Sarah McKimm considers a case of imposter syndrome and how newly-qualified dental professionals can reframe their anxieties into positivity.
The scenario
I am a recent dental graduate and am six months into my first job as a foundation dentist. I was really excited to start but it’s proving really difficult, and I am constantly questioning whether I’m even good enough to be here. I worry that my patients and colleagues see through me and realise that I’m not as competent as I should be.
What makes it worse is seeing my old classmates posting about their successes within the profession on social media, with some even working with big industry names. I can’t help but compare myself. They look so confident, like they’ve got everything figured out, while I’m just trying to get through the day without making mistakes.
Logically, I know I can do it but I’m at the point where I’m not even sure I should stay working in dentistry.
Sarah’s reply
Hello reader,
I can hear just how isolated and tough this feels for you and it’s brave of you to reach out and own these real fears. Let us gently explore this together.
You’ve worked so hard to get here, yet instead of feeling confident and accomplished, you find yourself doubting your abilities and whether you even belong in the dental profession. You question if your patients and colleagues can see through you, if you’re competent enough, if you should even stay in dentistry at all.
Logically, you know you are capable. You graduated, passed your exams, and earned your place in this profession. But emotionally, you struggle to believe it. The truth is you are not alone in feeling this way. Many new dentists and dental care professionals experience these same fears and doubts, but we don’t talk about them enough.
Imposter syndrome is common, especially in high-achieving professions like dentistry. It whispers that you’re not good enough, that you don’t measure up, that any success you have is just luck. But where does that voice come from? Have you felt this way before, in other areas of your life? If so, how did you work through it? Let us be curious about these feelings together.
Find a safe space
I remember my first weeks in dental training vividly – the sheer panic of being asked for a matrix band and having absolutely no clue what it was. I felt stupid, out of my depth, and convinced I’d never get the hang of it. I watched others who had been in the profession for years, working with confidence and ease, while I struggled to navigate the intricate and complex language of dentistry. Everything in me wanted to walk away, to quit before I embarrassed myself further.
But then, I found my safe space. A dentist who was patient, kind, and gave me permission not to be perfect. That reassurance – that it was okay to learn, to make mistakes, and to take time – was invaluable. It allowed me to shift my focus from what I didn’t know to what I was capable of learning. And that mindset changed everything.
Many of us have internalised external expectations – those ‘shoulds’ that tell us we ought to have everything figured out by now. But whose voice is setting that standard? Social media amplifies this pressure, showing only the highlight reels of others’ successes while concealing their struggles. You scroll through your feed and see your former classmates celebrating their achievements, working alongside industry leaders, and projecting an image of unwavering confidence.
What is Chairside Chats?
Sarah McKimm is a qualified counsellor with more than 20 years of experience in the dental profession. She is here to offer a space where dental professionals can explore the human side of dentistry together, looking at what’s behind the mask through a unique perspective.
Each month, she will take a question from one of you and explore it with care, compassion, and insight. Drawing on her dual background as a counsellor and experience as a dental professional, she aims to provide empathic, non-judgmental responses tailored to the struggles faced in this field.
While she can’t offer counselling here (or replace professional support where it’s needed), she hopes to share some practical tips, professional insights and coping strategies.
Negative thoughts
Meanwhile, you feel like you’re just trying to get through the day without making mistakes. The comparisons are inevitable, but they only serve to fuel your imposter syndrome. It’s easy to compare yourself to their polished moments rather than meeting yourself where you are, in your own journey.
It makes sense that you’re feeling overwhelmed. The transition from dental school to practice is overwhelming. In university, you were supported, guided, and given the luxury of time to refine your skills on phantom heads with no real risk. It was a safe and controlled space. You’ve moved from the structured environment of dental school into a fast-paced profession where every decision carries real weight, every procedure is on a real patient and every mistake can feel monumental.
That shift can activate a survival response – fight, flight, freeze or fawn – leaving you feeling exhausted, on edge, or even tempted to walk away entirely. Instead of pushing through on sheer willpower, ask yourself with gentle curiosity not judgement: What’s going on for me here? What small acts of self-care help me feel grounded outside of dentistry? Because while this is your profession, it is not your entire identity.
Imposter syndrome thrives on negative thoughts that feel true, but they are just perceptions, not facts. Using a cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) technique called thought challenging, you can break the cycle of self-doubt and reframe your thinking.
Step 1: identify the negative thought
When imposter syndrome kicks in, pay attention to the thought running through your mind. Common ones might be:
‘I’m not good enough to be doing this.’
‘Everyone else knows what they’re doing except me.’
‘What if my patients or colleagues find out I’m not as competent as they think?’
Step 2: gather evidence for and against
Ask yourself:
- What evidence do I have that this thought is 100% true?
- Have I passed my training and gained qualifications?
- Have I successfully treated patients?
- Have colleagues or mentors given me positive feedback?
Now, ask: What evidence do I have that this thought is NOT true?
- I wouldn’t be in this role if I weren’t qualified
- Everyone has moments of doubt, even experienced dentists
- Learning is a lifelong process – mistakes and growth are normal.
Step 3: reframe the thought
Instead of: ‘I’m not good enough.’
Try: ‘I am skilled, qualified, and constantly improving. Perfection is not the goal – safe, compassionate care is.’
Instead of: ‘I don’t know as much as my colleagues.’
Try: ‘I bring fresh knowledge and perspectives that benefit both my patients and team.’
Step 4: take action
When self-doubt creeps in, do something that reinforces your competence. You could reflect on positive feedback from patients or colleagues, remind yourself of a difficult case you managed well or talk this through with a trusted mentor or supportive colleague. If you struggle with a specific treatment or procedure, consider shadowing an experienced colleague or extending appointment times to reduce stress. Regaining control can make challenging situations more manageable.
Just because your brain tells you something doesn’t make it true. Challenge imposter syndrome by looking at the facts, reframing your thinking, and reminding yourself that you deserve to be here.
To those just starting out – whether you’re a newly qualified dentist, a trainee nurse, or transitioning into a new role – please know that your worth is not measured by how much you know right now. You bring fresh knowledge, current ideas, and innovative thinking that help shape modern practice. Your perspective is valuable, not only to your patients but to the entire dental team around you.
Reframe the doubt. Instead of focusing on what you don’t know yet, look at what you do bring. Your journey isn’t about perfection – it’s about progress. And trust me, one day, you’ll look back and realise just how far you’ve come.
Right now, it’s tough – and that’s okay. No one starts out with it all figured out. You will get there. In your own time, at your own pace. And for now, you are enough, just as you are.
Take gentle care,
Sarah
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