One of the most effective methods I've found is repeating a pretty powerful incantation in my mind at the end of every treatment plan, particularly my first few in clinic and out of school. I'll lay out my treatment plan, present it to the patient, get their approval, dismiss my patient, go back to my office, shut the door, and with undistracted mental clarity repeat "oh****ishoulda..." at least once, sometimes several times. For example:
Me: Alright Mr. Jones, things look pretty good, but there's a really deep cavity under the big filling on this one tooth. I think it needs a crown to stand a chance of holding up.
Poor innocent Mr. Jones: Sounds good Doc, you sure are swell and I trust you.
Me: Glad to be of service Mr. Jones! I am a fully credentialed healthcare provider after all! *walks back to office* Oh****ishoulda planned a premolar endo on this inevitable perf job.
Me on phone: Hey Mr. Jones, yeah we're gonna need to tack on about an extra thousand to that treatment plan...
It's nearly guaranteed to work by the time your next Tx Plan is staring at you like a baby bird in the dental chair with their mouth wide open and nothing but trust in their eyes.
The short answer is that you, as a conscientious practitioner, which I know you are since you took the time to ask this very genuine, humble, and honest question, will learn more, and at a quicker rate and more profound level of understanding, from your mistakes than anything else you've ever been taught.
Embrace that poopy silver lining.
Check out some other forums related to dentistry. If you like to lurk there is a great forum with lots of daily cases and open discussion from lots of salty old dentists on how to work them up and what to watch out for. PM me and I'll send you the link if you want. Final word of advice for what it's worth; be brave in school. Come up with courageous Tx plans, let them get shot down and ask why. School is a fantastic environment once you stop being scared of it, and is a real opportunity to get those things that are embarrassing but happen to everyone out of the way without any real ramifications. Take advantage of it. Good luck!
