Personality Types in Dentistry

[HabituallyPlacid]

Hi guys,

For some reason or another I’ve started to think about the kind of people that go into dentistry and how dentists with varying personality designations (ex. ISFP, ENFP) are equipped to take on the responsibility of practice ownership, associateship, or specializing. There’s some research surveying the personality types of specializing dentists across different countries (attached below) and I’m not sure how someone like me with a more scarce designation—INFJ (according to the assessment I took nearly four years ago)—can be the kind of person my patients enjoy coming to and feel comfortable around. I’ve heard some current dentists say that as long as you’re not completely socially inept, you’ll be able to be a good clinician. But the business-directed prospects for more introverted dentists seems somewhat limiting, at least at first glance.

Introversion isn’t a presumptuous hinderance to skill-level or ability, but may be reasonably regarded as a disadvantage to the “universally-desirable” qualities observed to be comparatively profound in those of extroversion. Knowing this, a case could be made for the consequences of introversion or the rights of advice from those who would beguile themselves in opposition to such perceived consequences. What would you remark?

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[macsak]

Hi guys,

For some reason or another I’ve started to think about the kind of people that go into dentistry and how dentists with varying personality designations (ex. ISFP, ENFP) are equipped to take on the responsibility of practice ownership, associateship, or specializing. There’s some research surveying the personality types of specializing dentists across different countries (attached below) and I’m not sure how someone like me with a more scarce designation—INFJ (according to the assessment I took nearly four years ago)—can be the kind of person my patients enjoy coming to and feel comfortable around. I’ve heard some current dentists say that as long as you’re not completely socially inept, you’ll be able to a good clinician. But the business-directed prospects for more introverted dentists seems somewhat limiting, at least at first glance.

Introversion isn’t a presumptuous hinderance to skill-level or ability, but may be reasonably regarded as a disadvantage to the “universally-desirable” qualities observed to be comparatively profound in those of extroversion. Knowing this, a case could be made for the consequences of introversion or the rights of advice from those who would beguile themselves in opposition to such perceived consequences. What would you remark?

the majority of all dentists are introverts, so it obviously is not an impediment at all
like most in life, dentists spend a ton of their time faking how they really feel...

 

[HabituallyPlacid]

the majority of all dentists are introverts, so it obviously is not an impediment at all
like most in life, dentists spend a ton of their time faking how they really feel...

What happened to the “Type-A” personality generalization that many dental students believe most of their classmates fit under? I imagine it would be quite painstaking to endure those peers in dental school who would rather hang out with a block of cheese than spend time with someone they don’t naturally resonate with. Some don’t seem interested in the pretenses of normal social rites conflicting with those of their prior conventions. There are degrees to introversion and extroversion of course, but what of those who should find a calling in dental medicine while also withstanding the berating voices that linger to their minds—asking constantly “why would you seek such a path that shields one true self in place of a blemishing facade which will surely corrode your soul?” I may just be too involved with these thoughts honestly.

 

[2thDoc11]

What happened to the “Type-A” personality generalization that many dental students believe most of their classmates fit under? I imagine it would be quite painstaking to endure those peers in dental school who would rather hang out with a block of cheese than spend time with someone they don’t naturally resonate with. Some don’t seem interested in the pretenses of normal social rites conflicting with those of their prior conventions. There are degrees to introversion and extroversion of course, but what of those who should find a calling in dental medicine while also withstanding the berating voices that linger to their minds—asking constantly “why would you seek such a path that shields one true self in place of a blemishing facade which will surely corrode your soul?” I may just be too involved with these thoughts honestly.

Haha I read this and all that came to mind was “what”

 

[macsak]

What happened to the “Type-A” personality generalization that many dental students believe most of their classmates fit under? I imagine it would be quite painstaking to endure those peers in dental school who would rather hang out with a block of cheese than spend time with someone they don’t naturally resonate with. Some don’t seem interested in the pretenses of normal social rites conflicting with those of their prior conventions. There are degrees to introversion and extroversion of course, but what of those who should find a calling in dental medicine while also withstanding the berating voices that linger to their minds—asking constantly “why would you seek such a path that shields one true self in place of a blemishing facade which will surely corrode your soul?” I may just be too involved with these thoughts honestly.

think about it
what kinds of people does the profession of dentistry attract?
scientific/engineering types
and then combine that with the difficulty of requirements (grades/dat/shadowing/volunteering/research) to get in
and what does that mean the majority of people that get into d school are?
NERDS...

 

[MLC45]

Several of us took the Hogwarts personality test and the vast majority were Slytherin. That might say something about dentists too.

 

[HabituallyPlacid]

Haha I read this and all that came to mind was “what”

Yeah.....that’s probably the right response.

 

[HabituallyPlacid]

NERDS...

Who are you insinuating as a NERD😵.....nerd.

 

[HabituallyPlacid]

Several of us took the Hogwarts personality test and the vast majority were Slytherin. That might say something about dentists too.

Where do we Hufflepuffs fit into the dental landscape?

 

[macsak]

Who are you insinuating as a NERD😵.....nerd.

i'm a huge nerd and introvert
everyone THINKS i'm an extrovert...

 

[LaughingGas]

This is exactly what’s wrong nowdays. Over analyzing everything and every little useless thing has to have an explanation. This is what some dental faculties do and create courses to waste time teaching something instead of teaching how to be successful dentist.

 

[HabituallyPlacid]

i'm a huge nerd and introvert
everyone THINKS i'm an extrovert...

An optimal disposition.

 

[HabituallyPlacid]

This is exactly what’s wrong nowdays. Over analyzing everything and every little useless thing has to have an explanation. This is what some dental faculties do and create courses to waste time teaching something instead of teaching how to be successful dentist.

So no one needs worry about their personality potentially inhibiting their future navigation through dental school or building rapport among clientele?

 

[macsak]

So no one needs worry about their personality potentially inhibiting their future navigation through dental school or building rapport among clientele?

trust the process...

 

[macsak]

An optimal disposition.

it can be draining to some...

 

[LaughingGas]

So no one needs worry about their personality potentially inhibiting their future navigation through dental school or building rapport among clientele?

If you are concerned your personality will inhibit successfully finishing dental school or become successful owner, maybe you should find something else as a career

 

[HabituallyPlacid]

If you are concerned your personality will inhibit successfully finishing dental school or become successful owner, maybe you should find something else as a career

Perhaps a jazz flutist—though, I would need to work on my breath control in order to refine that signature ‘twang’.

 

[2thDoc11]

Have anyone’s perceptions of what it took to get into med/dent school and become a doc changed since before or starting undergrad? I used to think you had to be crazy smart/bookworm but that’s not really the case anymore.. perhaps it’s because I’m here and I don’t really view myself that way but I’ve also seen a lot of others make it and I don’t think they are particularly above an average, ”typical“ student

 

[MLC45]

Personally, I would say "Connections" play the biggest part. There are people that deserve to be in school that aren't, and others that only got in because of who their parents are. Most schools say that things have changed and it doesn't work that way anymore, but it's simply not true.

 

[HabituallyPlacid]

Have anyone’s perceptions of what it took to get into med/dent school and become a doc changed since before or starting undergrad? I used to think you had to be crazy smart/bookworm but that’s not really the case anymore.. perhaps it’s because I’m here and I don’t really view myself that way but I’ve also seen a lot of others make it and I don’t think they are particularly above an average, ”typical“ student

I used to think that dentists and physicians were all part of the upper echelon or the ‘cream of the crop’ as undergraduate and professional students, but I think that’s not how most of them would describe themselves either. To an extent, these people are definitely capable of hitting the books hard—yet many also party just as hard (if not harder) given the opportunity. In the long run, you don’t have to completely confide in your studies to be a productive clinician. ‘Average’ in professional school is still pretty high standard-wise for most students enrolled in other academic programs.

 

[2thDoc11]

I used to think that dentists and physicians were all part of the upper echelon or the ‘cream of the crop’ as undergraduate and professional students, but I think that’s not how most of them would describe themselves either. To an extent, these people are definitely capable of hitting the books hard—yet many also party just as hard (if not harder) given the opportunity. In the long run, you don’t have to completely confide in your studies to be a productive clinician. ‘Average’ in professional school is still pretty high standard-wise for most students enrolled in other academic programs.

I think you hit the nail on the head

 

[Saddleshoes]

Introversion isn’t a presumptuous hinderance to skill-level or ability, but may be reasonably regarded as a disadvantage to the “universally-desirable” qualities observed to be comparatively profound in those of extroversion. Knowing this, a case could be made for the consequences of introversion or the rights of advice from those who would beguile themselves in opposition to such perceived consequences. What would you remark?

The Myers–Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) label of introvert (I) does not mean social recluse or socially inept. It is more a matter of your social preference.

The dentist "I's" that I know are all have better than average people skills and do work very well with people. However they would prefer to work alone.
Just because you tend to be an introvert by nature does not mean that you cannot learn extrovert skills and function as an extrovert.

For dentistry, the big difference between introverts and extroverts is this...
After a long day at the office working with all kinds of people the introvert comes home mentally exhausted, the extrovert comes home and wants to party.

 

[LaughingGas]

The Myers–Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) label of introvert (I) does not mean social recluse or socially inept. It is more a matter of your social preference.

The dentist "I's" that I know are all have better than average people skills and do work very well with people. However they would prefer to work alone.
Just because you tend to be an introvert by nature does not mean that you cannot learn extrovert skills and function as an extrovert.

For dentistry, the big difference between introverts and extroverts is this...
After a long day at the office working with all kinds of people the introvert comes home mentally exhausted, the extrovert comes home and wants to party.

1000% the last sentence.

 

[TanMan]

What happened to the INTJs in the study?

 

[HabituallyPlacid]

What happened to the INTJs in the study?

None of the 243 specialists they sampled had that personality type.

 

[TanMan]

None of the 243 specialists they sampled had that personality type.

Very weird. I figure there's an INTJ there somewhere, lol.

 

[TanMan]

None of the 243 specialists they sampled had that personality type.

I read more into the ISTJ personality type and that describes a lot of my colleagues. No wonder I don't get along with them too much, haha. I'm sure that this classification system is an oversimplification of people's attitudes, but it does describe a good number of them. Now, this does give some insight why a lot of my colleagues do not follow the route that I took. Very interesting overall.

 

[HatInTheCat]

I assume personality can only get you but so far in dentistry and in any role. Patients must feel secure with you and your abilities!

Bottom like: patients will need to like you, but can they trust you and feel like you’re going to take good care of them? Assurance is a personality trait I believe patients seek in their doctors.

You don’t have to be the life of the party to be a great dentist, because that’s not what most patients seek in a provider. Patients want someone who will communicate very technical and complex things to them in a way they’ll understand. They also want someone who they can afford to see long term. Relationships take time to build. And honestly, you’re not going to build that rapport in one session.

 

[HabituallyPlacid]

I read more into the ISTJ personality type and that describes a lot of my colleagues. No wonder I don't get along with them too much, haha. I'm sure that this classification system is an oversimplification of people's attitudes, but it does describe a good number of them. Now, this does give some insight why a lot of my colleagues do not follow the route that I took. Very interesting overall.

What’s your type, INTJ? I have similar feelings about some of my fellow organization peers. I definitely agree MBTI is sort of a polished simplification of the intricacies that go into making up our personalities—but some qualities do fit certain people to a tee.

 

[TanMan]

What’s your type, INTJ? I have similar feelings about some of my fellow organization peers. I definitely agree MBTI is sort of a polished simplification of the intricacies that go into making up our personalities—but some qualities do fit certain people to a tee.

Yep, INTJ all the way, lol.