Dr. Joel Antel president@cda-adc.ca AReflectionon Service As the calendar year draws to a close, I reflect on the many ways that we as dentists contribute to our local communities and to our profession. Every day, we help our patients lead healthier lives. Many of us also serve our communities in volunteer positions and through other service organizations. We provide support and friendship to our colleagues, in both formal and informal contexts, at study clubs or even with just a quick text or call. This edition of CDA Essentials highlights the mentorship program that the Manitoba Dental Association (MDA) and the University of Manitoba (U of M) Dr. Gerald Niznick College of Dentistry have been providing for dental students for almost 30 years (p. 20). I’ve volunteered both as a mentor and a guest lecturer for the program here in Winnipeg. One of the student mentees that I was paired with was in the two-year International Dentist Degree Program and after the program was complete, we stayed friends. This dentist saw the mentorship program as a way to learn more about the profession but also an opportunity to learn more about Canadian culture. We talked about how to effectively communicate with people in a way that made them feel not only understood, but valued. He has since gone on to become a successful prosthodontist. I really enjoyed my time as a mentor; it felt good to be involved in something that has shown its worth and really works. Mentorship helps new dentists feel greater satisfaction in their chosen profession and helps them navigate their early careers. When I was a dental student, I visited the dental office of a mentor through a program of the Alpha Omega fraternity and ended up working at that office as a new graduate. I was also fortunate to have many professors and colleagues who, though we weren’t in formal mentorship relationships, often guided and encouraged me through my early career challenges. One of the best presentations at the U of M mentorship program that I heard was a dentist talking about the importance of getting involved. It focused on how to contribute as a member of a community and build meaningful relationships. I must’ve heard this message at the right moment in my life because he inspired me to join my local Rotary Club more than 25 years ago now. I imagine that some of the students who attended that lecture might remember it 10 or 20 years into their own careers and find that it’s just as relevant now as it was then. Mentorship is not only about helping new dentists be successful, but also about transmitting the shared culture and values within our profession. For dentists like me, it provides an opportunity to share hard-won knowledge from many years of experience, but it also allows me time to consider what matters most. What values do I want to share with the dentists of tomorrow? I believe the culture of both dental education and dentistry itself is evolving in a positive direction; it asks the best of each of us. As the holiday season and new year approaches, I reflect on what I’m grateful for: my family, my community and a love of music that I share with both family and friends. I also appreciate my patients, my staff and our profession for the way it shaped my life into one of service. I’m thankful for the community of dentists across Canada who make this profession so meaningful and fulfilling. From the President 7 Issue 6 | 2024 | CDA atWork
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