What happens when 22 dental professionals get out of the clinic to consider the direction they want their career to take? Poppy Dunton shares her experience.
On 28 June, 22 dental therapists and hygienists walked into a room that wasn’t set up like a classroom – it was designed to feel like a reset. This idea started months ago in my notes app. I wanted to create something real. A space for people to stop, take a breath, and think about what their career in dentistry actually looks and feels like and how to build it in a way that doesn’t lead to burnout. Something that sadly changed my career.
From the moment the doors opened, the energy was different. People were open, curious, and a little unsure what the day would bring. Each delegate received a self-care kit with handmade candles and small wellness gifts – a gentle reminder that their wellbeing matters just as much as their clinical skills.
Knowledge creates power
We asked the kind of questions that don’t usually come up in between patients:
- What do I want next?
- Where do I feel stuck?
- What am I really worth, in time, energy, income?
- What have I been carrying that no one else sees?
- How can I work smarter, not just harder?
We looked at the real costs behind a dental business – income, outgoings, failures to attend, confidence. I also taught what a practice actually needs to earn per room just to make a profit. That moment hit hard for many. It was the first time they’d seen the financials broken down that clearly, and it shifted everything. The room went quiet… and then the questions started.
That kind of knowledge creates power. It gave people the language and confidence to finally advocate for their worth and reshape how they approach their role in the business.
Judgement-free discussions
We then moved into mapping out their own services and income ideas. Not as a theory – in practice. We looked at ethical selling, treatment offers, and boundaries. No performance. No pressure. Just space to speak honestly and rethink how things could be.
Some were brand-new graduates. Others had been in practice for years. There were NHS clinicians, private, and hybrid. And yet the themes were shared: everyone wanted clarity, confidence but overall sustainability in a career they trained for years to get. For many, it was the first time in a while they felt truly heard.
We also talked about the parts no one really brings up – the isolation, the frustration, the hamster-wheel feeling that comes with 30-minute appointment after 30-minute appointment. And we did it together, without judgment! The atmosphere was something I’ll never forget. And the ripple effect started straight away.
How did the day help dental professionals in their career?
In the weeks that followed, I spoke with delegates on follow up discovery calls. Some had redesigned their perio pathways, others were speaking more confidently with patients. A few had already started building new services they never thought they could offer. The feedback has been some of the most honest and affirming I’ve ever received:
- ‘It’s so nice to have someone just to vent to’
- ‘I feel like I’ve got a voice again’
- ‘For the first time, I understand what I bring to the business and how to make it work for me’
- ‘I’ve made changes already. I actually feel excited about my role again.’
This was the confirmation of something bigger. The Advanced Diploma in Dental Health and Business Strategy is now live. It’s been quietly building for a year, and now it’s here for those who want more. More clinical confidence, more business understanding, more direction, less burnout.
This isn’t just a course. It’s a shift. And that shift started with 22 brilliant people, a few candles, and a lot of honesty. If you’re feeling like something needs to change in your own career, follow that feeling. I’ve included subjects that we haven’t ventured into yet: how does AI change our futures? Can we help with sleep apnoea from a young age? How does menopause affect my patients?
We’re only just getting started.
Read more from The Kana Way:
- Progressing while avoiding burnout – the skills no one taught us
- The Kana Dental Academy: upping skills in aesthetic and restorative dentistry
- The Kana Cup: turning positivity into profit (and lots of fun)
- Why relationships with suppliers matter more than ever
- Squat versus existing – which road is right for you?
For more information, visit www.kanahealthgroup.com or www.kanadentalacademy.com.
This article is sponsored by Kana Health Group.
