What is a mentor program?

A mentor program forms relationships between students and members of the practicing profession.  It provides an avenue for students to take when looking for additional information, to bounce ideas off of or to get another opinion.

Goal of the mentor program

“It’s about offering guidance, but there’s obviously more to it than that.  Dental students need to know that there are dentists out there willing to lend a hand and show them what the workplace is really like.”  Dr. Gene Shoemaker (Waukesha), mentor

The mentor program enables dental students and new dentists to obtain counsel and guidance with some of the concerns involved in beginning a dental career.  The Mentor Program is geared towards integrating the dentists of tomorrow with the dental community.

How does the program work?

A practicing dentist is initially paired with a freshman and a junior dental student thus forming not only a potential mentor/protégé relationship with each student but also a big brother/big sister relationship between the two students. Each participant in the program is asked to commit for two years.  The program year is kicked off with an Annual Dinner where new mentors and protégés meet for the first time and are welcomed into the program by existing participants. From there, the mentors and protégés define where they want the relationship to go.  Several organized social opportunities will be offered throughout the year.

What is a mentor?

“A mentor is someone with a memory. Someone who can recall what it was like when he or she was in the student’s shoes. The dental school must provide the academia but it is the mentor who must provide the spirit and the camaraderie of our profession. This can only be accomplished through encouragement and guidance during their education and then welcoming them into our profession.”  Dr. Dan Breitweiser, mentor

A mentor is a practicing dentist, who is a member of organized dentistry, that is willing to be an additional resource to the dentists of tomorrow.

A mentor is:

• A wise and trusted friend.
• A good listener; someone who cares.
• Someone who helps another develop his or her own vision and work to their fullest potential.
• Someone who has been there.
• Someone to serve as a resource of information. 

A mentor's responsibilities

• Initiate first contact then communicate frequently.
• Express your expectations for the relationship – define what you hope to gain from and offer to the relationship.
• rovide an opportunity for the protégé to see first hand the inner workings of a dental office.
• Share what it means to be a professional and a member of the dental community.
• Invite protégé to participate in professional activities with you (component meetings, continuing education, meetings with dental suppliers).

What is a protégé?

A dental student who is interested in enhancing their dental education by forming a relationship with a practicing member of the dental profession.

A protégé has:

• An open mind.
• A willingness to learn.
• A commitment to their future.
• A willingness to be an active participant.

Responsibilities of the protégé:

• Communicate frequently and openly.
• Honor appointments or commitments.
• Express your expectations for the relationship – define what you hope to gain from and offer to the relationship.
• Provide feedback to your mentor.
• Share your thoughts about school, the profession and entering practice – seek their opinion.

What can a mentor do for the protégé?

“He was a great sounding board for advice about buying my practice, and he helped validate my plans and the direction in which I was going professionally.”  Dr. Alex Pijpaert, 1997 graduate and protégé 

A mentor is a good resource for helping you:

• Explore career possibilities.
• Network with colleagues.
• Meet members of the dental community (suppliers, lab technicians).
• Understand the consequences of debt.
• Stay motivated and focused on your goals.
• Work through problem solving.
• Understand the board process.

What are the benefits of being a mentor?

“Hindsight is 20/20. Being a mentor allows me to share the knowledge and wisdom that I’ve gained from having gone thru the dental training experience with those that are currently there.  I’ve been fortunate in my career to have great friends and mentors who have shared with me. I’m just glad I can give back to the next generation of our profession.” Dr. Mary Karkow, mentor

• Network with colleagues.
• Work through problem solving – get a new perspective.
• Allow you to share your expertise.
• Screen potential associates, partners or someone to take over your practice.
• Aid in the development of dentistry’s future professionals.
• Give back to the profession.
• Stay apprised of changes in dental education.

Relationship reminders

Although many of these things have already been discussed, there are basics to every mentor/protégé relationship that should be kept in mind.  They are:

• Be willing and eager to talk, be willing and eager to listen.
• Be honest.
• Psyche yourself “up” for the discussion.  When you practice acting enthusiastic and positive, you actually begin to feel good.
• Greet the mentor/protégé by name.
• Feel free to share your opinion but guard against telling someone what to do or not to do.
• Remember to thank the mentor for their time and attention.
• Don’t be too nervous about pauses in the conversation.  They are natural.  It is okay to say, “May I have a moment to think about that” or “I don’t know, let me look into it some more”.
• Try to hold up your end of the conversation.
• Enjoy yourself and have fun.  Your time and effort can make a real difference in the personal and professional growth of the protégé.  You too will benefit from the satisfaction of sharing your interest in the profession.

What if the relationship doesn't work?

If you’ve given it your best shot and tried communicating with each other, contact the program coordinator at the dental school or at the WDA office.  They can offer suggestions on ways to try improving the situation or if you feel that you and your assigned mentor/protégé are not well matched a new pairing may be made. Please don’t be discouraged or give up on the program.  Not all matches are meant to be.  New assignments may be made throughout the year.

A year’s worth of mentoring:  A bi-weekly guide

“Mentoring is a great way to get students involved, to learn what it’s really like out there.  Dental students – especially graduating dental students – can come out to visit the practicing dentist, spend the day at the office, see what takes place on a daily basis.”  Dr. Gene Shoemaker, mentor

1. Attend the Annual Kick-Off Dinner.
2. Discuss your mentoring goals.
3. Talk about what it takes to get ahead.
4. Attend M.U. table clinics together.
5. Explore the Exhibit Hall at Annual Session.
6. Talk about living within one’s means and what it means to the future.
7. Attend a sporting event.
8. Talk about personal values and ethics.
9. Take a tour of the mentor’s dental practice.
10. Talk about planning a career, writing a résumé, finding a job.
11. Do a practice interview.
12. Have dinner.
13. Get together with colleagues.
14. Sit in on a C.E. class together.
15. Talk about networking.
16. Participate in mentor program activities.
17. Talk about insurance.
18. Talk about balancing school/work/family and life.
19. Talk about balancing a budget, explore financing options.
20. Talk about credit cards and school debt.
21. Talk about the future.
22. Talk about staffing and working as a team.
23. Attend the Dental School Picnic together.
24. Take a tour of the dental school.
25. Meet with a dental supplier.
26. Take your families to the zoo.

Excerpts taken from:

Mentor Program: Professional Unity…Now More Than Ever; ADA Commission on the Young Professional
The Mentor Program: Giving Back to the Profession of Dentistry To Preserve It’s Future; Ohio Dental Association
National Mentoring Partnership Web site: http://www.mentoring.org

Prepared by the Mentor Advisory Group:  Dr. Gene Shoemaker, Dr. Daniel Breitweiser, Ms. Linda Gleason, Dr. John Moser and Ms. Lani Becker