Toothache and denial
As dentists, we see this pattern every week.
A patient notices sensitivity but ignores it.
Painkillers are used to quieten discomfort.
A broken tooth is dismissed because it does not hurt.
Deep down, we recognise what is happening. The patient is living in denial. It is often only when the pain becomes unbearable, when irreversible pulpitis develops, or when a swollen face appears, that the problem is finally acknowledged. Even then, some patients will still only accept emergency treatment, choosing short-term relief rather than addressing the underlying cause, and the clinical situation deteriorates.
We understand the clinical consequences of this behaviour instinctively. What is less comfortable to acknowledge is how often the same pattern shows up in our practices.
The practice equivalent of dental pain
In practices, problems rarely arrive fully formed. They start quietly.
- Insufficient funds to pay p team members on time, principals may not get paid at all
- Payments bouncing
- Silences, sniping, or gossip among team members
- Stock shortages and missing materials
- White space in diaries
- Late cancellations and failures to attend
- Patients not returning
Individually, these issues are often dismissed. Each one can be explained away as a blip, bad luck, or something that will resolve itself. Almost without exception, these are early warning signs of deeper operational or cultural problems developing beneath the surface.
Like dental sensitivity, they are signals, not inconveniences.
Symptomatic relief versus diagnosis
Dentists, particularly principals, are busy people. When issues arise, the default response is often to deal with them one by one, applying quick fixes to restore function and move on.
This is the business equivalent of prescribing antibiotics without taking a radiograph.
Problems are managed at surface level. The underlying cause is rarely explored. Over time, unresolved issues compound, just as untreated decay progresses. The longer this continues, the more complex and costly the eventual intervention becomes.
When the fat face appears
In dentistry, the swollen face is the wake-up call.
In practice ownership, the equivalent often looks like:
- Multiple staff resignations within a short period
- Finances deteriorating to the point where personal assets are put at risk
- Empty appointment books
- Patients quietly leaving and not returning
By the time these signs appear, the problem has usually been present for a long time.
A different approach to practice health
As we enter a new year, my invitation to you, whether you are a principal or an associate planning to become one, is to treat your practice with the same care you expect your patients to give their oral health.
We ask patients to attend six-monthly examinations, three-monthly hygiene visits, and to commit to daily home care. We use structured assessments, radiographs, and regular reviews to maintain health rather than simply reacting to pain.
You can do exactly the same with your practice.
This might include:
- Time deliberately scheduled for planning rather than firefighting
- Using diagnostic tools such as the Brilliant Practice Evaluation (BPE) and the Perfect Patient Journey to assess what is really happening and plan accordingly.
- Consistent team meetings, training, clinical team meetings and financial reviews
- Communication, communication, communication.
- Creating space to look beneath the surface rather than only addressing symptoms
- Regular reflective sessions with a coach
Moving from crisis to maintenance
My role is to support clients, like you, from the metaphorical fat face through to stability, health, and ongoing maintenance.
This may involve helping you identify early warning signs, understand root causes, and put sustainable structures in place before problems become crises.
Whether you have problems in your practice that need to be addressed and 2026 is the year to do it, or your practice is healthy and you want to maintain and improve it, as your coach, I am here to support and guide you. If you would like to explore how this might look for you and your practice, there are several ways we can start a conversation.
In the first instance, there are three ways you can schedule a conversation with me.
- Free Call Friday – Coaching Session
A one-hour coaching session designed to help you start overcoming the challenges you’re facing. This is a fully complimentary session, available between 06:00 and 14:00 on Fridays. It’s a safe and confidential space to think, reflect and begin moving forward.- I guarantee there is no up-sell this is pure coaching and NOT a sales pitch masquerading as a free coaching session. Because you will notice that a shift has been made, even in one conversation, you can choose to do some more coaching and the first step to that is a SPEAK WITH JANE call. I practice cross Infection control In my calls and don’t discuss ongoing coaching at a complimentary Free Call Friday session.
- Speak with Jane
Think of this like a dental examination – not treatment, but an essential diagnostic conversation. During this complimentary 30-minute call. To ensure you get access to the most appropriate coaching , training or workshops, it is essential that we both have a shared and clear understanding of your current situation, the results you want to create. In a SPEAK WITH JANE call, we’ll explore your situation, identify your goals, and co-design a personalised plan for moving forward.
No coaching is done during this session – the focus is on understanding what you need and how I may support you, personally or professionally.
We will schedule a second call to discuss the proposal and any options that are Important to you.
You are welcome to book both a FREE CALL FRIDAY and a SPEAK WITH JANE CALL.
- Paid-for Coaching
If Fridays don’t suit your schedule for a taster session, you can book paid sessions on other days of the week, early mornings and some evenings.
You can bring any area of focus that you want to change to a coaching conversation, professional, practice management, career coaching, communication, overcoming blocks, anxiety, fear, changing unwanted habits etc. Coaching Is a safe place to make the changes you want.
How to Book
To choose the option that best suits you and to book directly online, please visit: www.iodb.co.uk Use the SPEAK WITH JANE button to access our appointment diary.
We use Software of Excellence as our client management software so just please book as a new patient.
A guide to booking appointments online can be found here.
https://iodb.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/How-to-book-an-online-appointment-Oct-2025.pdf
Here Is our online booklet what Is coaching which explains more about coaching and why It Is so useful whatever stage you are In your career. https://iodb.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/What-is-coaching.pdf
If you have any questions before booking, feel free to reply to this email.
I look forward to speaking with you soon.
