While textbooks and theoretical knowledge help in the establishment of a career foundation, mentorship also plays a pivotal role in the growth and development of professionals. This is especially evident in the realm of dentistry, where precision expertise is paramount.

Good mentorship is not just about imparting technical knowledge to another person; it also encompasses providing them with proper professional guidance and facilitating their personal development. This has been the ethos of SmileBay since Day One, where there is a platform for experience-sharing, and newer dentists are given the opportunity to learn from and be guided by the more veteran members of the team.

“Mentorship fills in the gaps from textbook learning. University education just scratches the surface compared to learning from real-life experiences,” shared our dentist, Dr. Tan Pei Yong, who was mentored by our founder, Dr. Yong.

“Dr. Yong is very knowledgeable and experienced. He explains various cases from simple restorations to full mouth rehabilitation, giving us the opportunity to observe his chairside sharing and guidance,” she added. 

Developing Better Professionals 

Whether you are a new or seasoned dentist, you could benefit from a mentorship. There will always be new things to learn, thanks to the constantly evolving nature of the field. 

Some of the benefits of mentorship include:

Tapping into the knowledge and experience of others

You will be able to draw upon the wisdom and experience of more seasoned dentists in specific areas of dentistry and identify ways to expand your own knowledge and skills.

Additionally, your mentor will be able to guide you on the various challenges you may encounter as well as how they were able to overcome similar challenges and achieve success. This also extends to soft skills such as facilitating decision-making processes. 

Honing technical expertise and excellence 

You get personal hands-on guidance from established practitioners to gain better technical proficiency, especially when it comes to intricate dental techniques, as well as learning new skills.

“Gaining real-life experiences can transform one’s career trajectory. At SmileBay Dental, we are fortunate to have easy access to SmileBay Academy, which provides an avenue for us to refine our skills via various workshops,” explained Dr. Tan.

Widening career opportunities

Mentees will be able to expand their horizons and develop a wider professional and support network. This can spark one’s interest in the different branches of dentistry while also opening doors to new career possibilities. 

Getting the Most Out of Your Mentorship  

Mentorship is a two-way street. Here are some things that you can do to ensure you get the most out of yours. 

#1: Set clear goals on what you hope to achieve with this mentorship and share them with your mentor. This helps to ensure that the both of you are headed in the same direction.

#2: Establish a consistent communication channel, where you are able to check in regularly with your mentor. This can help you to feel supported at all times. 

#3: Be prepared to ask questions and take notes, whether on topics that you’d like to discuss with your mentor or on the advice and guidance he or she provides you. 

#4: Observe and pay close attention to your mentor and be prepared to be observed as well. 

#5: Be receptive to feedback, including constructive criticism. This will go a long way in helping you to truly listen to and understand the guidance provided by your mentor as well as becoming a more effective team leader and player. 

When you join the SmileBay family, you’ll be part of an established routine whereby the team will come together and have an open discussion on recent or current cases. This becomes a great avenue for new and even seasoned dentists to get valuable feedback and insights on real-life incidents, allowing them to learn from them and improve on themselves. 

Find out more about how SmileBay Dental can help you further your career in dentistry. Get in touch with us today!