Robbie Stewart questions why imposter syndrome is rife in dental therapy and how professionals and practices can work to overcome it.
As a child, I spent hours building with Lego. I loved the focus it demanded, the satisfaction of following instructions, and the creativity of rebuilding when things went wrong. Cars crashed, planes collided, and I rebuilt them again and again. Looking back, it taught me something powerful early on: progress isn’t about perfection, it’s about persistence. That mindset has never left me.
I grew up in a hands-on household. My dad was an electrician, my mum a barber: both highly skilled, practical professionals who worked with precision and pride. Without realising it at the time, I was learning that working with your hands, thinking critically, and solving problems matters.
‘I didn’t aspire to be “almost a dentist”, I chose to become an excellent dental therapist’
At school, like many people I assumed working as a dentist was the pinnacle of clinical dentistry because I didn’t yet know what else existed. That changed the moment I discovered dental therapy. I remember feeling genuinely energised, not because it was a shortcut or a compromise, but because it aligned with how I wanted to work: clinically focused, patient-centred, and impactful.
I didn’t aspire to be ‘almost a dentist’, I chose to become an excellent dental therapist.
Imposter syndrome is everywhere
Fast forward to 2025, I was honoured to be named Dental Therapist of the Year. I don’t see that award as a personal accolade alone, I see it as proof of what is possible when therapists step into their full scope, back themselves, and stop playing small. There is extraordinary talent in our profession, and too many capable clinicians are held back by self-doubt rather than ability.
Imposter syndrome is everywhere in healthcare – especially among therapists. My message is simple: confidence isn’t arrogance, and ambition isn’t something to apologise for.
When I moved to London, I made a conscious decision to transform my role from predominantly hygiene to fully utilised therapy. Not for ego. Not for money. But because growth matters – for clinicians, for practices, and most importantly for patients.
Don’t dim your light
The reality is this: many practices are under-optimised. Highly trained therapists are often underused, while dentists’ diaries are filled with routine care that could be delegated. When therapists are empowered to work to their full scope, practices become more efficient, teams function better, and patients receive higher-value care.
I was fortunate to start working with a practice owner who shared that vision. Within four months, we saw a fundamental shift, a more logical clinical workflow, improved patient outcomes, and a stronger, more fulfilled team. Just like Lego, it took trial, feedback, and rebuilding, but the results spoke for themselves.
‘Ditch imposter syndrome. Believe in your value. The world really is your oyster’
Patient communication is at the heart of everything I do. Oral health education only works when it’s clear, relatable, and practical. I am transparent with patients about the tools I use myself. When patients know my recommendations are grounded in personal and clinical experience, trust increases and so do engagement and long-term outcomes. I explain why my use of the Sonicare toothbrush works for me, and by making it relatable to my own life and oral health, it resonates.
If there’s one message I want therapists to take away, it’s this: you don’t need permission to be ambitious. You don’t need to wait to be ‘ready’. And you certainly don’t need to dim your light. Ditch imposter syndrome. Believe in your value. The world really is your oyster.
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