If you wish to view this growth diary in audio or video format , feel free to go there.
Video: Growth Diary 9
Audio: Growth Diaries Podcast 9
We have spoken about growth in so many terms and in the last post, highlighted how useful growth is in a wider circumstance.
Growth is important, more important than CPD, growth has to become a habit. The world is changing rapidly. It is moving fast and the conditions within which you practice dentistry are constantly changing. The teeth may not change and the technical part of dentistry may not change. However the environment, the technology, the materials, the patient expectations, the remuneration systems, and the conditions are around it are changing. On a wider perspective, this change is happening all around you.
If you do not make growth a habit, you may find yourself swimming in unchartered waters or hanging onto what you know.
When you think of physical fitness, you think of visiting the gym or doing exercise on a regular basis. Perhaps daily or perhaps every few days. When you think of health, you think of eating healthy on a regular basis. You don't do this as a one-off sporadically every few months. You do it consistently to remain at level of health and fitness to carry out your daily functions.
Growth is your brain fitness and strength. Growth is building your abilities at a wider level so that you are prepared to face the changes that come around you when they appear unexpectedly. Growth is about preparing yourself before the challenge appears.
Let's take an example. So many dental professionals, teams and practices prepared and built themselves to deliver dentistry within the NHS system. This was dentistry delivered at a fast pace, to offer care to a wider population. Yet over the last few years, we have seen a huge rise in regulations, legalities and bureaucracy. On the other hand, we are faced with an increasing rise in technology and materials as well as patient expectations. Patients want more conversations and explanations, all of which takes time. This enables a different type of conversation when they are in surgery and a totally different way of approaching day to day dentistry.
Those who engaged in growth consistently are ready and riding the wave. Those who did not do this consistently are facing the challenges at multiple levels. They may be embracing the technology but facing staffing issues. They may have a consistent team, but struggling to fill the white space in their diaries. The list is endless. The 15 challenges, that we have spoken about constantly surface and resurface.
Maybe it is time to view growth as something you don't do just before the CPD deadline comes (in July for DCPs and in December for dentists). Maybe it is time to view growth as something you don't do on sporadic courses every few months. Maybe it is time to view growth as a consistent habit that will power your brain strength.
Ultimately growth will give you the tools to be relevant and adaptable in this rapidly changing world.
After all leadership begins with you. If you lead yourself from where you are now, to your next level of performance, then you will lead others too. If you are a team leader, you lead yourself and you will lead your team too.
Maybe it is time to think different and do different. Maybe it will help you rise to the next level. Maybe you will be powerfully adapting and flexing regularly.
When you do not engage in growth, and instead engaged in CPD, you are likely to see the 10 challenges.
If you want to rise above those 15 challenges and become a powerhouse in this rapidly changing world, join us at TubulesLive on the 07th May 2025 as we unravel further. It also has a list of the 10 common challenges – how many of these do you face?
Have a look and if the questions resonate, sign up for the TubulesLive at https://www.dentinaltubules.co...
We hope these posts have given you food for thought. We hope you have found something different to think about. Having understood growth, what do you think growth events should look like? We explore this in the next part.
In other updates...
1. Check out the Tubules Thrive calendar dates for 2025. All our events including 3 super restorative courses with Dr Ed McLaren (in London and Scotland), our thrive days and the Thrive summit in Nice.
All the dates and booking links are at https://www.dentinaltubules.co...
2. We are running 3 exciting composite and ceramic preparation courses with Dr Edward Mclaren from USA. You can book the courses by finding your course link at https://www.dentinaltubules.co...
