Fear Is Normal — Here’s How Dentists Can Use It as a Superpower
- Filo Insstitute
- Nov 17, 2025
- 7 min read
Fear is a natural and universal part of being a dentist, experienced by even the most senior professionals. Rather than avoiding it, true growth comes from understanding where fear originates and whether emotional, rational, or instinctual. If we learn to face it with openness and courage, by embracing vulnerability and recognizing fear as a signpost for growth, dentists can build deeper patient connections and stronger professional confidence. Everyone encounters fear, but those who grow are the ones who choose to confront it, again and again. With this foundation, we can now explore practical techniques to cope with and apply this mindset in real-world dental practice. This article is the 3rd article of the 3-Part Series of the Embracing Fear in Dentistry: From Struggle to Strength.
Let’s see a couple of practical guides from the previous article:
Fear of Failure
Avoiding Complex Procedures: A dentist repeatedly refers out complex extractions or root canals. Even though they have the required training - still fear they might make a mistake. This not only limits their growth (financially as well) but reduces trust in their capabilities.
Structured Exposure with Reflection
How it works: Gradual exposure to feared tasks reduces anxiety while strengthening confidence. Begin with an easy version of the task and reflect afterward to reinforce success.
Application Steps:
Choose one "simple" case per week (e.g., a less complex root canal)
Only complete 1 stage endo treatment - (confirm with Working length X-ray & Apex locator)
Reflect briefly post-procedure: What went right? What did you learn?
Also - if you try a new procedure take pictures ((e.g., cavity preparation) of the steps and evaluate your work later
Fear of Success
Resisting Self-Promotion: The dentist avoids promoting their skills or their clinic online, fearing that appearing too confident or successful might attract negative attention.
Reframe Marketing as Education & Service
What to do: Shift your mindset from “I’m showing off” to “I’m educating and serving.”
How:
Instead of focusing on yourself, highlight patient benefits (e.g., “How Invisalign improved my patient’s confidence”).
Use storytelling: Share real (consented) cases showing a transformation, not just skills. Add extra steps that you learned from it.
Ask yourself: "If I don’t share what I can do, who might miss out on the care they need?"
Why it works: It reduces the internal pressure to appear “perfect” and focuses on your value. Many colleagues will not only comment but give you advice and you could grow your professional network as well.
Fear of Rejection
Avoiding Price Discussions: A dentist hesitates to discuss treatment costs or offer higher-priced options, fearing patients will reject the proposal or think it’s too expensive.
Role-Play Price Conversations in Advance
What to do: Build confidence by practicing difficult discussions in a low-stakes environment.
How:
Partner with a colleague or team member (or family member) and role-play price explanations and patient objections - before you present them to the patient.
Use scripts or common patient responses like, “That’s too expensive,” or “Can I just do the cheaper one?”
Practice answering with calm, empathetic clarity.
Why it works: Rehearsal reduces anxiety and builds fluency in discussing fees naturally, without fear-driven avoidance.
Fear of Not Being Enough (Impostor Syndrome)
Impostor Syndrome in New Dentists: A recently graduated dentist feels like a fraud, thinking they don’t deserve their job or patients’ trust despite positive feedback.”
Adopt a “Student-for-Life” Mindset
What to do: Shift from “I must know everything now” to “I’m always growing—and that’s okay.”
How:
Set small learning goals each month (e.g., mastering one new material or procedure by writing down - creating your protocols).
Remind yourself: Confidence doesn’t come from knowing it all, but from knowing you can learn and adapt.
Use affirmations like: “I’m not behind—I’m building & learning.”
Why it works: Impostors feel they must already be perfect. Growth-minded dentists know mastery is a process, not a starting point.
Fear of Scarcity (Not Having Enough)
Time Scarcity: Feeling there is never enough time in the day, a dentist rushes through procedures or takes more time (like polishing that filling), forgets to take proper clinical notes, and skips breaks to finish in time. All these points lead to burnout and decreased clinical quality.
Reframe Rushing as a Clinical Risk, Not a Time Saver
What to do: Recondition your brain to see rushing as dangerous => not productive.
How:
Visual cue: Post a sticky note on your computer with a message like “Steady pace, safer practice.”
When tempted to skip a note or break, pause and ask: “Will this save time—or cost me later?”
Build a weekly reflection habit: Where did I rush unnecessarily? What’s one adjustment I can try next week?
Why it works: Fear-based rushing feels urgent but often causes mistakes and stress. Reframing helps shift from reactive to intentional decisions. “ Quality today prevents fixes tomorrow.”
Fear of Scarcity (Not Having Enough)
Time Scarcity: Feeling there is never enough time in the day, a dentist rushes through procedures or takes more time (like polishing that filling), forgets to take proper clinical notes, and skips breaks to finish in time. All these points lead to burnout and decreased clinical quality.
Reframe Rushing as a Clinical Risk, Not a Time Saver
What to do: Recondition your brain to see rushing as dangerous => not productive.
How:
Visual cue: Post a sticky note on your computer with a message like “Steady pace, safer practice.”
When tempted to skip a note or break, pause and ask: “Will this save time—or cost me later?”
Build a weekly reflection habit: Where did I rush unnecessarily? What’s one adjustment I can try next week?
Why it works: Fear-based rushing feels urgent but often causes mistakes and stress. Reframing helps shift from reactive to intentional decisions. “ Quality today prevents fixes tomorrow.”
Fear of Losing Control / Uncertainty
Financial Insecurity in Private Practice: Hesitates to invest in new equipment, marketing, or hiring more colleagues. They fear that they are not able to control ROI or the quality of other colleagues’ clinical work.
Test-and-Track Mindset
What to do: Research and check reviews before investing in new equipment
How:
Attend a course or demo webinar - try the equipment and ask as many questions as needed
Trial new equipment with a short-term rental ( e.g., dental loupes) or ask for a demo period before committing.
Why it works: You maintain control by collecting data in small steps. This builds trust in your decisions and reduces fear of irreversible mistakes.
Fear of Isolation / Loneliness
New Graduate in a Large Clinic: A newly qualified dentist or someone moves to a different country- join a busy multi-chair clinic where everyone seems confident and experienced. They feel like an outsider, unsure of who to ask for help, and fear being judged as weak if they reach out. Moreover, “they close their door” when they start their shift so the new dentist struggles with feelings of loneliness.
Build Belonging Outside the Clinic
What to do: Balance the loneliness at work by nurturing social and professional connections elsewhere.
How:
Join online forums for dentists in your region or keep in touch with your peers from dental school
Attend dental workshops or CE events not just for learning—but for social bonding.
If in a new country, explore interest-based community groups (sports, art, language exchange) to widen your emotional safety net.
Why it works: When belonging doesn’t come easily at work, external connections can protect your well-being and reinforce your confidence. Dentistry is part of our life!
Fear of Illness / Death (Physical Harm)
Worry About Long-Term Career Impact of Illness & Ergonomic Injuries: Fearing that a serious illness or physical limitation could force early retirement or affect the ability to provide dental care, causing emotional distress. Concern over developing chronic musculoskeletal problems, such as back or neck pain, from long hours of precise dental work in awkward positions.
Treat Ergonomics as a Daily Non-Negotiable
What to do: Shift your mindset from “I'll stretch when I have time” to “Work smart now to avoid pain later.”
How:
Invest in adjustable ergonomic stools, loupes with proper declination angles, and saddle chairs to reduce strain.
Build a 5-minute pre-clinic warm-up (neck rolls, shoulder stretches, spine mobility).
Set a phone reminder for a quick stretch break every 90–120 minutes, even if it’s just 1 minute between patients (go for a short walk - just change the location)
Why it works: Preventing injury becomes part of your identity as a responsible clinician—not an afterthought.
Some quick exercises:
Fear of Being Insignificant / Unfulfilled
Comparing Oneself to More Successful Peers: A dentist feels insignificant when comparing their skills, achievements, or reputation to highly accomplished colleagues, leading to self-doubt and low confidence.
Define Your Version of Success
What to do: Shift from external benchmarks to internal values.
How:
Write down 3 things that truly matter to you in your dental career
Create a “Personal Success Statement” like: “I will maintain work-life balance by finishing clinical notes before leaving the clinic and disconnecting from work communication after 6:30 PM at least 4 out of 5 weekdays.”
Why it works: Measure your progress against your values—not someone else’s achievements.
Every experienced dentist you admire once stood exactly where you are today.
BONUS:
Here’s a friendly, detailed list of coping mechanisms for daily fears faced by dentists, organized into clear categories with 3 subcategories each. These strategies help dentists recognize, feel, and transform their fears into growth and confidence.
1. Get to Know Your Fear
Understanding your fear is the first step to overcoming it.
Journal Your Fear: Write down what triggers your fear—maybe a tough patient, a tricky procedure, or public speaking at a seminar. Putting it on paper helps you see it.
Talk About It: Share your fears with trusted colleagues or friends. Sometimes just saying it out loud takes away some power.
Inventory & Interview Your Fear: Make a list of your fears and ask yourself: “Where did this fear start?” or “What’s the worst that can happen?” This helps you separate reality from exaggeration.
2. Put a Boost on Your Fear
Bring fears into the light to reduce their control over you.
Talk it Out with Someone You Trust: Having a conversation about your fears with a mentor or friend can give you a new perspective.
Label It: Give your fear a name—“The Perfectionist,” “The Doubter,” or “The Critic.” This personifies the fear and makes it less mysterious.
Bring It to Sunlight: Writing down fears and reading them out loud or discussing them helps you bring subconscious worries into conscious awareness.
3. Create Visual Motivation
Use imagery to remind yourself why you face fears.
Giant Visual Image or Collage: Create a vision board with your goals—like owning your dream practice or mastering a skill—and look at it daily.
Morning Ritual: Start your day focusing on these images and intentions when your mind is freshest.
Positive Affirmations: Add words of encouragement on your board—“I am capable,” “I grow stronger every day.”
