MY JOURNEY THROUGH DENTISTRY: A STORY OF DEDICATION, TRANSITION, AND MENTORSHIP

By Dr. Suzanne Ebert

Reflecting on my journey through the dental industry, I’m reminded of the twists and turns that led me to where I am today. From building a successful practice from scratch to serving underserved populations as a dental director and, most recently, as the Vice President of Career Services at the American Dental Association, my path has been anything but ordinary.

I was one of the classic “I planned to be a Medical Doctor” people. But, after two problem pregnancies and two beautiful daughters over the course of 2 years, I realized that, for me, being a mom and being a Medical Doctor was not compatible. I admit to floundering for a year or so as I tried to figure out what to do with my life. Luckily, I had a wonderful stepfather who introduced me to the wonderful world of dentistry. I found the artistry, the hand skills, patient care, and the oral/medical connection truly appealed to me. Although dental school was somewhat challenging with two small children, I continue to be thankful to him for pushing me toward such a fabulous career.

After graduating from dental school and completing a General Practice Residency in 1999, I took a leap of faith and opened my own dental practice. This was the perfect choice for me since I truly wanted to ‘build it my way’ and have the flexibility that comes with being the owner of the practice. My favorite example of how this worked for me is when my then 7-year-old said, “All the moms will be at school today for Cheerios Moments. You will be there, right?”. After a quick grumble, I called my scheduling person and had her clear my schedule from 11-12:30, send (rather large) gift cards to the patients, and reschedule them. I could do this as the business owner since the consequences were mine to face.

I understood that this may not have been possible as an employee, and I would have had to disappoint my daughter (she is 31 now and still has the poster from that day). For 11 years, I poured my heart and soul into building a practice committed to providing high-quality patient care while being a hands-on parent. However, life does throw curveballs, and it had other plans for me. When health problems arose, I had to make the tough decision to sell my beloved practice. Ultimately, my passion for dentistry remained unwavering, and I actively sought other ways to satisfy my desire to continue serving patients and the profession.

I had a history of volunteering at a local FQHC (Federally Qualified Health Center), and I transitioned to a role as the dental director, overseeing several clinics that provided dental care to underserved communities. Through interactions with the dental school and working closely with the Florida Dental Association, we obtained funding for special needs patients, ER diversion, and cancer patients requiring dental clearance to begin treatment. As a legislative contact dentist and spokesperson for access to care issues, I was selected to speak regularly with state legislators.

After several years in this role, a number of mission trips, and being privileged to be actively involved in providing clinical instruction to senior dental students as an extramural rotation director, my health issues reared their ugly head once again. It was time to make one of the most difficult decisions of my career when I felt the need to move away from clinical dentistry. Luckily, through my work with the association, I learned about a new program launched by the ADA (American Dental Association) to assist dentists as they pursue their dream careers. Intrigued by the mission, I interviewed and eagerly accepted a position as Vice President.

I quickly learned that life as an association executive is quite different from being a clinical dentist! My skill set has expanded to include the design and development of a digital platform to help dentists through their practice transitions, conceptualization, and implementation of new business products and services designed to help dentists succeed, and working directly with dentists to help them discover and achieve their career goals. In addition, I have the honor of speaking around the country to dentists of all ages on a variety of topics, including contract evaluation, discovering your ideal dental career, leadership, and effective interview and negotiation techniques. Not a day goes by without something new and exciting!

I appreciate the twists and turns that have made me who I am today. It is funny that one of the defining moments of my career came early on when, as a young new business owner, I faced a difficult ethical dilemma. A patient offered to pay a substantial amount for a treatment plan that included procedures I knew were not in the patient’s best interest. Despite the financial temptation, I stood firm in my commitment to providing quality care and declined the offer. It was a tough decision reaffirming my dedication to prioritizing patient well-being, honor, and integrity. I advise all dentists and students to identify their top core values – staying true to them will always lead them down the right path.

As I continue my journey in the dental industry, I’m committed to helping dentists navigate their careers and find success, just as I have. With dedication, perseverance, and the support of mentors, anything is possible in this rewarding profession.

So, to all the dentists out there, remember to stay true to your values, embrace mentorship, and never underestimate the impact you can make in the lives of your patients and your community. The journey may be winding and challenging, but the rewards are immeasurable.

About the author:

Suzanne Ebert, DMD, considers herself a strong advocate for the profession. Prior to joining the American Dental Association, Dr. Ebert’s career took her through starting and selling a solo practice, serving as adjunct faculty, extramural rotation director, and dental director at a Federally Qualified Health Center. She is passionate about providing dentists with the tools they need to make the decisions that are right for them.