Robbie Stewart explains how perfectionism is holding back talented clinicians and highlights the importance of confidence for both dental professionals and the patients they treat.
A conversation I had recently with a fellow clinician has stayed with me. We were reviewing composite bonding completed at another practice. The clinician was dismissive – critical of its quality and quick to suggest it needed replacing.
My perspective was different. The work was not flawless, but it was functional, the patient had accepted it, and it appeared appropriate for that clinician’s stage of development. When I raised this, the response was: ‘If I couldn’t do it to the standard I wanted, I simply wouldn’t do it.’
That statement got me thinking. Because I believe that mindset – however well-intentioned – is doing real harm to our profession.
Perfectionism as a barrier, not a standard
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