Building an Inclusive Workplace Culture in Dental Practices

Creating an inclusive workplace culture is not just a moral imperative; it’s a business necessity to unlock your team’s potential. As dental practices evolve, the need for environments where all team members feel valued and supported becomes increasingly important. An inclusive culture fosters innovation, collaboration, retention, and overall satisfaction, both for the team and the patients they serve.

Steps to Building an Inclusive Culture

Commit to Ongoing Education

The first step towards inclusivity is education. Ensure that your team is well-informed about the different aspects of diversity, equity, and inclusion & belonging (DEIB). This involves regular training sessions, workshops, and open discussions about biases, cultural proficiencies, and the impact of diversity on patient care.

Foster Open Communication

Encourage an environment where open communication is the norm. This means creating safe spaces where team members can express concerns, share experiences, and suggest improvements without fear of retaliation. Regular check-ins and anonymous feedback channels can be effective tools in achieving this.

Lead by Example

Leadership plays a pivotal role in shaping workplace culture. As a leader, it’s crucial to model inclusive behavior in your day-to-day interactions. This could involve actively seeking diverse perspectives, demonstrating empathy, and addressing any non-inclusive behavior swiftly and fairly.

Revise Hiring Practices

Examine your hiring practices to ensure they are free from bias. This includes revising job descriptions, conducting blind resume reviews, and ensuring diverse representation in interview panels. A diverse team brings a wealth of perspectives that can significantly enhance your practice’s ability to serve a broad patient base.

Celebrate Diversity

Recognize and celebrate the diverse backgrounds of your team. This could be through cultural awareness days, celebrating various cultural holidays, or simply acknowledging the unique contributions of each team member. When diversity is celebrated, it becomes a strength that drives the entire practice forward.

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Resolutions and Takeaways

Creating an inclusive workplace culture is an ongoing journey, not a one-time effort. It requires continuous commitment and a willingness to learn and adapt. The key takeaway here is that inclusion benefits everyone—it leads to a more engaged and productive team, and ultimately, a more successful practice.

Reflection

Take a moment to reflect on your current workplace culture. Are there areas where inclusivity could be improved? How does your team currently approach diversity? Write down three specific actions you can take this month to foster a more inclusive environment in your practice.

Moving Forward

This is the first time I’m sharing my insights and knowledge on creating inclusive workplace cultures in dental practices, and I’m excited to continue this journey with you. 

I’m now offering exclusive team training sessions for dental organizations and companies aimed at fostering inclusivity and belongingness. These trainings are designed to provide practical tools and strategies to create a more inclusive environment, benefiting both your team and your patients.

Let’s keep the conversation going—follow me on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn for the latest updates and strategies to enhance your dental practice. I am passionate about helping you create an environment where everyone thrives. If you’re interested in working together or have any questions, feel free to message me directly. I’m excited to see how we can collaborate!

Nurture Your Calling: Self-Love and Purpose

Self-love often misconstrued as mere self-indulgence, is, in fact, the cornerstone upon which our ability to fulfill our calling rests. It encompasses a deep sense of appreciation and acceptance of oneself—flaws, and all. When we embrace self-love, we acknowledge our worthiness, recognizing that we are deserving of care, compassion, and fulfillment.

As individuals driven by purpose, nurturing self-love is not a luxury but a necessity. Our calling demands much from us — physically, mentally, and emotionally. Without a solid foundation of self-love, we risk burnout, disillusionment, and a sense of disconnect from the very purpose that once ignited our passion. It manifests in various forms, but at its core lies self-care. It’s about prioritizing our well-being, not as an afterthought but as a deliberate act of honoring ourselves. For me, as a pediatric dentist committed to providing the highest standard of care to my young patients, self-care takes on myriad forms.

It begins with the basics — ensuring I get an adequate amount of rest, nourishing my body with wholesome foods, and engaging in regular physical activity. These seemingly simple acts lay the groundwork for a resilient mind and body, essential for navigating the challenges inherent in my profession. However, self-care extends far beyond the physical realm. It encompasses nurturing our emotional and spiritual well-being as well. For me, this entails carving out moments of stillness amidst the chaos of my schedule, whether through meditation, journaling, or simply immersing myself in nature.

Moreover, self-care involves setting boundaries and learning to say no when necessary. As someone deeply passionate about my work, it’s all too easy to fall into the trap of overcommitment, spreading myself thin in the process. Yet, I’ve come to realize that by honoring my limitations and prioritizing self-care, I’m better equipped to serve both my patients and myself. To learn more ways to say “No”, check out my January blog.

In essence, self-love is the fuel that powers our journey toward fulfilling our calling. It instills within us the resilience to weather life’s storms, the courage to pursue our dreams unabashedly, and the compassion to extend grace to ourselves and others along the way.

But how does self-love translate into fulfilling our purpose? The answer lies in the symbiotic relationship between the two. When we cultivate self-love, we inherently align ourselves with our deepest desires and aspirations. We become attuned to the whispers of our soul, guiding us toward paths that resonate with our truest selves.

In the context of my journey as a pediatric dentist, self-love has been instrumental in shaping my approach to patient care. It’s about more than just clinical proficiency — it’s about cultivating genuine connections with my young patients and fostering an environment where they feel seen, heard, and valued.

Moreover, self-love empowers me to embrace challenges as opportunities for growth rather than obstacles to be avoided. But perhaps most importantly, self-love reminds me to lead with compassion — for myself, my patients, and my colleagues. Dentistry, like any other field, can be demanding and at times emotionally taxing. Yet, by extending grace to ourselves and others, we create a culture of kindness and empathy that permeates every aspect of our work.

In essence, self-love is not a destination but a continuous journey — one that requires dedication, patience, and above all, kindness toward oneself.

By nurturing our self-love, we not only enrich our lives but also create ripple effects that extend far beyond the confines of our practice. We become beacons of hope and inspiration, reminding others of the transformative power of love — both for oneself and for the world. As we navigate the complexities of our noble profession, let us never forget the importance of self-love in fulfilling our calling. May we approach each day with open hearts, unwavering in our commitment to care — for our patients, ourselves, and the world we serve.

If you want to stay connected, you can subscribe to my newsletter, where I share some freebies to help you live the life you are called for, like the Inclusive Leader Support Sheet and Boundary Blueprint for Healthcare Professionals.

The Call

Welcome to “The Call,” a blog I am starting where passion meets purpose and service intersects with leadership. This space is dedicated to exploring and celebrating the multifaceted journey of answering life’s most compelling call: the call to serve, lead, and love.

When brainstorming on the name of my blog, “The Call” came to me because I am in a place in my life where I truly feel I am answering the call God has put before me– to nurture the untapped potential in others to succeed through mentorship. It also has a special meaning to me because it’s the name of a weekly newspaper that has been published in my hometown of Kansas City, Missouri (Go Chiefs!) highlighting the stories of trials and triumphs of the African-American community since 1919.

Every post here is more than just a story; it’s an intimate exploration of the pivotal moments that define our paths. I will share my experiences and knowledge to help you embody the essence of living a life fueled by purpose and passion. In “The Call”, you’ll find a wealth of resources and practical advice on how to cultivate a life of service and leadership. From setting boundaries to embracing your authentic self to allowing you to fulfill your calling, this blog is not just about reading my experiences; it’s about igniting a movement of individuals dedicated to making a meaningful impact in the world.

Whether you’re seeking inspiration, guidance, or a community of like-minded individuals, “The Call” is your sanctuary. Join me as we dive into the heart of what it means to answer your call and embrace a life brimming with purpose, passion, and the power to make a difference. Welcome to our journey. Welcome to “The Call.”

Exciting News!

Starting off, my new website is officially launched! If you click the read more button below, you can look at it, too. I am so happy with how it turned out and I can’t wait to fill it up with more content as I release a new blog every month.

I want to give a big shout-out to the Delta Dental Institute which recently gave a very generous grant of $75K to my nonprofit, Diversity In Dentistry Mentorships, Inc. (DIDM) to expand our Diversify  Dentistry Youth Summit into more dental schools across the country. Our Youth Summits and Mentorship programs are making meaningful contributions to the oral health professions by exposing and encouraging more historically underserved groups to dentistry, driving health equity in all communities. You can visit our website at Diversity in Dentistry Mentorships to learn more about our programs and how you can be a #MentorfortheMovement.

What I’ve Been Up To

I recently had the honor of giving a presentation on boundaries at The Pacific Coast Society of Orthodontists, a constituent of the American Association of Orthodontists tripartite at the most magical place on earth, Disneyland! As orthodontists and orthodontic team members, it can sometimes be hard to set the necessary boundaries for a balanced life. During my lecture I discussed burnout prevention, how to recognize and address boundary violations, how to set, protect, and accept your boundaries, and scripts to say “no” to common boundary violations. These are all essential pieces to know and practice for everyone, especially healthcare professionals.

Before the lecture, I had an intimate conversation with the Women in Orthodontics Breakfast where I surprised the attendants as the “Fairy Boundary Godmother” dressed in my blue cloak and wand in hand.  This talk was titled “Fairytale Boundaries: Disney Princess Edition”. During this lecture, I went through a few situations with our beloved Disney Princesses and labeled them as “magical boundaries” or “poisonous boundaries” for us to discuss. If you know me, you know I love a good-themed presentation, and this one was a truly enchanting experience.

Between both of these presentations and the holidays coming up, I was inspired to practice what I preach and do something I’ve never done before… participating in the month of NO’s.

The Month of NO’s

This last December I challenged myself to flex my “no” muscle and set firm boundaries. If I’m honest, I wasn’t excited about it, it was something I needed to do. Four weeks seemed like a lot, but I figured what better time to not take on anything new, to slow down and relax, than around the holidays?

The challenge ended up being very rewarding, I might have to do an entire blog post on it!

I want to challenge all of you reading this to partake in the month of NO’s with me! For a whole month, turn down those new requests that you don’t want to take, say no to going out and yes to staying in, and most importantly, set boundaries.

To help with this challenge, I’ve compiled a list of ways to say “no” without saying the actual word, so you’ll have some responses ready:

“Sorry, that doesn’t work for me.”
“I’m not taking on any more responsibilities.”
“I’m afraid I won’t be able to.”
“I’d love to, but I can’t.”
“That’s not something I can do.”
“I appreciate the offer, but I have to decline.”
“That is out of my scope of expertise.”
“I’m not able to accommodate that request.”
“I’m sorry, but I have other commitments.”
“I’ll be able to answer that when I’m back in the office.”

If you want more support and insight, I have the perfect thing for you! I created a freebie, “The Boundary Blueprint”, to dive deeper into setting boundaries for healthcare professionals. You can download it here.

Saying “no” may seem uncomfortable at first, but the more you do it the easier it becomes. Your future self will thank you for not taking on anything more! As I said earlier it’s not going to be easy at first, but I believe in you! Let’s flex our “no” muscles together.

What’s to Come

2024 is already looking to be a very exciting year for me. I have a lecture on “Leading with Inclusion” at the Mommy Dentist in Business CEO Roundtable coming up, as well as a lot of DIDM events, which I will be sharing here. Also, speaking of what’s to come, this blog is not the only thing you can read from me…

Blog and Newsletter

That’s right, I have a newsletter that you can subscribe to right now! You’ll get monthly updates for me, tips and resources to help you flourish in your professional and personal life, and a sneak peek into my newest blog posts and offerings. This is going to be the best way to keep up with me. I can’t wait to have you on this journey with me!

Thank you so much for reading my first blog. It’s the first of many and I’m looking forward to sharing all of my experiences and lessons that I’ve learned with you! If there is something you would like me to dive deeper into, such as writing a book, getting into speaking, or turning your passion into a nonprofit, let me know by leaving a comment. Welcome to The Call!