Dentistry is a very personal and intimate profession. And while dentists have regular contact with strangers, they also have frequent interactions with friends and family. Dentists must balance these two roles in their everyday life, which can occasionally overlap. Some dentists choose to work on friends and family, while others do not for various reasons. Working on friends or family members comes with pros and cons. While it may ease the transition from a former career into dentistry; it may also complicate things if you’re new to the field. If you’re contemplating working on friends or family as a dentist, we want to help you make an informed decision about whether this is right for you. Keep reading to learn more about the benefits and drawbacks of doing so as a dentist!
Dentist Working on Friends and Family?
When dentists work on friends and family, they offer discounted or even pro-bono dental services to loved ones. Some dentists work on spouses, children, parents, and even close friends. Working on friends and family can include one-time treatments, ongoing care, or both. If you work on close friends or family members, it may feel like a continuation of your other life rather than a transition into a different profession.
You may feel more at ease, more confident, and more familiar with the procedures if you already have an established relationship with the patient. Dentist on friends or family members can ease the transition into dentistry if you’re still new to the field. It allows you to practice on people you know and are comfortable around. It can also ease the financial burden of dental treatment. If you offer reduced or even pro-bono services, you may be able to help loved ones who cannot otherwise afford dental treatment.
Advantages of Working on Friends or Family
Working with friends or family members can ease the transition into dentistry if you’re still new to the field. It allows you to practice on people you are familiar with and are comfortable with. It can also ease the financial burden of dental treatment if you offer reduced or even pro-bono services. If a dentist works on a close friend or family member, he or she may feel more at ease, confident, and familiar with the procedures.
You may also feel more connected to your patients if you already have an established relationship with them. Working on friends or family members can build trust and strengthen relationships in your personal life. You may feel more connected to your loved ones if you help them with their dental treatment. Working on friends or family members can also be an act of kindness. You can offer reduced or even pro-bono services to help loved ones who cannot otherwise afford dental treatment.
Disadvantages of working on Friends or Family
Working on close friends or family members may blur the line between your personal and professional life. It can also create complicated feelings if your loved ones are not happy with the dental treatment. You may feel more anxious if you are treating a close friend or family member because you want to do a good job. You may also be more sensitive to their needs and be more likely to over-treat them because you don’t want to hurt them.
Working on friends or family members can also complicate things if you ever want to leave your profession. If you try to work on loved ones, you risk a conflict of interest if you ever want to switch to a different profession. You may also feel greater pressure to excel if you know loved ones are watching your every move. Working on close friends or family members can also affect their health. Your loved ones may not be as diligent about oral hygiene and regular check-ups if you treat them for free or at a reduced price. This can lead to complications in the future because dental issues are often easy to treat if caught early.
Should Dentist work on Friends or Family?
If you’re new to the dental field, working on friends or family members may ease the transition into dentistry. It can allow you to practice on people you are comfortable with so that you are confident when you work with patients in general. And it can ease the financial burden of dental treatment if you offer reduced or even pro-bono services. Working on friends or family members can build trust and strengthen relationships in your personal life. It can also be an act of kindness if you can offer reduced or even pro-bono services to help loved ones who cannot otherwise afford dental treatment.
Working on close friends or family members may blur the line between your personal and professional life. It can also complicate things if you ever want to leave your profession. You may also affect your loved ones’ health if they are less diligent about oral hygiene and regular check-ups. Working on loved ones can be beneficial if you’re new to the dental field. However, it’s important to keep the lines between your personal and professional life clear so that you don’t complicate things in the future.
Final Words
If you’re new to the dental field, working on friends or family members may ease the transition into dentistry. It can also build trust in your personal life and be an act of kindness if you offer reduced or even pro-bono services. Working on close friends or family members can blur the line between your personal and professional life. It can also complicate things if you ever want to leave your profession. Working on friends or family members can ease the transition into dentistry if you’re still new to the field. It allows you to practice on people you are familiar with and are comfortable with. It can also ease the financial burden of dental treatment if you offer reduced or even pro-bono services.
