Lessons Learned The hardest experiences often offer the clearest lessons, if we are willing to sit with them long enough to listen. First, I learned that professionalism is not about never making mistakes. It’s about how we respond when we do. True professionalism lies not in the maintenance of a perfect image, but in the commitment to learn, to grow, and to take accountability without losing compassion for ourselves. The views expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions or official policies of the Canadian Dental Association. Second, I learned that rebuilding trust takes time, transparency, and consistency. A public stumble can feel like a final verdict, but it doesn’t have to be the final chapter. Every day, through every patient interaction, every team meeting, every quiet decision to keep showing up with integrity, we write a new story. Trust is not rebuilt with grand declarations—it is rebuilt with small, steadfast acts. Third, I recognized how important it is to extend grace—not just outwardly, but inwardly. We often reserve our harshest judgments for ourselves. We hold ourselves to impossible standards of strength, composure, and perfection, forgetting that resilience is not about never breaking; it is about choosing to heal, even when it would be easier to stay hidden. Finally, I realized the importance of redefining authenticity for myself. For years, I had kept parts of my identity tucked away, believing they didn’t belong in my professional life. But embracing my roots—my full name, my heritage, my story—has allowed me to step into my role as a dentist with more wholeness and sincerity than ever before. We, as a profession, must create space for that complexity. We must allow our colleagues—and ourselves—to be imperfect, emotional, and impacted by the world. We must recognize that resilience does not erase struggle; it rises from it. Our profession is built not just on clinical excellence, but on trust, empathy, and the quiet courage to keep going—even when it’s hard. I learned that professionalism is not about never making mistakes. It’s about how we respond when we do. 22 | 2025 | Issue 4 Issues and People
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