11 Feb Three top lessons I teach my students – Dr Brett Borger

In addition to my work at Martin Street Dentists I am also proud to be a Clinical Tutor at the University of Melbourne (my old stomping ground when I was a student). It doesn’t feel like it was that long ago that I was there myself, but now, being the one writing the exams rather than sitting them, my experience is very different. In general, my role here is to help guide and develop the next crop of Dentists and Oral Health Therapists graduating from Melbourne Uni, to ensure they enter the workplace as confident, ethical and well rounded oral healthcare professionals. Here are the top three things I’ve learned, and at the heart of it all is one key word: communication.

1. Communication is key

If I had to boil it down, the most crucial skill for new dentists is communication. Dentistry is often perceived as a technical field, and while technical skills are undeniably important, clear and compassionate communication is what transforms a good dentist into a great one. From explaining procedures and building trust, to understanding patient concerns, effective communication can make all the difference. I encourage students to always focus on what the patient feels and how they understand each part of the process. Clear dialogue  and listening ensures patients feel informed, respected, and reassured. This is a skill that takes time to master and I don’t think any of us can truly say we ever stop learning when it comes to communication.

2. Bridging the knowledge gap

Working with students has shown me how important it is to bridge the gap between academic learning and real-world application. At university, students master the foundations, yet the transition to a clinical setting often reveals just how challenging patient interactions can be. It’s all very well to be able to prepare a filling on a fake tooth in a mannequin, but when you’re completing the same procedure on a real patient the considerations and stress greatly increase! As a tutor, I love seeing students transform from their very first patient interaction, where they’re often incredibly nervous, but academically prepared, into the confident, professional graduates that enter the workforce at the end of the degree. As I always tell students, the  best way to learn is by doing!

3. We never stop learning

It would be misleading to pretend that myself or any other dentist every truly knows everything about a given subject. We are all constantly learning, growing, developing and adapting to changes in the dental world. I absolutely enjoy the two-way nature of learning as a clinical tutor, where students will ask left-field questions and challenge our current notations of why we do things a certain way. This keeps me on my toes and ensures that I stay up to date with my knowledge, whilst also acknowledging that, like everyone, I never stop learning. Nothing motivates you more to stay up to date than the fear of students asking you a tricky questions you can’t answer!

I’m reminded every time I’m at Melbourne University that while technical skills are essential, communication, empathy, teamwork, and a commitment to ongoing education truly define an outstanding dentist. At Martin Street Dentists I always endeavour to embody my teaching philosophies, and pride myself on providing clear communication with my patients, listening to their needs and concerns and creating a great team environment with reception and nursing staff.

By Dr Brett Borger

PS How lucky we are to have such a fantastic Dentist as part of our team at Martin Street Dentists.  Brett certainly brings compassion and clear communication into our rooms at Martin Street. Thank you Brett for continuing to give back to the broader success of Dentistry in Australia by helping to educate the new Dentists.  Dr Tim Nicholls