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Women in Dentistry: Redefining What Work/Life Balance Means in Dentistry Melissa Thompson, DDS

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In life, there are times when you're stretched in multiple directions and feeling like you're letting someone down, dropping the ball or lacking enough time to conquer tasks. These stressful moments are when you're out of balance and often times work is the culprit. You might say, "I should have stayed at work to finish those performance reviews, pay those bills and order those supplies." Or "I should have spent more time helping my son with his science project."

For many, work/life balance means having it all, but in reality work/life balance is having it all work together. And for dental professionals—especially those with families—it can be achieved by understanding your priorities and having the resources to make them attainable. For me, work/life balance depends on my children's happiness. This means not missing any of their special events and not letting work get in the way of spending time with them. Another important piece of my own balanced life is me time, those opportunities to do what I enjoy—which these days includes running races with my girlfriends. Being an avid runner not only helps me deal with the grind of both work and life, but also helps me unwind and focus on the priorities that will keep me happy.

After seeing so many of my fellow dentists harried by the administrative tasks of running a practice, I quickly realized that in order to get the most out of my job and family, I had to focus on what was important to me: the patients, not the paperwork. While seven months pregnant, I joined Aspen Dental as a managing clinical director to focus more on what I loved to do while caring for my growing family. Now after more than 10 years, I'm a practicing dentist and owner of three Aspen Dental offices in Massachusetts. I'm also the mother of two young sons.

I've truly learned the candle lasts much longer if you don't burn it on both ends. This requires budgeting time productively and working hard to provide quality care and services to my many patients. However, owning an Aspen Dental practice makes this manageable and enjoyable by allowing me to focus on being a dentist while not worrying about the non-clinical, administrative tasks of practice management.

I believe it's important to schedule your day in advance and to have a support system. Keeping active is also important. Maintaining a daily plan that budgets time for work, family and hobbies is crucial to keeping balance. If your day is planned in advance, you most likely can manage your priorities. For example, I make sure I run in the morning before the kids are up, (usually 5 a.m.), and typically do any paperwork during my lunch break or when everyone is in bed.

My husband and office managers also help take some of the weight off my shoulders so I can focus on dentistry. By dividing responsibilities and delegating to people who are able to help, work/life balance becomes feasible and less overwhelming. Being successful requires hard work and concentration. Find something that gives you the momentum to push through the day, and let that accomplishment feed into the following day. For me, I've found that exercising and running give me that high energy.

Another way I've kept my balance intact is gradually meshing work with my personal life. Being a dentist, practice owner and mother does not come without its difficulties, yet the people I surround myself with—both personally and professionally—help keep me balanced and grounded. It is critical knowing that I have the support I need, from my talented office staff who provide day-to-day help, to the team at Aspen Dental Management who support my desire to be a leader.

I've learned so much from my colleagues and other female practice owners who have undergone the same challenges I have. Not only does this build camaraderie within our work, it often crosses over into our personal lives. This all leads to one thing: Female dentists can do it all. Owning a practice, working full time and having a family are all mutually achievable without sacrificing your quality of life. Over the years, I have seen and enjoyed every major milestone in my family while also maintaining a successful career. I can now say I have finally found the balance that allows me to enjoy being a dentist but also enjoy the world outside dentistry.


Dr. Melissa Thompson owns three successful Aspen Dental practices in Woburn, Peabody, and Saugus, Massachusetts. She is also a mother of two young boys and is an avid runner. She is a graduate of the Tufts University School of Dental Medicine.
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