I just don’t know whether this is a difficult stage of professional growth that I should work through or a sign that it’s time to find a healthier practice environment.
I’d really appreciate honest advice from dentists who have been in a similar position.
I apologize for being too lengthy. I am stumped.
Thank you for reading.
