Dental bro culture is alive and well

Whether we like it or not, we all have a personal brand, whether we have cultivated it or not. We need to be mindful of this when we’re hanging out in public.

A friend showed me this screenshot from “a very large dental facebook group” of which I am not a member. She was asking about my premium and what I thought about it, not what I thought about the post.

I think there’s a “bro culture” in dentistry. I’m sure you wouldn’t have to look too far to find better examples than the one I posted above.

Does it matter? I’ve been a member of other groups where the culture of the group detracted from its purpose which was to help dentists learn from each other. Some of it was led by the moderators.

You could argue that when we’re talking amongst ourselves, whether we are dentist, OHT or specialist, we’re letting off steam and talking with “family”, it doesn’t really matter. We’re in a “safe space” and it’s a way of sharing the burden of being part of a challenging profession.

You could say, not to be so sensitive.

There is a risk that it spills over into our work or home life. If your team members, future employer or employees are part of that group and they observe your interactions, maybe that affects future opportunities?

Maybe it starts to affect they way that we see our patients, and the respect we have for them and their problems?

Maybe younger dentists copy the style to fit in and be “one of the boys”.

Maybe we start to see patients as treatments to be performed rather than people to be helped?

Maybe I’m just showing may age.

Have a great week and don’t forget to share with a friend

Rosie