"Believe it before you see it" is a quote by New England Patriots' Head Coach Mike Vrabel following the Patriots' victory in the NFL's American Football Conference Championship game against the Denver Broncos. Despite challenging, snow-covered conditions, the Patriots advanced to Super Bowl LX.
Ann-Marie DePalma, CDA, RDH.
This mindset, which underscores the value of visualizing success before its realization, is highly relevant in dentistry. When teams -- whether football or dental -- have confidence in their strategies and share a commitment to their objectives, collective achievement is enhanced. Alignment among team members regarding the practice's philosophy and goals benefits both the practice as a whole and each team member.
Success in football depends on strategic plays such as touchdowns, first downs, and field goals. In contrast, success in dentistry is measured by patient case acceptance and ensuring that team members occupy roles that match their skills and strengths.
Effective leadership is crucial in both areas: Coaches drive performance in sports, while the dentist-owner leads the dental practice. Nonetheless, leadership is not exclusive to any single role; every team member has a responsibility to lead themselves, support patients, and contribute to the team's development.
Leadership involves empowering colleagues to make informed decisions, demonstrating purpose, delivering quality service, and practicing exemplary communication. Football teams thrive when coaches trust players to exercise judgment during critical moments, when mutual respect and encouragement are present among team members and when effective communication is maintained.
Similarly, dental teams benefit from viewing challenges as opportunities for growth, helping patients appreciate valuable treatments, and actively listening to patient concerns. Reliable teamwork and clear communication are the hallmarks of successful practices.
Tom Brady, upon his induction into the Patriots Hall of Fame, remarked, "To be successful at anything, the truth is, you don't have to be special. You just have to be what most people aren't: consistent, determined, and willing to work for it. No shortcuts."
The same principles apply to dental professionals, who must demonstrate consistency, determination, and a commitment to ethical and uncompromised patient care and team dynamics. Belief in excellence is fundamental to achieving the highest standard of patient care.
Whoever wins the Super Bowl, Seattle or New England, it will surely be a game that demonstrates the mindset and leadership that the game commands: Believing it before you see it. Does your practice and team believe in the philosophy and goals that create excellent patient care?
Ann-Marie C. DePalma, CDA, RDH, MEd, is a graduate of the Forsyth School for Dental Hygienists, Northeastern University, and the University of Massachusetts Boston. She is a fellow of the Association of Dental Implant Auxiliaries, a fellow of the American Academy of Dental Hygiene, a continuous member and fellow of the American Dental Hygienists' Association, as well as a lifetime member of the American Association of Dental Office Management. She is the 2017 Esther Wilkins Distinguished Alumni of Forsyth Award recipient.
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