When you start off as a dentist, you feel thrilled. And you want to do as much as you can and see as many patients as you can. You give yourself entirely to the job because you want to learn and grow.
What happens is that, over time, though, this strength becomes a weakness. And at a certain point in our career as dentists something has to change if we want to avoid burnout.
This is our starting point for our conversation.
Some notes from the episode:
- Burnout occurs when the demands you face on the job outstrip the resources you have to meet them.
- Certain types of demands in dentistry are much more likely to lead dentists to the point of exhaustion:
1- Especially heavy workload.
2- Intense pressure.
3- Role conflict, which occurs when the expectations of one role that’s important to you conflict with those of another: This might happen, for example, when the demands of your job make it impossible to spend adequate time with your loved ones, or when the way you’re expected to act at work clashes with what you believe in.
- Analyze your current situation. Perhaps you already understand what’s burning you out.  If not, try this: track how you spend your time for a week (you can either do this on paper, in a spreadsheet, or in one of the many apps now available for time tracking).   
- Take the opportunity to reassess. Some things about your job are in your capacity to change; others are not.   
- Good time management is key in dentistry. To  achieve a realistic time management you need solid boundaries.  
- We all have a limited amount of time and energy to give. By not setting healthy boundaries, we avoid speaking our truth. Boundaries are the limits you set for yourself that determine what you participate in and when to remove yourself. They dictate YOUR choices.  
- Saying no is an important boundary because it gives you control of your time and energy. But it does not mean it will be easy. It's important to remember that saying no isn’t selfish or inconsiderate to your patients. It's actually the other way around.
- Setting boundaries and saying no may feel uncomfortable at first but with time these boundaries can become the new normal. Always start small to gain confidence. The most surprising lesson about saying no is that most people will accept it.
- Analyzing your current situation includes bringing awareness to your financial situation.
- Many resources are vital for our performance and well-being, from personal qualities like skills, emotional stability, and good health, to supportive relationships with colleagues, autonomy and control at work, constructive feedback, having a say in matters that affect us, and feeling that our work makes a difference.
- Prioritize taking care of yourself to replenish personal resources: good sleep habits, nutrition, exercise, connection with people you enjoy, and practices that promote calmness and well-being, like meditation, journaling, talk therapy, or simply quiet time alone doing an activity you enjoy. 
One final note about burnout: If you think you might be experiencing burnout, don’t ignore it and reach out for help; it won’t go away by itself.   
We would love to hear your thoughts on this. Leave a comment, connect with us in social media or email us directly: [email protected]
Your comments and messages will help us to know you and our profession a little better, so that we can offer real value in return. And, if you like it, please subscribe! 
 All the best,
Manuela and Jorge André
Take a look at our Conscious Leadership Course here: https://softbites.online/
Follow us on Instagram @mindful.dentistry & @andredolf.

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