As a dentist, you probably find yourself juggling between patient care, accounting, marketing, recruiting and so on. All of these stressors can take a toll on your personal life, significantly limiting the amount of free time doing things you love.
Though finding a work-life balance as a dentist is difficult, it significantly impacts overall happiness, so the importance of finding this balance cannot be overstated.
Set hard hours
One of the best things you can do for yourself is set your work hours in advance. Tell your staff that you will be at the office from set hours (i.e., 9 AM to 4 PM) and have them plan appointments accordingly. By setting your availability in advance, your entire office will work with you on ensuring that you stick to schedule.
Of course, there will be instances in which you must go outside of this schedule (for example, dental emergencies), but having the relatively steady schedule will give you more leeway for these situations.
Make the most efficient use of your time
When you are in “on” mode, make sure that you are making the best use of this time. If you are going to limit the time spent at the office, it is all the more important to get work done during those hours. Give your patients your undivided attention and make your way through your to-dos by staying alert and efficient. Avoid procrastination at all costs.
Navigate your “off duty” time
Time off of work becomes much more valuable when you are a busy clinician, which is why it’s important to prioritize when it comes to your personal life. Decide what takes precedent and make time for that.
It’s also important to set aside time for relaxing. Treat yourself to a day at the spa, a walk to the park with your children or a nice dinner out with your spouse. Always be looking for ways to unwind.
Find dental office support
Your responsibilities as a dentist will mount up. If you are having a difficult time managing these responsibilities and maintaining healthy relationships with your loved ones, it may be time to reassess your situation.
If patient care is your true passion, you have the option to leave the rest to Heartland Dental. Affiliating with Heartland Dental will allow you to focus on your valued patients while thriving both professionally and personally. Listen to our testimonials to hear what other dentists have to say about Heartland Dental’s support and request an office assessment to begin your transition.