August Reflections from the Hive 🐝
August is here—time flies when we are having fun and summers just go by too quickly. Some of us are looking forward to sending our kids back to school and into classrooms with their friends and teachers, their own micro community, and some of us are making transitions that are scary but necessary. The drive to college or boarding school, maybe it’s a new school or high school. Our kids continue to grow and for us as moms it can be hard to let go. SO MANY FEELINGS.
But here we are, back-to-school checklists, and kids adjusting their routines. For many of us in the MDIB community, this month is a bridge between two worlds as Mommy Dentists in Business. It’s a hectic time in the dental office, especially pediatric dentists, and hectic at home buying everything back to school.
It’s easy to get caught up in the logistics—new patient appointments, school forms, seasonal scheduling, and end-of-summer burnout. I used to have to send my kids back in September and remembered, complaining, why can’t they just start already?! But beneath the surface, August is a reminder of why we chose this life in the first place.
We’re here not just to fix teeth—but to build confidence, to nurture wellness, and to offer a little bit of calm and kindness in a child’s often overwhelming day.
A Feel-Good Moment from the Chair
One of my heart warming memories as a former practice owner is something I want to share with you all. Some of you may relate and others not so much, but here it is. I had a young patient who started with me at the age of 5. One day, his father called me the week before his appointment. He wanted to let me know that Alex was now going to be Alexandra at the age of 12. I will never forget the shakiness and concern he had in his voice. He wanted to give me the opportunity to cancel this appointment saying that this change was not accepted by everyone, but that he supported his child. He wanted to know if I would still accept him and his family. In that moment, tears welled up in my eyes. It wasn’t the first time a patient had confided in me about their desire to transition. It made me sad to think that he thought that I would not love this child and would deny care. I vividly remember reassuring Dad that our commitment to their family would never change. Whether Alexandra identified as he or she didn’t matter to us—what mattered was making all of our patients feel seen, safe, and truly comfortable. It reminded me that parenthood is not easy and that one of the reasons I wanted to be a pediatric dentist was to make sure each child entrusted to me feels loved and safe in my hands, in my home. Having treated children from foster care, sometimes they don’t feel loved. And to me that is one of the saddest things and it breaks my heart that children are denied love or don’t feel safe.
You’re Building More Than Smiles
No matter what kind of dentistry you practice, we are all building trust. We offer safety, friendship, and a trusting relationship. We are blessed to be a part of their lives and them, ours.
So as our children head back to school—and as our operatories fill with kids doing the same—pause for a moment. Remember this. We are making a difference and an IMPACT.
Thank you for being part of this hive. For showing up. For balancing both lab coats and lunchboxes. For doing what you do… with heart.
“You’re so much more than a MDIB, you are a force.”
