Shakespeare has said that ‘some are born great, others achieve greatness, and others have greatness thrust upon them.’  So what makes great dentists?  Most great dentists achieve greatness through a combination of innate compassion and extraordinary skill – skill that is learned through extensive study and practice.

Despite the media attempts to vilify dentists, most are truly compassionate people committing a great deal of time and money to charity, mission and community service.  The work itself is intimate.  You must get close to your patients.  You must work on their physical self.  It takes a measure of selflessness to spend all day invading and sharing personal space.  It takes understanding and a desire to serve.

But desire is not enough.  A measure of skill is required - skill bred of extraordinary hours and focus.  While dental school delivers the necessities of general practice, to deliver the plethora of precision techniques available to dentistry additional time and study is required.  Continuing education is part and parcel of the dentist’s armamentarium.

Great dentists are created, pushed by passion and a desire to serve.  They deliver dentistry only after carefully and continual study.