BACK TO THE OATH: Rediscovering Our Why
DR. RHODA J. SWORD GDA Editor
T is concept is discussed at each year’s always impactful White Coat Ceremony. For the ceremony, the class transitioning from their D1 to D2 year (when they begin to treat patients) creates a class-specifi c oath that they read together out loud, a way to bring importance to the words while standing shoulder-to-shoulder, holding one another accountable! Our white coats and our oaths are the
Do you remember what your dental school class oath
said?Do you remember all the noble things you promised to do for your patients, yourself, and your profession? Sadly, I do not remember mine, but I remember the promises–the underlying theme: not to harm, to help. I always joke about “saving lives, one tooth at a time,” but isn’t that what we vowed to do? And, in doing so, to change the world… just the little things, right? Every Dental College of Georgia dentist
who graduated in the class of 2006 and aſt er (I was 2003) had a formal White Coat Ceremony in which they learned the meaning and gravity of the white coat. When we put it on, we command respect, but we can also elicit fear, and if we are truly honest with ourselves, from time to time, even the dreaded imposter syndrome. So many emotions and consequences tied to donning a garment!
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essence of what sets us apart as dental professionals, in a way that sets us apart from any other business or industry. T e public expects more of us. We expect more of ourselves! When we are not allowed to practice this profession in the way we feel we should, we become defensive because we care so very much! Yes, we care for our businesses, and the people who work for us and with us, but we care most about our patients and healing them. Recently, a patient of mine who is also
an ophthalmologist asked me, “What is your favorite procedure to do?” I have completed a variety on her, so as a fellow medical professional, she was genuinely interested. I had to think about that for a few minutes as I continued to work. When taking a step back, I do love the challenge of a complex direct restoration others thought was hopeless, or the beauty of a “perfect” crown margin and impression, but, honestly, that is not what excites me in my core. My deepest fulfi llment comes from the process, the healing... It begins with a patient walking in, oſt en scared of “the dentist” and feeling embarrassed about their mouth’s condition. “Doc, you’ve never seen a mouth this bad before, have you?” Well, the answer is almost always, “yes, and much worse.” T e love of the profession for me comes in talking
to that patient, understanding how they got “here” and how we are going to get “there” from “here.” How will I move and motivate this patient on a journey to dental health and stability. How will I help them to trust me, to trust us, as a profession (sometimes aſt er losing it from another provider)? How will I convince them I care more about their health than the payment that comes from their treatment? T is is the challenge, that when done well, is my favorite “procedure.” It is the entire process! Moving a patient from broken and scared to “healed.” T e dentistry is always only a small part of it! I (and I know I am not alone) routinely talk to patients about their overall health, diet, exercise, nutrition, sleep. Do they see a primary care physician who knows them and their needs and follows them as those needs change? If not, can I help them fi nd one? Oh, we do so much more than dentistry. It is these moments that take us back to the why. T ey take us back to our oath. When we are on the verge of walking away or of burn out, remember our “why.” T e class of 2028 composed an
absolutely beautiful and poignant call to the professionals they want to be. T ey do not yet know how tall of an order fulfi lling such an oath requires, but they will, and we will be there to guide them. We will mentor them and will come alongside them when they lose heart and have a bad day and seem to take more steps backward than forward. I encourage you to say this oath with them, for yourself. Re-commit to the why as so beautifully penned by the DCG Class of 2028, especially future dentists Class President Colton Villa and TJ Allen. Say it with me. Put your name in the
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