Commitment: The First Step to Success in Dentistry

Did you know that nothing ever gets done without first making a commitment? Think about it: if you're a dentist, you first had to commit to going to high school, then college, taking your boards, studying, etc. Or, if you're an athlete, whether you've run a marathon, done a 10K, or simply go to the gym, you first have to commit to getting out of bed and going to the gym in the morning. This doesn't guarantee success, but it’s the first step.

One of my mentors, Dan Sullivan, talks about the importance of commitment. It’s not easy, but after commitment, you gain the courage to go through with it. Then you develop the capability, followed by confidence. He calls this the "Four C’s." We’ll dive deeper into that another time. Today, I want to talk about the power of commitment.

A Lesson from a Mentor: The Importance of Making a Real Commitment

A number of years ago, one of my mentors, Dr. PD Miller, who is the father of periodontal plastic surgery, asked me to give a lecture at the International Society of Periodontal Plastic Surgeons during a meeting of the American Academy of Periodontology. I gave a lecture about keeping people’s teeth for 30 years, even those with severe periodontal disease in the anterior aesthetic zone.

After the lecture, PD came up to me and said, “Mike, I really liked your lecture. You should write that up.” I said, “Sure, I’ll do that,” but in reality, I had no intention of doing it. Writing clinical articles is difficult for me, and I wasn’t excited about the task.

About a week later, I was at home on a Sunday working on a different lecture when PD called me. For me, PD Miller is an icon—someone I’ve respected since my early 30s. Now, I’m 60, and he’s 80, and here he was, calling me on a Sunday morning. It was an honor. He asked me, “How’s that article coming?” I replied, “The lecture’s done, but I haven’t written the article yet.”

He said, “Well, you going to write it?” I said, “Yeah, I told you I would.” Then he said, “That’s not a commitment.”

I smiled because here was an 80-year-old calling a 60-year-old on a Sunday morning asking me to write an article. I knew PD was serious.

The True Meaning of Commitment

At that moment, he helped me understand that commitment isn’t just a vague promise—it’s an explicit agreement. He said, “Mike, I want you to say this: ‘I, Michael Sonick, commit to you, Dr. PD Miller, to write this article and get it to your office within the next four weeks.’”

I repeated after him, and then I made the commitment. Two weeks later, the article was in his office. Four months later, it was published. Without PD’s call, I would never have written the article. It was his way of holding me accountable and making sure I stuck to my commitment.

How Commitment Can Help Your Patients

Why am I sharing this story with you? Because it got me thinking that maybe I should use the power of commitment with all of my new patients. When a new patient comes into my office and requires comprehensive care, especially those who need maintenance due to periodontal disease or tooth loss, I make sure they commit to regular visits.

One of the most important aspects of maintaining teeth on a long-term basis is consistent care. I tell patients that they must commit to getting their teeth cleaned every three months. Now, this is something a little unusual. How often have you, as a patient, gone to a doctor and had them ask you to commit to something like cutting out sugar, exercising four times a week, or getting eight hours of sleep each night? It’s never happened to me before, and it probably hasn’t happened to you either.

As dentists, we are the coaches for our patients. I’m an oral hygiene coach, and it’s probably one of the most important roles I have. So, after the initial exam and treatment plan, I ask my patients, “Do you commit to getting your teeth cleaned every three months for the rest of your life? Whether it’s in my office or with another competent periodontist or restorative dentist, do you commit?”

The Power of a Strong Commitment

At first, patients might hesitate. They might say, “Yes.” But I tell them, “That’s not a commitment.” Then they look at me, a little confused. “I want you to say this: ‘I, [Patient’s Name], commit to you, Dr. Michael Sonick, to get my teeth cleaned every three months for the rest of my life.’”

Then, we smile, and the commitment is made. That’s how the first visit ends, even before any treatment is done. And when I follow up with patients later, when we’re reassessing and scheduling future visits, I remind them of their commitment.

What’s interesting is that they often laugh because they remember that first visit. For many of them, it was the first time anyone had asked them to make such a commitment to themselves. It becomes a significant emotional event that sticks with them, and it reinforces their long-term commitment to maintaining their oral health.

Commitment in All Areas of Life

I use this same approach in every area of my life, whether it’s with my children, friends, or colleagues. I ask, “Do you commit to following this advice?” Without commitment, nothing will change. It’s the first step toward gaining capability, developing confidence, and achieving success.

The Key to Better Oral Health: Be the Gift to Your Patients

If you want your patients to have better oral health and for the work you do for them to last, this is the key. It’s about making them commit to their own health and taking responsibility for their oral care. That’s why we’re doing this—to be the gift to our patients and provide them with lasting, positive results.

I hope this message helps you in your practice. Remember, be the gift to your patients and to everyone in your life.

By framing this advice within the concept of commitment, it not only empowers patients to take control of their oral health, but it also strengthens the dentist-patient relationship. This simple yet powerful tool can transform the way you approach patient care and lead to better long-term outcomes for everyone involved.