Challenges appear each day. Often, we exaggerate the drama at the moment, whether it be a staff member missing work, a difficult treatment schedule, unruly patients or even a bad test score from one of our children. While each of these situations may be deemed important at the time, the negative energy soon fades, and we move on with life. Health is so important to all of us, but putting family and friends first must be primary. 

My daughter, Jessica, spontaneously had pain in her right lower back area. A visit to an urgent care facility resulted in immediate transport to the local emergency room. There, she suffered in extreme pain waiting for a bed to open. Eventually, a diagnosis of a serious perfusion issue with her kidney was made. This required placement of a stent and a follow-up surgical intervention several weeks later. The five-hour surgery was scheduled and we were advised that there was a serious possibility that she would lose her kidney. As a father, I would gratefully give her my kidney or do anything to relieve her of this trauma. There is nothing worse than sitting in pre-op with your child, who is crying hard. At the time, all the other issues going on around me seemed invisible. Patients who failed to show, crowns or bridges that did not seat properly, the patient who feels the eight newly seated veneers are not quite white enough — they were tiny upsets in the grand scheme of things. 

Fortunately, the surgery went well, and her condition was treated. In the age of COVID-19, many patients and friends developed a myriad of symptoms. Several of my patients died. So, my point is that each day needs to be appreciated, and we should always focus on the positive things that make us happy. It takes only a moment for a life-changing event to take hold (although these events are not always negative; positive events also can occur spontaneously). As dentists, we often focus on the bad results and quickly put out of our minds outstanding clinical accomplishments. 

So, what are some of the occurrences that affect us? Graduating from any level of education is uplifting. Graduating from professional school is certainly a high achievement. Acceptance into a residency or specialty program is exhilarating. Starting a practice or getting paid to do the job you were trained to do warms the heart. Having children is so exciting and scary at the same time. These experiences change the direction of life. 

Today, a longtime patient told me an amazing story. Years previously, she and her husband failed to get pregnant. The doctor then wanted to test for egg and sperm compatibility. They were indeed compatible, but they needed to decide what to do with the unused embryos — implant them, donate them to science, dispose of them or spare them with cryotherapy. For 16 years, they paid to save the embryos. Recently, they found a service that takes the donated embryos to help couples unable to conceive. After much physical testing, those one-day-old embryos were provided to a deserving couple. Because one-day old embryos are rare, they needed to grow before implanting. (What amazing technology medical scientists have created.) Well, lo and behold, the worthy couple, who were unable to conceive, became pregnant and recently delivered a healthy, beautiful baby girl. A true miracle. This baby was not an accident, but a designed life process. Just goes to show you that life has many paths that often cannot be planned. 

Self-improvement is never a waste. Every dentist and dental learner has unique qualities that push us into our chosen profession. General dentists in particular wear many hats and become proficient in so many aspects of oral/head and neck medicine. It is easy to become overwhelmed at times with the challenges of balancing running a business with having a blissful family life. Developing oneself into a healthy, strong, well-educated and competent individual is a recipe for success. No matter what circumstances arise, it is necessary to sometimes take a step back and evaluate all the positive accomplishments you’ve achieved. This includes personal and familial relationships and the effects we have on others, including our patients and the community at large. 

As dentists, we are incredibly special professionals who undeniably make a difference to those around us. Never forget that you have a society of friends and colleagues in our AGD who elevate success and are there when things seem dark. Take time to reflect once in a while. When you see good in others, you feel good in yourself. If you are not willing to change, you can’t expect your life to, either.