COMMITMENT AND PASSION
A “Romance Novel”? Far from it!
The words commitment and passion provide pavement for the road to fulfillment and success in the specialty of prosthodontics.
Why dentistry?
Way back when we were searching for a life's vocation we knew little of
the particulars and peculiarities of dentistry. Probably few of us
considered the detailed hard work that dentistry really is. Rather we
speculated on one profession among many that would be clean, people
oriented, lucrative, self controlled, medically related, artistic,
scientific, with controlling streak of independence. We later surmised
that a solo practice could be established with a reasonable financial
outlay. At the same time we thought of the dentists we knew and
appointments we remembered and had a positive image of ourselves
working in the same circumstance. The major drawback was that we were
going to be “working” in somebody's mouth.
Other influences might have come into play as well. Some had a father
or brother or other close relative in dentistry and their trials and
tribulations didn't detract from the good things that dentistry was
showing and the good examples these relatives provided. A stronger
influence might have been a job, part or full time, that was tedious,
dirty, boring, or influenced by some inept manager along the way. There
had to be a better way to “make a living” and dentistry, mainly because
it seemed to be self-controlling became a clear choice when compared to
vocations in the corporate world, law, medicine, teaching, or in small
business. A final influence seen by some in their choice of dentistry
was that it served others very personally in a positive way––it
provided a cause beyond oneself. This influence may have overridden all
others in the final analysis.
Why specialize in prosthodontics?
Wrong question––absolutely the wrong question! The search for answers
to the real question of what drives graduated dentists away from the
specialty of prosthodontics is a search that has been well discussed
and well researched, but the answers have always been to a negative
question––why isn't prosthodontics a desirable specialty?
There's always a companion question also––why endodontics; why
orthodontics; why oral surgery; and why not prosthodontics? The
American College of Prosthodontics (ACP) gave it a cursory try when
their president, Nancy Arbree, said “we need to learn ways to
communicate our skills as positively as we can to ensure our future.”
Of course we really can’t communicate “skills” and maybe the ultimate
goal is something other than ensuring our future. Anyway, as she said,
it’s about time the ACP “learned!”
In the past ten years the ProsStars Newsletter
is replete with positions stating the benefits of becoming specialized
in prosthodontics, positions which have always put the specialty in a
positive light. For review read again:
•Prosthodontics: A Specialty or Just Extra Training, Vol 2, No 3, July 1966
•Son of Prosthodontics: A Specialty of Just “Extra” Training, Vol 2, No 4, Oct 1996
•We Don’t Get No Respect, Vol 3, No 2, April 1967
•The Issues of Autumn. 1. The American College of Prosthodontics Wants to
Promote Prosthodontics, Vol 3, No 4, Oct 1997
•Advanced Education in Prosthodontics, Vol 4, No 1, Jan 1998
•Competition 101, Vol 4, No 2, April 1998
•The
Other End of the Spectrum and The Corporate Mission, Purpose, Aims,
Goals, Objectives, Vol 4, No. 3, July 1998
•We Have Met the Future, and It Is Us, Vol 4, No 4, Oct 1998
•A Letter to All Non-Boarded Trained Prosthodontists, Vol 5, No 1, Jan 1999
•Mentoring, Vol 5, No 3, July 1999
•Looking Ahead III, Vol 6, No 2, April 2000
•Graduate Program Recruitment, It’s Not the Problem, It’s the Process,
Vol 6, No 3 July 2000
•A Review and History of the ACP, Vol 6, No 4, Oct 2000
•Achievement, Meetings and Award Ceremonies, Vol 8, No 2, April 2002
•Does History Take Us Where We Are Going?, Vol 8, No 3, July 2002
•”Our” Specialty, Vol 9, No 4, Oct 2003
Now, look through and review any and all ACP Messengers and any and all articles and editorials in the Journal of Prosthodontics,
and you will see nothing confirming why the specialty of prosthodontics
is in any way different from general dentistry; why it is advantageous
to train in it; why it improves a dentist’s financial standing; why the
specialist can carry out treatments that the general dentist can’t; and
why every minute spent additionally training in prosthodontics improves
the feeling of self accomplishment immeasurably. The way to communicate
the advantages of specializing in prosthodontics is to communicate
them! In doing that, fill each article with specifics of what the
specialist can do that the generalist can’t. Define precisely in
undergraduate teaching what the generalist is expected to do, but also
what the generalist is expected to refer to the specialist. Teach what
the differences in skill levels and competencies are between the
generalist and the specialist and teach how one achieves those
differences. If speaking to a group of generalists emphasize why the
specialist must be involved in certain levels of treatment. If we are
“the chosen few with special skills” we had better say so at every
opportunity in writing and in every presentation made before
generalists and especially when appearing before other specialty
organizations. Let’s be frank––these opportunities just aren't being
met.
The best example of an unmet opportunity to identify the differences
between the trained prosthodontist and the generalist is clearly seen
in the recently published “Prosthodontic Specialty Definition”. The
official definition determined by the ACP is:
“Prosthodontics is the dental specialty pertaining to the diagnosis,
treatment planning, rehabilitation and maintenance of the oral
function, comfort, appearance and health of patients with clinical
conditions associated with missing or deficient teeth and/or
maxillofacial tissues using biocompatible substitutes.”
This definition, the result of over two years of work, does nothing to
denote a difference between a specialist and a generalist. Does a
definition of the specialty that shows no higher levels of skill or
competency make one decide to invest three more years of training to do
things that most dentists can do now? Let’s be clear about it:
specialists do different things for different reasons because of
different patient needs. A better definition is:
“The specialist in prosthodontics does not do the same treatments that the general dentist does.
For each dollar spent, the patient will receive a uniquely different
diagnosis, treatment plan and achievement of outcome. The results will
be an unnoticeable, pleasing natural appearance, a function that is
totally physiologic, and a measurable diminution of future breakdown,
unless caused by disease or gross patient neglect. Specialists in
prosthodontics have added these values for every dollar spent.
Specialists in prosthodontics can and will serve the needs of the
patient with missing oral tissues with singularly special techniques.
Additionally the specialist in prosthodontics will meet the needs of
patients with missing tissues that cannot be restored further by
surgery with skills and materials that have been developed through
research and training beyond that of a general dentist. No one else is
trained or has the skills to achieve the same results.
When the specialist in prosthodontics is not consulted or given the
opportunity to meet these special needs, the public at large suffers.”
Commitment
Is specialty training and specialty practice hard work? YES in capital
letters! But that shouldn't be a deterrent The rewards are well worth
it. Specialty practice is terribly challenging because of the problems
presented. The challenges are all different and all hold new interests.
The work is never boring. Can the same be said for endodontics or for
orthodontics? Prosthodontics is constructive, not destructive; and the
work enhances the patient’s body image and contributes to normal
function? Can the same be said for oral surgery? Prosthodontics will
provide a life stream income far above the general dentist’s and
comparable to that of other dental specialties. Are there means to
finance 3 years of training? Yes. It takes making the commitment to
enter the specialty; and like all things worthwhile in life, the price
paid, the loans gotten, the grants received will amply return
accomplishment and financial gain in the long run.
Passion
Finally,
a commitment without passion is no commitment at all! The passion we
want is a heartfelt, deep and authentic, excitement about life and
work. It is noticeable, catching, inspiring, and is a quality wanted
after it is seen. A passion for the specialty of prosthodontics sells
it. It can’t be faked. It can’t be taught and it can’t be learned. But
when you see it you know it spells out a dedicated care for others that
is far beyond that normally given or achieved: be they students, peers,
patients, those above and those below, family and/or organizations.
In the long run what we specialists have to know and show is a deep
commitment to work in and sell our specialty, prosthodontics; and work
in it and sell it with an infectious passion and enjoyment that shows
all of the great things about it. Things that those dentists and dental
students looking to specialize can’t avoid seeing and wanting and
having and getting, no matter what the cost! NDW
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Even though copyrighted, this essay is intended for copy and use in
recruitment with dental students, in advanced programs for guidance and
inspiration and in communications between prosthodontic organizations
and the other specialties in dentistry. Never let it be said that “we
have to learn ways” to sell our specialty. Our specialty sells itself!
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