Do Dentists Have a Good Work-Life Balance?

As a practicing dentist, you have a lot of responsibility, and it can be difficult at times to step away from the practice and enjoy time for yourself. Here, we’ll explore some approaches you can take to alleviate your workload and help you find work-life balance. 

The Importance of Work-Life Balance for Dentists

Do dentists have a good work-life balance?

Most people outside the industry would say that dentists have the freedom to do most of the things they want outside of work; they spend time with their families, may take long lunches, and enjoy regular vacations away from the office. 

We know that isn’t completely accurate. While you may have the authority to make those decisions, it’s hard to do so as a practicing dentist. From long work hours to complex caseloads, you juggle a lot. Patients, continuing  education, dental school debt, family obligations , and more keep your hands and brain busy. If you own your practice, that adds even more tasks to your workload. 

As a result, many dentists and practice owners feel forced to prioritize work over their home lives. The result is burnout, unhappiness, conflict with loved ones, and more. 

According to an ADA wellness survey, “Younger dentists continue to be disproportionately affected by mental and emotional health concerns.” With “higher levels of stress at work,” dentists can face anxiety and depression.

Work-life balance is one way to combat work stressors, but how can you reach your optimal balance to avoid burnout? 

Steps for Achieving Dentist Work-Life Balance

Set Fixed Working Hours

Ask yourself two questions. Do you have a daily work schedule that includes a set time to end your day and at least one break for lunch? More importantly, do you follow that schedule?

While emergencies and unexpected events could make a set work schedule challenging, it’s important to protect your time away from the practice during lunch and in the evenings. Unfortunately, even if you follow your schedule most of the time, you probably find it difficult to mentally step away from your work.

Consistent thoughts about work outside of business hours can increase stress, distract you from nurturing personal relationships, and keep you from reaching professional and personal goals.

What is the secret to setting — and keeping — fixed work hours? Here are a few tips:

Redefine success. Consider expanding your definition of success beyond professional achievements, to include personal fulfillment, relationships, and well-being.

Set clear boundaries. You may have obligations after work or on weekends, especially if you run a practice with extended weekday or weekend hours, but there are also times when you wonder if you’re really needed. Refuse to be drawn into unscheduled after-hours situations that are not emergencies, and protect your out-of-office time.

Cultivate interests outside of work. Determination has gotten you where you are, but that single-minded focus can keep you at the practice long after work hours. Evening and weekend hobbies can encourage you to prioritize time for your personal life.

Make the Most of Your Time Off

Even if you are quite intentional with your practice responsibilities, do you approach your time off with that same intention?

When it comes to your time outside of work, make conscious, deliberate choices about how you spend your time and energy. Plan for life activities, such as spending quality time with family and friends and participating in or watching your favorite sport. Make sure you also include set times when you simply don’t have plans and use that time to relax.

Delegate Where Possible

You probably could do everything, but why would you want to? Complete those tasks that only you can do,  and delegate the rest to members of your team. You’ll see higher productivity and much more.

Of course, delegation is easier said than done. Hiring the right people with the skills they need for today and the ability to learn new skills for the future will create an environment where you can delegate.

Training a quality team to take over tasks that you shouldn’t spend your time on is just part of the battle. You’ll need employee retention strategies and may need to hire additional staff members to assist with patients, office tasks, or maintenance.

With the right team to support you, both in and outside of your practice, you can relieve yourself of some of the stress of dentistry and build a healthy relationship with your career.

Build a Dental Office Environment That Supports Work-Life Balance

There are different causes of stress in dentistry that affect you and your team, and you should consider the outcomes of that stress.

While you work toward your own optimal balance, remember that a team with a healthy work-life balance is more likely to stay with your practice, deliver excellent patient experience, and provide the support you need to meet your goals.

For the dental success you crave, learn how to manage people in your practice and build a positive office culture. You’ll soon discover that you and your team can consistently follow set work hours, make the most of your time off, and rely on each other so all of you can have a great work-life balance.

Download our People Management Guide today for valuable knowledge and tips to take your practice and team to the next level.