Dear MDIB Community,
In order to perform at our best — whether for our patients, our families, or ourselves — we need to come from a place of strength internally. That foundation is what I call our baseline.
But what does a baseline look like? And what doesn’t it look like?
Too often, as mommy dentists, we push ourselves until we’re mentally and physically wiped out. We come home exhausted, present but not truly attentive. We carry work stress into our personal lives — losing sleep over a patient complaint, a bad review, or not having enough staff. In the process, we neglect our own well-being: skipping exercise, eating poorly, running on fumes, and telling ourselves we “don’t have time.”
The truth is: if our baseline isn’t healthy, nothing else will be optimal.
Step 1: Pause and Regulate
Take intentional moments during your day — even just five minutes in the morning, at lunch, or before bed — to breathe deeply. Reflect on what made you smile, when you felt grateful, or when someone thanked you. Studies show that gratitude calms our nervous system, regulates stress, and literally makes our hearts happier.
Step 2: Care for Your Health
Your body is the engine of your life. Consider finding a trainer, a dietician, or an accountability partner. Hire a yoga teacher to come to you. Bring on an assistant to free up your time. Small shifts create a sustainable baseline of health.
Step 3: Strengthen Your Circle
Who are your “who’s”? The ride-or-dies who support you, keep you accountable, and lift you up. Surround yourself with people who fuel you rather than drain you.
When we recharge our own batteries, we’re able to show up as better dentists, better moms, and better humans. Establishing your baseline isn’t selfish — it’s essential.
Let’s commit, together, to creating that space where we can thrive from the inside out.
With gratitude,
