While people with a lot of knowledge when it comes to science can get into a good dental school, only a few people have what it takes to be an excellent dentist in practice. A reputable dentist needs to have the level of education, expertise, and knowledge to carry out various dental procedures.
They also need to develop different characteristics, skills, and qualities. That is because this industry is not like other professions in the field of science and medicine. While other medical experts and professionals are mostly MAs or Masters of Science, dental professionals should also have good social skills, a good artist, and a good business person.
After completing their internships and residencies, most dental experts start their own practice or start their own clinic or business. Besides having the knowledge and heart to care for their patients, they also need to have other important skills to attract, and retain clients, as well as run their own clinic. Here are some common qualities that great dentists need to make them stand out from their competition.
To find out more about the difference between Orthodontist and a dentist, click here for more details.
Manual dexterity
One of the most important qualities that these professionals need to have in order to become a successful dentist is manual dexterity. It is the ability to make good and precise movements with the patient’s mouth while maintaining coordination throughout the procedure. Our mouth is a small space to work in. That is why having good fine motor skills, as well as the ability to manipulate dental tools accurately in this small space using a steady hand, is a very important skill.
Good with details
When working at a small place like the mouth, dental experts cannot miss the smallest details. That is why a good dentist needs to have good attention to detail. And while these people should not miss important details that can make a huge difference between misalignment and proper alignment of the jaw, they also need to spot little details that can be indicators of dental problems and bodily ailments.
Excellent interpersonal skill can make a significant difference
Let us face it: a lot of people do not enjoy going to dentists. That is why it is the professional’s role to make their patients feel at ease and comfortable. To do this, they should have very strong people-person skills. Being social and personal with the patients, being kind, compassionate, and taking time to talk to them can provide dentists a successful career.
What are people skills? Check out https://www.forbes.com/sites/jacquelynsmith/2013/11/15/the-20-people-skills-you-need-to-succeed-at-work to find out more.
Dental technicians need to take the client’s complaints about pain pretty seriously, as well as empathize with them. And when presenting other options, they need to talk to the patients honestly and build relationships and trust. Good social skills are one of the most important things that make the patient’s clinic experience enjoyable.
The impression clinicians make during the client’s first call to schedule an appointment and when they first step foot in the clinic is what makes the patients think that the clinic is different from other clinics. And this will immediately build the trust between patients and dentists. It will also make them comfortable with the pro as they sit down in the chair for the procedure.
Having a desire to learn more about the craft
This industry is an evolving field. New techniques and technology are being introduced almost every day to make any procedure more effective, affordable, and comfortable. That is why, if clinicians have the desire to master and learn all the new techniques, science, and technologies in this industry, it instantly makes them stand out from its competition.
They need to be a master of the art
Clinicians like Michael E. Kanellis, DMD, are not only masters of their respective sciences, they also need to have excellent artistic abilities that will allow them to help restore their patient’s teeth and provide them with a beautiful smile that they can show off to others. While this industry mainly maintains correct oral health, the practice also focuses on the aesthetic aspect. This industry requires its clinicians to master techniques unique to this science or profession.
Excellent business skills are also required
Having excellent business skills can be very helpful for dental experts. Most of them start their own clinic after they completed their training and residencies. It means that they are in charge of doing the required things to properly run a business-like training worker, hiring, checking their expenses, handling legal matters, marketing their clinic, and attracting new patients. It will also require excellent business sense.