Giving back - What does that mean? To each person it means something different. For me, giving back means helping to create opportunities and dreams. The best gifts I have ever received were lessons that provoked thought and opened my eyes to dream. For dental graduation, my parents gave me an account with $10,000 in it - but there were strings. This money could only be used to further my professional career in the form of education. I used this money to attend a well-known cosmetic dentistry education program. That was a gift that still to this day keeps on giving. Each year for Christmas and my birthday (only one week apart) my parents buy me (usually and making me order in front of them using their credit card, then quickly taking their card back) a dental education DVD or CD program (like the Frank Spear DVD or CD education programs).

Many are not in the position not being able to give back financially. Does this mean you can't give back? Absolutely not. This week I am hosting a 4th-year dental student at my office. She was confused about what she wanted to do after graduating - attend an advanced education program or go into practice. She has had a week of hanging out in a dental office that is equipped with the latest technology, that has integrated that technology, and does a variety of general dentistry procedures. Imagine if you had an opportunity to see all that was possible while in school or just out of school.

I was amazed at some of the comments and questions she was asking. You do posterior composites? What is this CEREC thing? You mean you, as a GP, place implants? You enjoy doing molar root canals? You still use rubber dam? You actually have meetings to discuss practice numbers with your team?

It was at this point that I realized how we can all give back to our wonderful profession. I am not trying to 'convert' people to our style of doing things. I am simply trying to open the eyes of dental students to all that is possible and to dream big. She left my office in amazement of what a general practice can become and has a renewed interest in private practice.

So offer your local school to allow 4th-year students to spend a few days with you. Invite a local young dentist to hang out with you for a few days. Do our profession a favor and give back by creating dreams and helping others see what all is possible!