Redefining Risk in Dentistry: Why Your Fear of Failure Might Be Your Biggest Obstacle

In the ever-evolving landscape of dental practice, the concept of risk takes on many dimensions. From clinical decisions to practice ownership, from technological investments to work-life balance choices, dentists navigate risk daily. But what if our understanding of risk itself needs reframing? In a recent episode of The Authentic Dentist podcast, Dr. Allison House and Shawn Zajas explore this question, challenging conventional thinking about risk-taking in dental careers.

The Evolution of Risk Tolerance

Our relationship with risk isn't static—it evolves throughout our professional journey. As Dr. House reflects on her career path, she notes how her approach to risk has transformed: "I am willing to take more risks emotionally at 50 because I mean, I know that I can survive it. If I reach out to somebody and they say no, where my self-esteem was hit quite a bit more, even in my 40s."

This evolution doesn't necessarily mean becoming more conservative. Rather, it often means becoming more strategic about which risks are worth taking. For early-career dentists finding their authentic voice in dentistry, this might mean recognizing that:

1. Risk is contextual - What constitutes a "risky" decision depends on your life stage, financial situation, family circumstances, and personal values.

2. Risk priorities shift - Physical risks may become less appealing as we age (no more unicycle riding!), while emotional and professional risks may become more manageable.

3. Stability creates freedom - Having certain stable elements in your life can actually empower you to take calculated risks in others.

The Risk of Playing It Safe

Perhaps the most provocative insight from the conversation is Shawn's observation about the hidden risk in avoidance: "The idea that there isn't risk, it's just not true. Because let's say you live a very risk averse life... the risk that you actually are taking is the risk of not living, the risk of actually missing out on what you could gift the world with."

This perspective resonates deeply with dental professionals navigating ethical practice decisions, especially when considering:

• Staying in a practice environment that doesn't align with your values

• Avoiding procedures or specialties that genuinely interest you

• Postponing practice ownership out of fear rather than strategic planning

• Not implementing new technologies that could benefit your patients

Dr. House reinforces this with a poignant observation from her years of practice: "When they tell me their regrets, their regrets are always, I wish I would have tried. I wish I would have done this. They never tell me, I wish I didn't do this. It's always, I wish I would have."

Overcoming the Perfection Paralysis

For many dental professionals, the pursuit of perfection becomes an obstacle to growth and authentic leadership. The clinical excellence that dental school emphasizes can sometimes transform into a paralyzing standard that prevents taking necessary risks.

"The only way you can have a perfect crown prep is if it's on a model outside of somebody's mouth," Dr. House notes. "But if you have to fight with somebody's tongue in the very back of somebody's mouth, I mean, you're going to have to make some compromises."

This reality extends beyond clinical procedures to practice management, team leadership, and career decisions. Creating a sustainable dental practice model requires embracing the following truths:

1. Excellence, not perfection - Striving for excellence while accepting human limitations creates sustainable success.

2. Failure as education - Each setback provides valuable information for future decisions.

3. Iterative progress - Success comes through continual refinement, not a single perfect execution.

Practical Risk Assessment for Dental Professionals

How can dental practitioners cultivate a healthy relationship with risk? The conversation suggests several approaches:

1. Identify Your Risk Profile

Understanding your natural tendencies helps you make more intentional decisions. Ask yourself:

• In which areas am I naturally risk-averse?

• Where have I successfully taken risks in the past?

• What patterns emerge when I examine my comfort with uncertainty?

2. Calculate Strategic Risks

"Don't be dumb," Dr. House advises those considering practice ownership. "Spend a lot of time researching exactly what you want and how you want to work and find a lot of things about yourself. Hire good people around you."

Calculated risks involve:

• Thorough preparation and education

• Mentorship from those who've walked similar paths

• Financial planning that accounts for worst-case scenarios

• Building support systems to help weather challenges

3. Reframe Failure

The fear of failure often prevents dental professionals from creating remarkable careers. Changing your relationship with failure means:

• Viewing setbacks as data rather than personal indictments

• Recognizing that even industry giants like Amazon and Google experience significant failures

• Understanding that batting .300 (failing 70% of the time) makes you a star in baseball—and perhaps in dentistry too

4. Create Your Authentic Risk Strategy

Every dentist's approach to risk should reflect their authentic self. This might mean:

• Practice ownership for some, employment for others

• Academic research for some, clinical innovation for others

• Public speaking for some, one-on-one mentoring for others

The key is ensuring your choices align with your authentic dental practice core values rather than conforming to industry expectations.

Building a Practice Culture That Embraces Healthy Risk

For practice owners, creating a team culture that appropriately balances risk and safety requires intentional leadership. Consider how your practice approaches:

• Clinical innovation - How do you evaluate and implement new techniques?

• Team empowerment - Do staff members feel safe taking appropriate initiative?

• Patient education - How do you present treatment options with various risk profiles?

• Financial decisions - Does your approach to business investments reflect your values?

Entering the Cave

Perhaps the most memorable metaphor from the conversation comes when Dr. House references Joseph Campbell's hero's journey: "The cave you fear to enter holds the treasures that you seek... You have to take the risk because otherwise you never get the treasure. And the treasure's worth it."

For dentists seeking authentic practice and meaningful careers, this metaphor encapsulates the essential balance—recognizing that growth requires venturing into uncomfortable territory, but doing so with appropriate preparation and support.

As you consider the risks in your own dental journey, remember that authenticity itself may be the greatest treasure. Your unique approach to dentistry—reflecting your values, skills, and perspective—represents your authentic brilliance in a profession that needs diverse voices and approaches.

Conclusion: Your Authentic Risk Profile

Developing a healthy relationship with risk isn't about becoming reckless or overly cautious. Rather, it's about aligning your risk decisions with your authentic self—creating a sustainable dental practice model that honors your values while allowing you to make your unique contribution to the profession.

As you navigate the inevitable risks of dental practice, consider not just what you might lose by taking a chance, but what you might lose by not taking it. In the end, the risks that align with your authentic brilliance are often the very ones worth taking.

What risk have you been contemplating in your practice? What's holding you back? Share your thoughts in the comments below, and let's continue this important conversation.

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