Written by Dr Keerti Sahasrabudhe
Football season is upon us and like any good apple-pie loving American, I like to muse over the game as a ‘metaphor for my chosen profession’ (For life itself actually, but that comes after the 3rd beer :D) But, seriously though –
A very well respected football personality that I have had the honor of having as my patient, often says that talent will take you through first 3 quarters. For the 4th quarter – you need character.
And I have often thought about it. At times when I’m too tired after 5 hours straight on a sedation case or too tired to give my 100% polishing the provisionals after pouring all my energy into a veneer case and my neck is killing me….I think to myself- this is the fourth quarter. This is where I push. That 600th shot I take on my staff member, to get better at AAACD level photography. That is my 4th quarter readiness training. There are 4th quarters everywhere in dentistry. What tests our character also builds it. And vice-versa.
Talent is innate but the good news here is that character can be developed. It can be built. It can be carved, honed, sculpted, tested, rebuilt, stacked and retested and then pieced together bit by bit.
That Airway course or that photography course over the weekend after a very long and tiring week – THAT is my 4th quarter muscle building. That is what will set me apart and that is what will make me a stronger, sharper, version of myself.
This is what motivates me to take as many CE hours as I do each year. Drives me to keep learning and keep honing my skills. Because talent will get you through the first 3 quarters. But character developed through hard-work and continued training is what’s going to set you apart and get you through the final quarter. In football or in dentistry. I will save the football lessons as a metaphor for life for another post.
Dr Keerti Sahasrabudhe
@drkeertienso
-Restorative dentist
-Board Accredited in the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry
-Fellow Of The Academy of General Dentistry
-MSD in Oral Medicine and TMJ disorders
-Fellow of the Dental Organization For Conscious Sedation
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