What if the biggest thing holding you back in dentistry is trying to be perfect?

In this episode of The Dental Handoff, Dr. Kelly Tanner sits down with Dr. JoAnn Gurenlian to unpack a challenge many dental professionals face but rarely discuss: perfectionism.

From early training to clinical practice, dentistry often reinforces the pressure to get everything right. But that constant pursuit of perfection can quietly lead to burnout, self- doubt, and stalled growth. This conversation explores how fear of mistakes shapes learning, confidence, and long-term success in dental hygiene and beyond.

Dr. Gurenlian shares a different perspective, one grounded in education, leadership, and real clinical experience. Instead of avoiding failure, she explains why it is essential for developing skills, resilience, and better patient care.

With decades of experience in dental hygiene education, research, and advocacy, Dr. Gurenlian offers practical insight into how shifting your mindset can change the way you practice and lead.

If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by expectations in dentistry, this episode will help you rethink what progress actually looks like.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

Why perfectionism is so common in dentistry
How fear of failure impacts clinical performance
Why mistakes are essential for growth and learning
How to build confidence in practice
Ways to shift from perfection to progress

Connect with JoAnn Gurenlian, RDH, MS, PhD, AFAAOM:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/joann-gurenlian-rdh-ms-phd-afaaom-8ab135165/

Where to Find Dr. Kelly:

Let's Connect! Book a Call today to see how I can help you create high-performance teams, discuss educational programs, or how I can be of assistance.

https://calendly.com/drkellytanner/30min

Visit us at https://www.nextleveldentalhygiene.com