The Ideal Day in the Life of a Dentist (And How We Can All Have More of These Days by Addressing the Challenges We Face)

Every dentist dreams of a day when they can focus entirely on their patients–free from administrative burdens, financial stress and regulatory obstacles. The reality is that dentists today face significant challenges, from legislative issues and third-party dental benefit reimbursements to workforce shortages and student debt, all of which can make the ideal day harder to achieve. It doesn’t have to be that way.

As someone who has spent decades advocating for the profession, I believe that by identifying these challenges and taking intentional steps to overcome them, we can create more fulfilling and productive days for every dentist. Here’s how:

Legislative Issues: Protecting the Doctor-Patient Relationship

One of the biggest challenges dentists face is navigating changing regulations that can interfere with their ability to provide patient-centered care. Legislative decisions influence how we practice, from scope-of-practice laws to insurance regulations that limit treatment options. If we don’t advocate for ourselves, we risk losing control over how we serve our patients.

What We Can Do:

• Stay engaged with organized dentistry, whether through the ADA, state associations or local dental societies.
• Support advocacy efforts that fight for the autonomy of dental professionals.
• Contact legislators when key issues arise, ensuring that policy makers hear directly from those on the front lines of patient care.

Dentistry must remain a profession led by dentists, not dictated by insurance companies, policy makers or corporate interests.

Third-Party Dental Benefit Reimbursements and Dental Network Contracts: Ensuring Fair Pay for Quality Care

One of the biggest frustrations I hear my peers express is dealing with third-party payers. Low reimbursement rates, delayed payments and restrictive network contracts make it difficult for dentists to run their practices effectively. These issues also impact patient care, forcing dentists to spend more time on paperwork and appeals rather than focusing on treatment.

What We Can Do:

• Push for legislation that increases transparency in dental insurance reimbursements.
• Advocate for better contracts and reimbursement structures that allow dentists to focus on quality care rather than administrative headaches.
• Support initiatives that give dentists more flexibility to choose the best care path for their patients, free from insurance interference.If we want to create more ideal days in dentistry, we need to ensure that third-party payers work for us, not against us.

Workforce Staffing Shortage: Strengthening the Future of Dentistry

Many dentists, especially those running private practices, struggle with staffing shortages.Hygienists, assistants and front-office team members are the backbone of a successful practice, yet hiring and retaining them has become more challenging than ever. Without a strong support team, dentists are left juggling too many roles,leading to burnout and decreased efficiency.

What We Can Do:

• Support workforce development programs that bring more dental professionals into the field.
• Advocate for expanded training and incentives to attract and retain skilled dental team members.
• Encourage a workplace culture that prioritizes team engagement and growth, making dentistry a more desirable career path.

A well-supported team leads to a well-run practice–and ultimately, better care for patients.

Student Debt: Removing Barriers for the Next Generation of Dentists

One of the biggest burdens my new dentist friends face is student loan debt. The cost of dental education has skyrocketed, making it harder for graduates to start their careers, open practicesor choose the practice modality they prefer. If we don’t address this issue, we risk limiting access to care and discouraging future generations from entering the field.

What We Can Do:

• Advocate for student debt reform, including loan forgiveness programs for dentists working in underserved areas.
• Push for more accessible, lower-cost pathways to dental education.
• Support mentorship programs that help young dentists navigate financial planning and career development.

We need a system that allows new dentists to thrive, not one that burdens them before their careers even begin.

More Ideal Days, Together

On an ideal day in dentistry, we have the freedom to practice the way we want, support our teams and provide the best possible care to our patients. But to make that a reality, we must address the systemic challenges that stand in our way.

Stay involved in organized dentistry, advocate for our profession and work together to push for change. Together we can create more fulfilling and productive days. Not just for ourselves, but for every dentist in the generations to come.

I invite you to join me in strengthening our profession, protecting our doctor-patient relationships and ensuring that every dentist can build a career they love. Because at the end of the day, dentistry should be about one thing: caring for people.