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Behind Every Great Dentist Are Other Great Dentists

Imtiaz Manji

July 12, 2010

Clinical mentor providing hands-on training to new dentists to help reduce dental associate ramp time and improve clinical confidence through dental mentorship

It’s often said that you are known by the company you keep. But it’s not just a matter of appearances; in many ways, the trajectory of your life will be defined by the people you choose to surround yourself with. It’s interesting, then, that this is one area of our lives that we tend not to be strategic about. We prefer to let relationships develop naturally rather than actively cultivate the right ones with the right people.

Throughout our lives, we have the opportunity to expand our social circle strategically. We can choose to spend time not only with people who are just like us, but also with those who represent what we aspire to be, people who challenge and inspire us through dental mentorship.

We love being around people who share our enthusiasm for the same things. But we need to be around people who show us new possibilities, people who will see our abilities and raise us to new visions. This is one of the great things I love about Spear Resident Faculty — how they all contribute to making the organization better, and how that, in turn, makes each individual within it better.

Take a look around and ask yourself, “Who fulfills this role in my life? Who are my most inspiring colleagues? Who is living the kind of life in dentistry that I would like to live?”

Then do what you can to align yourself with these thought leaders and see for yourself the energy they can bring to your career and life, if you let them.

Frequently Asked Questions

Dental mentorship exposes you to new ways of thinking and practicing that you might not discover on your own. Surrounding yourself with experienced colleagues, such as through peer relationships built in Spear Study Clubs, can accelerate your growth far more than working in isolation.

Look for colleagues who challenge you and represent the kind of practice and career you aspire to. Joining a structured community, such as a Spear Study Club, is one of the most reliable ways to connect with dentists who can serve as mentors consistently.

Yes, mentorship can develop naturally through everyday relationships, but being intentional about it, for example, by participating in a Spear Study Club, helps ensure you’re regularly learning from and being inspired by the right people.

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