Dentistry is Difficult
Gordon Wong
Life is difficult is the first sentence in Scott Peck’s book The Road Less Traveled. For those of us who still practice dentistry, many of us would admit, “dentistry is difficult.” We are certainly not a second-class profession. However, facing up to life’s difficult challenges not only gives meaning and purpose to our lives, but it also helps us to grow mentally and spiritually. Discipline is the basic instrument we need so that “legitimate suffering” (Peck, M. Scott, The Road Less Traveled: A New Psychology of Love, Traditional Values, and Spiritual Growth (New York: Touchstone, 2012), 17.) is not avoided.
According to Peck, ways of legitimate suffering include “delaying of gratification, acceptance of responsibility, dedication to reality and truth, and balancing, which is the discipline of flexibility.” (Peck, 18.)
Indeed, the act of giving something up can be painful. As we make our path through each transition of life, we must be willing to give up old ways of doing or looking at things. How often do we see people who are unwilling or unable to give up outgrown ways of thinking and behaving, thus failing to grow up? They miss out on the delightful resurrection of a successful passage into greater maturity. Ultimately, there is only one hindrance to spiritual growth, and that is laziness.
Many people think that the core of Christianity lies in believing the creed, or living a righteous life, or regular attendance at church. All are vital but miss the focal point in the person of Christ. In Paul’s letter to the Philippians, he writes, “For me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” (Philippians 1:21 ESV) Paul experienced a transitional life crisis when he met Jesus on the road to Damascus. He found that all that was valuable to him, “his ancestry, parentage, and education; his Hebrew culture; his religious zeal and legalistic righteousness,” (John Stott, Through the Bible Through the Year. Daily Reflections from Genesis to Revelation (Grand Rapids: Lion Hudson Limited, 2006), 371.) was counted as loss compared to knowing Christ Jesus his Lord. He continues, “For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ.” (Philippians 3:8b ESV) Here Christ is compared to a treasure that can be “gained.” (Stott, 371.) Paul desires to be, “found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith.” (Philippians 3:9 ESV) Paul leaves the past behind and strives onward towards the future. He then declares, “But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:13-14 ESV)
There have been major advances in the speciality of oral and maxillofacial surgery in just the last twenty years. Central to these changes has been the technological advances in computer planning for reconstructive jaw surgery and its execution. Data collection now involves advanced imaging techniques using 3D X-rays, CT scans, and MRIs to reproduce the patient’s facial anatomy. An in-depth 3D virtual model of the patient’s jaw, teeth, and soft tissues can now be used to simulate the surgical movements virtually. Specialized software can digitally reconstruct several different surgical options before surgery to achieve the ideal end result. Using 3D printing, surgical splints and guides can be custom-made for greater accuracy while performing the surgery. Potential complications during surgery can be foreseen and avoided. The final outcome is more precise, and patient results are much improved and predictable. All these computer-based techniques have been applied to trauma reconstruction, oral pathologic ablation and reconstruction, total temporomandibular joint replacement for degenerative joint disease, and dental implant surgery for partial and complete edentulism.
Keeping abreast of these developments demands constant upgrading and continuing education through regular attendance at conferences, lectures, seminars, hands-on workshops, and Master classes. Difficult or complex cases may require effective referrals to Centers of Excellence. Your national staff at CMDA Canada is aware of the need for upgrading our Christian dentists in new knowledge and techniques in dental education, in addition to providing encouragement in personal faith-building. Consequently, we are introducing at our CMDA Canada National Conference in June 4-7, 2026, in Calgary, Alberta, three new clinical dental workshops in tandem with the spiritual component of the conference. These include workshops in oral and maxillofacial surgery, orthodontics/pedodontics, and oral medicine/orofacial pain. Attendance at all workshops will make participants eligible for nine CE credits through the BC College of Dental Surgeons. So, if you feel that you are failing to negotiate a crisis in your dental professional life, and you seem to be clinging on to old patterns of thinking and behaving, consider registering for the CMDA Canada National Conference and experience a refreshing rebirth of the vision for dentistry that once lay hold of you. Prayerfully consider reaching out and inviting a dental colleague, member or non-member, who may be experiencing a similar transition crisis in their professional life.