In elite athletics, peak performance is often less about sheer talent and more about the ability to recover, reset, and sustain energy over the long haul. Dentistry, a profession that demands both technical precision and emotional resilience, is no different. Yet, too often, the industry has ignored the very real demands placed on providers, leading to burnout, high attrition rates, and a struggle to attract and retain talent.
In a recent conversation with Dr. Erinne Kennedy, Assistant Dean for Curriculum and Integrated Learning at Kansas City University College of Dental Medicine, we explored how dentists can apply lessons from high-performance athletes to sustain a long and fulfilling career. The takeaway? Recovery and resilience aren’t luxuries—they are necessary for success.
The Burnout Equation: Why Dentists Are Running Sprints Without Rest
Dr. Kennedy likens the traditional dental work schedule to a poorly designed training program for an elite sprinter. Imagine running a series of 100-meter dashes. In scenario A, you get adequate recovery time between sprints and a longer break every few sets. Over time, you get stronger. In scenario B, you run these sprints back-to-back, with little time to rest. Eventually, you break down. In scenario C, you run those same sprints while dragging a parachute behind you—a metaphor for administrative resistance, insurance barriers, and inefficient systems that bog down providers.
Most dental professionals are stuck in scenario B or C. The long hours, administrative burdens, and pressure to perform at a high level without adequate recovery time create a perfect storm for burnout. But there is another way.
The Future of Work in Dentistry: Designing for Resilience
The key to preventing burnout isn’t just reducing workload—it’s optimizing recovery and control. Some healthcare organizations are rethinking work schedules, implementing four-day workweeks or three-day, 12-hour shifts. In one Pennsylvania hospital system, employees overwhelmingly preferred 12-hour shifts, giving them concentrated work periods followed by longer breaks. Dentistry can adopt similar models, creating schedules that align with how providers actually recover and perform at their best.
Time away from the office isn’t just a perk—it’s a strategic necessity. Without built-in recovery, dentists become less effective, more error-prone, and less engaged in their work. A practice that optimizes for sustainability, rather than just productivity, will be the one that ultimately attracts and retains top talent.
Small Wins: Introducing “Resilience Confetti” Into the Workday
High-performance individuals don’t just schedule rest—they integrate it into their daily routines. Dr. Kennedy introduced the concept of “resilience confetti,” small moments of joy and disengagement throughout the day. Whether it’s a five-minute walk, a great cup of coffee, or a quick break with colleagues, these micro-recoveries build long-term resilience.
In a dental school setting, students are encouraged to embrace resilience confetti through playful engagement—golf balls flying across break rooms, Frisbees in hallways, and roller skates in lounges. It’s an active reminder that recovery isn’t passive; it’s a necessary part of performance.
The Role of Preventive Dentistry and Technology in Redefining the Profession
Beyond provider wellness, Dr. Kennedy envisions a future where dentistry shifts from reactive to proactive care, where prevention and technology redefine how clinicians approach patient health. The exponential growth in salivary diagnostics and microbiome management suggests that we are on the cusp of a new era in dentistry—one where biomaterials, peptides, and nanotechnology allow for non-invasive treatment and long-term prevention. Just as telemedicine has transformed primary care, digital health tools will play a crucial role in democratizing access to dental expertise and improving patient outcomes.
The Challenge to Today’s Leaders
If dental schools are now preparing students with resilience training, wellness programs, and a stronger focus on holistic career sustainability, what are private practices doing to adapt? The next generation of dentists won’t accept burnout as a cost of career growth. Forward-thinking leaders must take this shift seriously. That means rethinking scheduling, integrating recovery time, and ensuring that practice culture supports—not drains—its team members. It also means embracing new technology and treatment paradigms that reduce administrative burdens and enhance efficiency.
The best leaders in dentistry will be those who recognize that resilience isn’t a passive trait—it’s something you build, brick by brick, system by system. And those who get it right won’t just create better workplaces; they’ll build resilient practices of the future.
Want to learn more about the future of dentistry and how to combat burnout? Listen to my conversation with Dr. Erinne Kennedy on The Burleson Box podcast here.
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