Rana Al-Falaki explains why doing more courses isn’t always the answer to becoming a better dentist.
You may have heard of the so-called 10,000-hour rule – the idea that mastery in any field requires years of relentless practice – 2.6 to be exact.
It’s often cited when we talk about elite musicians, athletes and high performers, and it’s usually offered as reassurance: keep going, put the hours in and eventually you’ll get there.
Yet in dentistry, I meet many professionals who are quietly doing the hours and the courses, without feeling any closer to confidence, mastery or fulfilment. In fact, one of the most common frustrations I hear, particularly from associates, is this: ‘I’ve invested so much in courses, but I still don’t feel like a better dentist and am not earning any more money.’
