The New Professional: The Unspoken Costs of Saying ‘Yes’ to Everything

Authors

Amrita Patel DDS, General Practice, New York CityFollow

Abstract

Dr. Amrita Patel’s regular New Professional column guides new dentists who often feel pressured to say "yes" all the time to build goodwill and prove themselves. It warns that this mindset can lead to burnout, resentment, and loss of personal time. The outdated belief that professionalism requires constant sacrifice is considered harmful. Boundary-setting is shown as a vital skill, not a character flaw, for a sustainable career. The author offers scripts for politely turning down requests when at capacity. By emphasizing well-being and demonstrating healthy boundaries, new dentists gain respect and foster a more sustainable workplace for everyone, reinforcing that value is found through intentional presence and self-care.

Recommended Citation

Patel, Amrita DDS (2025) "The New Professional: The Unspoken Costs of Saying ‘Yes’ to Everything," The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association: Vol. 107: No. 10, Article 6.
Available at: https://commons.ada.org/journalmichigandentalassociation/vol107/iss10/6