Finding Balance: How Wellness and Mindfulness Transform Dental Practices
In the demanding world of dentistry, where precision meets patience and care meets chronic stress, finding balance isn't just beneficial—it's essential. On a recent episode of The Dental Handoff podcast, Dr. Kelly Tanner sat down with Coach Abe, a dental practice manager and fitness expert, to explore the intersection of dental practice management, wellness, and personal growth.
When Dentistry Chooses You
Coach Abe's journey into dentistry wasn't so much a choice as it was destiny. "I don't think I had a choice, Kelly. I was dead in the water from the get-go," he laughs. With a father who sold dental equipment, a grandmother who taught dental assisting, and eventually marrying a dentist, the dental industry became his inevitable path.
Today, he manages the practice owned by his wife, Dr. Nieva. Their professional dynamic is clear: "She is the boss," he emphasizes, noting that in eighteen years of practice ownership, he's only used her first name in the office about four times. This clear boundary between personal and professional relationships has been key to their success.
The Hidden Emotional Challenge in Dental Treatment Acceptance
When asked about surprising aspects of dental practice management, Abe highlights something many practitioners overlook: the emotional impact of patient treatment rejection on dental professionals.
"One of the things that really surprises me is the amount of resistance that people have to sound advice to help them get better," he explains. But what's more profound is how this affects the providers. When patients don't accept recommended treatment, clinicians often internalize this as a reflection on their worth or trustworthiness.
Dr. Tanner relates to this deeply: "We spill our hearts out to people in the back. We show them everything like a crazy person trying to get them to understand. And then the patient doesn't show up. They walk out with unscheduled treatment. And it's heartbreaking to us."
This perspective shift is crucial for dental professionals: understanding that you can only offer the opportunity for healing, not force it. "What we're really doing is providing an opportunity for them to accept the healing," Coach Abe says. "We can't do it for them."
The key takeaway? Don't take treatment rejection personally. Instead, focus on asking patients what's preventing them from proceeding—whether it's fear, pain, or financial concerns—and finding ways to address those specific barriers.
From Fitness Champion to Wellness Coach
Before becoming a dental practice manager, Coach Abe had another journey that shaped his philosophy. As someone who struggled with weight, he found himself reluctantly joining his wife at the gym—a decision that would transform his life.
"I fell in love with the coaching that I received there," he recalls. "There was learning. There was an art process." This experience led him to competitions, where he became a national champion in his weight class and qualified for world competitions.
Then came the setback: a torn quad tendon at a national competition. "That took me for a ride," he admits. "The connection that I had developed about what I was doing and my worth as a person was destroyed in the blink of an eye."
His recovery journey taught him perhaps the most valuable lesson: While we can't control external circumstances, we can choose to engage in the process of growth and healing. As his brother wisely advised him during his depression, "You've got to stop seeing the things you can't do and start seeing the things you can do."
The Wellness Crisis in Dentistry
When the conversation turns to the current state of dental practices, Coach Abe doesn't hold back: "Dentistry is unwell." From compensation issues to ergonomic challenges to unrealistic expectations, the industry faces multiple pressures.
Dental professionals face a unique psychological burden: performing at exceptionally high levels while constantly hearing "I hate going to the dentist." Unlike some other healthcare fields, dental professionals often struggle to leave work stress at the office.
"I can't tell you the number of assistants and hygienists and even some doctors who leave the profession because they can't hang it up," Coach Abe observes. Many internalize this stress or fall into the comparison trap through social media.
Simple Wellness Strategies for Dental Teams
Despite these challenges, Coach Abe remains optimistic: "We're all hardworking, dedicated, caring, butt-kicking bad mo-fos. The people in this industry are amazing." They have what it takes to thrive—they just need to choose wellness.
His practical recommendations for dental professionals include:
Stretching between patients, particularly the pectoral muscles that tighten from hunched positions while treating patients.
Practicing conscious breathing—three deep breaths through the nose and out through the mouth—while washing hands or disinfecting rooms.
Removing unhealthy snacks from break rooms (despite the well-meaning reps who bring them).
Most importantly, I learned to ask for help when needed.
"My message is: do this. Say, 'I need help. I hurt. I don't feel good,'" he emphasizes. "If you don't raise your hand and go, 'Hey, me over here,' you're not part of the process."
Investing in Your Future Self
Every small wellness choice is a personal and professional investment in your future. By taking care of your physical and emotional health now, you're extending your career longevity and quality of life.
As Coach Abe succinctly puts it, "You guys are killing it. Just keep after it. And when you have questions, don't forget—raise your hand and say, 'Hey, I need help.'"
For dental professionals looking to transform their practice wellness, connecting with resources like Coach Abe (thecoachabe.com) could be the first step toward a balanced, sustainable career in dentistry.
Keywords: dental stress management, dental burnout prevention, treatment acceptance, dental breathing techniques, dental career longevity, dental staff wellness, workplace wellness, dental office culture, dental practice ownership, dental stretching, dental mental health, fitness for dental professionals, dental work-life balance, The Dental Handoff podcast, dental team support