Before I became a mum, my journey in dentistry was already filled with challenges that shaped me in unexpected ways. I started in a busy NHS practice, booked solid with 10-to-20-minute patient slots. It was fast-paced, exhausting, and left little room for reflection. I often felt like I was just ticking boxes, not becoming the clinician I dreamed of being.
Later, I moved to a mixed practice, hoping to build my skills and portfolio. Then I became a mum. While I adored growing my family, I felt like I had taken several steps back in my career. I couldn’t keep up with the pace others seemed to maintain. The pressure weighed heavily, and despite investing in courses, I still felt like I was falling behind.
I had been so focused on being “professional” that I neglected something just as important, connection. I wasn’t letting patients see the real me. Slowly, I worked on building rapport, letting my personality come through and connecting with people as me, not just their dentist. It felt vulnerable, but it became one of the most important steps in my growth.
Balancing a career and motherhood is hard. Instagram dentistry felt out of reach. Some Facebook groups left me feeling judged or alone. Instead of helping me grow, those spaces sometimes made my imposter syndrome louder and made me doubt whether I belonged in this profession at all.
For years, imposter syndrome lingered beneath the surface. I doubted myself constantly. I overprepared because I was afraid of being found out. I held back from applying to new roles or speaking up at events. I even turned down opportunities because I didn’t feel worthy.
One of the biggest shifts happened during a casual chat over brunch. I was catching up with an old acquaintance I met at a networking event, talking about life, kids, and work, when she mentioned she was hiring for her private practice. Almost without thinking, I asked if she’d consider one more candidate.
Her surprised laugh, “What, you?” might have stopped me before. But this time, I took it as a challenge. She asked how quickly I could send my CV and portfolio. I didn’t have either ready. That night, I scrummaged through my phone and camera, pulled together a makeshift portfolio and CV, and sent them over. It wasn’t perfect, but it was enough.
That imperfect leap cracked something open. It pulled me into a space where I had to grow to step up clinically, adapt quickly, and trust myself. I didn’t feel ready, but I said yes anyway. And that, yes, was the start of everything that came next.
Confidence isn’t about having all the answers. It’s about trusting that you’ll figure things out along the way. Everything shifted when I was offered that private role. I focused not just on my clinical work, but also on understanding the culture of the practice and learning to lead myself. This wasn’t easy, nor was it comfortable! You learn to adapt and redefine your approaches to enhance patient care, and you continue to unlearn and learn how to be better.
This takes practice and understanding your self-limiting beliefs, as well as reframing the baggage you’ve brought with you that no longer serves you. You need to connect with your future self and stay consistent in your habits to reach your desired goal. Ask yourself, where do you want to be? Work backwards from there!
Today, I teach undergraduate dental students, sharing not just clinical knowledge but also encouraging their personal growth and self-awareness. I work in multiple private practices focused on cosmetic and general dentistry, and a couple where I run a periodontal clinic as a dentist with a special interest. I hold diplomas in both aesthetic and restorative dentistry, as well as in periodontics. But the real growth happened when I stopped seeing myself as just an associate and started seeing myself as a leader in associateship.
My journey isn’t finished. I still hesitate to post my work, second-guess my decisions, and worry about judgment. But I’ve learned to be kinder to myself and to sit with discomfort, because that’s where the real progress happens.
Name the feeling
Giving it a name, “imposter syndrome”, helped me create distance from it. It’s just a feeling, not the truth. I journaled my doubts and wrote facts beside them: courses I completed, positive feedback, and happy patients.
Change the story
“I’m not ready” became “I’ll grow into this.” Growth isn’t always quick or straight. It takes layers and time. You just need to start!
Keep a wins folder
I saved emails from patients, photos of proud moments, and kind messages from mentors. When self-doubt crept in, I reminded myself of the truth.
Talk about it
Opening up to peers showed me I wasn’t alone. Even the most confident-looking dentists are figuring things out, too. Find or create a supportive space like the Dental Mums Network, where honesty and encouragement are the norm.
Accept compliments
It felt awkward at first, but I started saying, “Thanks, I worked hard on that.” And I meant it.
Forget perfection
Perfectionism was my armour, but also my prison. I stopped asking, “Was it perfect?” and started asking, “Did it help someone?”
Say yes before you feel ready
That job I nearly turned down changed my entire career. I still don’t always feel ready, but I say yes anyway.
To the communities and mentors who helped me grow, Perio Academy with Hatem Algraffe, Aspire Academy with Richard Porter and Raheel Malik, Flourish as a Female with Sarika Shah, DRE Composites by Dr Sunny, and Patient Journey Course by Raabiha Maan, thank you. You didn’t just sharpen my clinical skills; you helped me believe in myself. A sense of belonging in a profession that often feels isolating!
Imposter syndrome hasn’t disappeared, but it doesn’t control me anymore. I see it, name it, and keep moving forward.
To every woman, mum, or mum-to-be feeling stuck or unsure, you don’t have to wait until you feel ready. Say yes. You already are.
