After the tragic passing of the selflessly devoted Queen, the Secret Dentist calls on all dental professionals to reflect on their own contribution to dentistry and the example being set in the profession.
Whether you are a monarchist or republican, I believe that the death of the Queen could be a good time for everybody in the country, and within our profession, to reflect on their personal contribution to life.
In my opinion, throughout her life, the Queen demonstrated unselfish service to the country above and beyond anybody else.
She has done her duty unfailingly on a day-to-day basis for her entire reign whilst also carrying out family duties to the best of her ability.
Some may balk at the privilege she has been given. But I am not sure any mere moral, like you are I, would do what she has done right up until two days before her death.
Money well spent
I would say that it has been money well spent on the monarchy. The Queen brought pleasure to everyone who came across her.
She has given stability and wisdom to the so-called leaders of our parliament and she has toured the world promoting UK plc.
In addition, she hardly took a day off and, even when on holiday (nearly always in the UK), she was available to carry out duties.
As we have been hearing since her death, she was a constant, positive beacon of hope and happiness throughout her life.
Compare her and her lifestyle to that of many of the celebrities, politicians, million/billionaires and the generally well off in society, and you can start to understand what ‘service’ means.
Doing the right thing, the right way, every time. Not what suits the individual at the time.
Personal reflection
So perhaps we should all take this momentous, once-in-a-lifetime event to reflect on ourselves. Our work, our life, our family and our values.
Healthcare is a unique business and dentistry is unique within healthcare.
It should be about looking after our patients and earning a decent and honest living doing so.
We should be setting an example to all around us, family/staff/patients, that it isn’t about the money. It isn’t about personal celebrity status or blowing our own trumpet.
It is about being a healthcare professional.
Sometimes, I start to think the profession is losing, or indeed may have lost, its moral compass. Possibly easy to do given the chaos and bad examples which are encountered every day.
So, at this momentous time, at this once in a lifetime event, let us all use the example of the Queen’s life to reflect on our own.
Vow to try to lead by example and to make the future better and brighter for all around us.
If we all do the same, we can overcome all those who can’t/won’t change.
Catch previous columns from the Secret Dentist:
- NHS dental contract changes
- A bright future
- Time to get off the NHS dentistry fence
- A different world
- Booming (private) general dental practice.
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