It Takes a Village to Treat This Dentist
One of my last blogs talked about my consternation around seeing myself differently when Lee Brady and I looked at my photographs. Lee and I did her case about four or five years ago and now the tables are reversed. An odd spot for both of us but one I think we will enjoy. She commented as we were doing my treatment conference that this was a challenging place for her and that at times she was hoping that I would forget that I asked her to take care of me. Yet, her experiences as a patient and the learning she has experienced with her study club gave her all the tools she needs to take care of me and maybe more importantly to be able to tell me about her moment of anxiousness.
My treatment may take me into ortho, perio, restorative, and because we are redoing some things, I might even end up with the endodontist. Many of the specialists we will work with we’ve seen in study club environments over the years. And all of us have learned how to work in an interdisciplinary manner because of those study clubs.
I think that my most profound learning has always occurred in study clubs. It is no accident that my role here at Spear is leading our system of almost 200 study clubs. I am such a believer in the group learning process that the work is a calling, not a job.
There is no experience more powerful than a group of dentists who are committing themselves to a higher learning path coming together for just that purpose. The process of going to courses together, then following it up with regular meetings to reinforce that learning is the surest way to a happier, healthier, more productive practice.
I think about the study clubs I’ve been part of and those relationships are still strong. I was challenged, supported, enlightened, and often delighted by the experiences. The fellowship of learners was fun and always stimulating and not only did we always get better as clinicians, I know we grew as leaders, spouses, parents, and friends.
If you aren’t part of a study club, find one or better yet, be the catalyst to start one. If you are interested in our study club, just click the link at the top of the page and learn more. If what we offer doesn’t work, find something that does! You will never regret it!
