September 1, this is the traditional day for a new beginning. New school year, new friends, new schedule, etc.. I’m not in school anymore, but I do have a new schedule and some new colleagues. Yes, for our company Sept 1 every year means seeing newbie dentists anxiously doing many things for the first time. I was exactly in that role last year. And as I saw a new colleague work today, I can’t help but feel grateful how far I have gone through from my starting point, yet at the same time wonder what lies ahead in this endless journey of clinical dentistry.

At the beginning of September 2012, I started working as a dentist. I thought I was well-prepared, but I was not. It took quite some time even to make mistakes, and then to adapt to mistakes, and then to try avoiding mistakes. I remember the thrill of success when I actually helped someone, and the dreadfulness when I was stuck into troubles. And all of a sudden those uncertainties of being new was gone, replaced by getting tired of long working hours and heavy workload. But then when you get your pay cheque, you know your hard work has paid off. Looking back, it really was quite a journey.

And what lies ahead? I don’t know. But I’m glad some qualities of being new has not gone – curiosity, paying attention to the minutest detail, patient-centred (not money-oriented) and scientific treatment planning, I still do those things these days, and I hope I always will.

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Speaking of curiosity, I have a new quote for myself lately:

“I’m a curious person – so curious many cats were killed.” Kevin Chan