You know those seasons of work
life when things seem to be flowing nicely—patients are steady, staff is happy
and compliant, you get a lunch hour, and you’re able to leave on time. Maybe you
even have time to read the paper or check your emails. (Man, does that sounds appetizing!)
Yea…that’s so not me right now.
We recently dove headfirst into
the world of CAD/CAM dentistry. It’s addicting and fun, but I have to say that it’s
so much more than I anticipated. I’m young and grew up on video games, so I can
only imagine what the learning curve looks like for the generation before me. It’s
not easy.
We did it not just for same-day
restorative options, but for the control and the cost savings. What I didn’t
have a grasp on was the added dimension of scanning and designing. It’s like
stopping in the middle of your schedule and putting on your lab tech hat. And
when the staff is learning the basics of the system, it’s really up to us as
the docs to show them the way (aka mucho doctor chair time).
I’m sure some of you have been or
are going into this same season, and it happens with the introduction of any
new procedure, system, or piece of technology. If every day was easy and low
stress, our jobs just wouldn’t be as fun as they are, right?!? Maybe it’s just
me, but I thrive on the constant movement and unpredictability of daily general
dentistry, and the overall thinking on my feet that we go through on an
hourly/daily/weekly basis. It’s truly why I chose the profession and haven’t
regretted it for a second.
Don’t get me wrong: The craziness
of the last few weeks has surely cleared out any arterial plaque I’ve built up
over the years (I really should get a FitBit to track this madness). It’s
definitely a mental and emotional strain. I literally do not need a morning
coffee anymore. And I’m sure my staff hates my guts with the outward portrayal
of stress that’s seeping out of my pores.
But it’s worth it. It’s worth it
for my patients, for my practice, and for me. Everyone needs a little spice in
his or her work life. This CAD/CAM thing is here to stay, and I’m excited to
get on board!
Donald Murry III, DMD
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