The Making of a Mentor

A PowerPoint Companion

Definition of Mentor

(n): A wise and trusted counselor or teacher.

(v): To serve as a trusted counselor or teacher, especially in occupational settings.

Famous Mentors and Mentees

Socrates and Aristotle Louis Sullivan and Frank Lloyd

Wright Henry Higgins and Eliza Doolittle King Arthur and Sir Lancelot Batman and Robin

Dr. Eugene Truono, 1990 ADA President

“Mentors represent the passing of the baton. The role of the mentor is complex. It involves teaching, providing a model, serving as a listener and a sounding board, and acting as a cheerleader now and then. Above all, it means being a friend.”

Why a Mentor Program?

Dental students have asked for it Involvement and outreach Tangible and easy Protecting the future of dentistry It’s a win-win

ADA Surveys Show Students Want Help

80% of dental students noted that a mentor program at the state or local level would be useful*

About 81% of students who responded wrote specifics about wanting to learn more about the business side of running a practice**

*American Dental Association 2003 Dental Student Survey

**American Dental Association 2005 Dental Student Survey

Involvement and Outreach

Involving students in organized dentistry as early as freshman year can lead to a lifelong commitment to organized dentistry

A Mentor Program is a service which can really demonstrate organized dentistry’s support and camaraderie

Tangible and Easy

It’s a resource which can be used starting freshman year and leading all the way through graduation

Mentors and mentees drive the program – so it can be as informal and involved as it fits your schedule and needs

Protecting the Future of Dentistry

By making connections with the younger generation of dentists mentors can help ensure a solid dental profession for the future

Mentors can impart the wisdom that comes with experience and help students and recent graduates make informed career and financial choices – because stronger dentists equates to a stronger profession

It’s a Win-Win

Dental students/recent graduates receive a service they want

Dentists become involved and help secure the future of the profession

Dental societies have an added benefit and involved members

Three Important Items to Remember

You are the Mentor – the one to set the precedent

It’s OK not to know all the answers Have fun!

The First Meeting

Make the first contact - by phone, email, or letter

Schedule your first meeting Discuss goals and expectations from this

mentor relationship Review activities you can explore

together Let the mentee know that your door is

open to them Schedule a future time to meet/activity

to do

Suggested Activities

Lunch/dinner Dental office visit(s) Monthly dental meeting Golfing, shopping,

theatre, or sporting event

Dental society’s annual meeting

Part-time non-clinical position in your office

ASDA activity at the dental school

Introduce mentee to colleagues with similar pursuits

Lunch/dinner before the boards to show support

Commemorate something special in the mentee’s life

Submit photos and information about your outing for publication in a dental society newsletter

Being Prepared for Questions

Materials that outline frequently asked questions The Making of a Mentor- Guidelines for and

Effective Mentorship FAQs on student section of ADA.org

Much of the Q&A will be personal and subjective – so there isn’t any right or wrong answers

Remember: Nobody has all the answers!

The Making of a Mentor- Guidelines for and Effective Mentorship

Top Ten Questions and Answers*

1. How do you get patients?

2. What kinds of reimbursement programs do you participate in and how do they work?

3. How did you choose this location to practice?

4. How many hours do you practice in a week?

5. What is the role of your hygienist/assistant?

6. How do you balance your personal and professional life?

7. What professional advice can you give me?

8. I’m worried about repaying my debt. What kind of income did you make just starting out, and what is your current income?

9. What is the cost of establishing or acquiring a practice?

10. What is your practice setting and why did you choose it?

*These questions and answers can be found in The Making of a Mentor- Guidelines for and Effective

Mentorship

ADA.org’s Dental Student FAQ*

1. How can I find an area to practice that needs dentists?

2. How can I find a practice for sale?

3. How can I find an associateship position?

4. What is a fair associateship contract?

5. What alternatives to private practice are available to me?

6. What can I do to prepare for the clinical licensing exam?

7. What can I do if I fail the clinical licensing exam?

8. How can I manage my student loan repayment?

9. How do I decide if a managed care plan is right for me?

10. Where can I get advice on clinical and practice matters?

11. When does my ASDA/ADA student membership expire?

12. Can you tell me more about ADA membership?

*These questions and answers can be found at www.ada.org/goto/student

Some Questions Mentors Can Ponder Before You Meet with Your Mentee

Did you have your own personal business plan? What career decisions did you make about your

practice that established you where you are today?

Did you plan it this way, or were decisions driven by life choices or career opportunities?

Do you have aspirations for a new direction in your practice, and what is the driving force?

Are you completely satisfied with your current practice setting, and why do you not wish to change it?

Recent Graduate Financial Issues

According to the ADA’s 1998 Survey on the Impact of Student Debt, over 63% of respondents indicated that their level of debt had and affect on their practice options

A majority couldn’t start or purchase their own practice and had to take an associateship position

30% of those dentists polled stated that they would like to practice part-time, but their loan repayment requires them to practice full-time

ADEA’s Survey of Dental Student Financial Assistance (2003-04)

1997 graduates borrowed an average of $28,400 per year

2004 graduates borrowed an average of $43,191 per year

90.1% of 2004 grads received financial assistance

Among those who carried debt the average was $135,721

$0$5,000$10,000$15,000$20,000$25,000$30,000$35,000$40,000$45,000

AverageAnnualLoan

1997Grad

2004Grad

The Cost of a Dental Education

Just between 2001-02 and 2003-04 academic years tuition and fees increased 21.4%

For the class of 2004, financial assistance exceeded tuition and fees by 104%

the average financial assistance per student was $43,191 for the 2003-04 school year

$17,413

$21,141

$0

$5,000

$10,000

$15,000

$20,000

$25,000

AverageTuition

2001-02SchoolYear

2003-04SchoolYear

Financial Issues Continued

Be sensitive to mentee’s financial position Discuss the high cost of a dental

education and the responsibility needed to keep student loans as low as possible

$5,000 borrowed today can easily translate to $10,000 repayment in the future

The Rule of 72: 72 divided by the interest percentage is the number of years it takes for debt to double

ADA’s Financial Planning Issues for Dental Students available on ADA.org

If the Relationship Isn’t Working

Not all matches are “meant to be” Let the student/recent grad know

from the onset that requesting a new match is very appropriate, if need be

Contact the dental society program coordinator for a new match

Program Evaluation

Feedback forms are available for both you and the mentee, but informal feedback is always welcomed and encouraged

Contribute new activities and ideas so that others can share in your successes

A Friend for Life

"How fortunate it was for me to be matched with Dr. Gene Shoemaker as mentor in my freshman year and all succeeding years of dental school at Marquette University. It has seemed a great privilege to observe him as he interacts with his patients, dental professionals, and educational and civic leaders. Through his leadership, I have learned what it means to contribute, serve and be part of the professional community. Dr. Shoemaker continues to be my lighthouse, my confidant, my mentor, my exemplar, my friend."

Dr. Mason Minor

Conclusion

Contact_______ at _______ Dental Society at xxx-xxx-xxxx for specific information about this program.

OR

Contact the ADA Committee on the New Dentist newdentist@ada.org/800-621-8099, ext. 2779 with general questions.