I woke up at 2:00 am last night and, for some reason, found myself thinking about a dental office I worked at many years ago in Bronte, Ontario.

As I lay there thinking about the people, the office and so many wonderful memories, I thought, perhaps this is what I'll write about tomorrow.

So, here we are. :)

When we first moved back to Ontario after living in British Columbia, I remember driving through Bronte and passing a dental office located in a beautiful century home. There was a big sign out front with a smile on it, and I remember saying out loud to Paul:

"I'm going to work there."

I had no idea if they were hiring. I didn't know anyone who worked there. There was just something about it.

Once we were settled, I decided it was time to look for work. So, I opened the Yellow Pages.

Remember those? For those of you who don't know what I'm talking about, that was how we found businesses before Google! :)

There were many dental office ads on the page, but one caught my attention. There was a picture of a dentist smiling, and for whatever reason, I decided that was the office I was going to call.

I asked if they happened to be hiring a dental hygienist.

They were.

The office manager invited me to come by that afternoon.

And when I drove to the address, I couldn't believe it.

It was the century home.

The very office I had driven past when we moved to Bronte and announced to Paul that I was going to work there.

And I did—for 10 years.

I have such fond memories of my time there.

I wasn't someone who simply arrived, saw my patients and went home. I felt like I was part of the practice.

I remember organizing community events to help bring awareness to the office. I would invite dental reps in over lunch to show us new products and technologies. I was always looking for ways we could improve, grow and offer something better to our patients.

I was invested in the success of the practice because I felt like I was part of it.

And I felt that same investment from them.

When I eventually started trying to step away from clinical practice to focus on growing my own business, they would still call me when they needed help.

Over the years, our family grew to three young children, and sometimes when the office called, I would say, "I have the kids."

Their response?

"Bring them!"

I can still picture Gillian in her little swing at the reception desk. If I had to bring the boys, I would set them up in the loft with their pillows and blankets, colouring books and video games while I helped out.

Could we do that today?

Definitely not! :)

IPAC, aerosols and our understanding of safety in the dental environment have certainly changed since then.

But those were special times, and I wouldn't trade those memories for anything.

Eventually, I actually put my registration on inactive status for a few years because I knew that whenever this office—or another favourite office of mine in Brampton—called, I would always say yes.

Thinking about all of this last night made me reflect on something I hear quite often today.

There are many dental hygienists who aren't happy in their workplace.

Sometimes it's compensation. Sometimes it's the schedule or workload. Sometimes it's feeling unappreciated, unheard or disconnected from the rest of the team.

Yes, our profession has changed.

Our workplaces have changed.

But people are still people.

There are still incredible practice owners and teams who value their people.

There are still dental hygienists who care deeply about the success of the practice they work in.

There are still workplaces where people support each other, laugh together, grow together and genuinely want the best for one another.

Looking back, I realize I gave a lot to that practice. I often did extra things because I wanted to. I cared about the practice and wanted to see it succeed.

I don't remember ever keeping score.

To me, it felt like our practice.

And in return, I had something incredibly valuable.

I had security. I had flexibility. I had people who valued me, and I valued them. I had a workplace where I felt like I belonged.

It was a different time, and I'm certainly not suggesting that anyone shouldn't be appropriately valued and compensated for the work they do.

But I do think there's something worth remembering from those days.

The best workplaces aren't built on transactions alone. They're built on relationships.

When people feel valued, they become invested.

When they feel heard, they contribute.

When they feel like they belong, they care about what happens beyond their own operatory.

So perhaps this week's On Track Tuesday is simply an invitation to ask yourself:

Are you in a workplace that warms your heart?

Do you feel valued?

Do you value the people around you?

Do you feel like you're contributing to something you're proud to be part of?

And if the answer is no, perhaps it's worth asking what could change.

Sometimes that means helping to create the culture you want to be part of.

And sometimes it means recognizing that you may simply need to find the right place.

Because while our profession has changed tremendously since the days of the Yellow Pages and babies in swings at reception, one thing hasn't changed:

There are good people out there.

You just need to find your people.

Have a wonderful week!

Warmly,

Kathleen

Kathleen Bokrossy, RDH, BSc ~ President, rdhu