Here are a few examples to help you start crafting your own personal philosophy of care statement.
“I chose dentistry as my profession because I feel drawn toward helping those in need. I truly believe that the desire to help people through dentistry is a calling. Dentistry is an honorable career, and is much more than just a job to earn a paycheck. My mission is to proudly provide nonjudgmental care to those in need regardless of race, spiritual beliefs, lifestyle choices, financial status, or disability. I believe I have a responsibility to provide dental care to those who are unable to afford care because every person is deserving of the benefits of a healthy mouth. I feel my team members are my family and we make decisions together for the overall benefit of the patients that we serve.” "I like a fast paced, high energy office environment where everyone is active at all times. I work hard and earn my time away from the office. I believe the staff should be well trained and highly skilled in order to free up my time to be the most productive that I can be. I have built a well-oiled machine that I am ready to hand off to the next generation of dentist. " “Dentists have a commitment to keep our knowledge and skills current by seeking self-enhancement through perpetual learning. By doing this, we will evolve professionally through evidence-based practice and technological advances rather than stagnating in our beliefs. As a dentist, I envision that I will always continue learning, not only from textbooks and journals, but from interactions with other members of the healthcare team, my patients, and their families. I want to learn each day, and apply what I’ve learned to improve my skills as a dentist. To live out my philosophies, I must remember that while I always try to do my best, I am human, and not perfect. If something does not go as expected, I will examine the situation, and try to learn from it. I am confident that I am a better dentist than yesterday, and I will be an even better dentist tomorrow than I was today. I take time to monitor and reflect on my own actions to verify I am staying on track with what I believe to be dentistry best practices.” "I am a dentist who values the financial rewards of practice ownership and is always looking for new and innovative ways to maximize profits and reduce overhead while maintaining high quality care. I expect my staff to support me in this endeavor because their financial security is directly tied to the success of the practice." “I think I am still in dentistry today because every day brings new opportunities and experiences. Dentistry doesn’t leave room for boredom. If one area of dentistry should no longer meet my needs or career goals, there are a variety of other specialties to explore. My most important contribution to dentistry right now is my positive outlook on life, my enthusiasm, and my ability to offer hope to patients and their families. I hope to make a contribution to dentistry by being a leader and mentor, and inspiring others to enter the dentistry profession.”