Strategies for Dentist Burnout, Client Care, and Nervous System Resilience

Course Objectives

1. Recognize the Signs and Science of Burnout in Dentistry
   Learners will identify physiological, emotional, and behavioral symptoms of burnout and overwhelm, and understand their roots in nervous system survival responses.
   
   
2. Understand the Nervous System’s Role in Emotional Regulation
   Learners will gain foundational knowledge of the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems, including how fight, flight, freeze, and fawn responses manifest in dental professionals.
   
   
3. Differentiate Between Cognitive Problem-Solving and Somatic Awareness
   Learners will explore the limits of “thinking through” stress and discover the importance of reconnecting with physical sensations and emotions for true regulation.
   
   
4. Implement Daily Practices for Somatic Self-Awareness
   Learners will use a three-times-daily check-in exercise to track sensations, emotions, and activities, building fluency in their nervous system’s “language.”
   
   
5. Build a Flexible and Resilient Nervous System
   Learners will shift from reactive survival states to states of safety, calm, and leadership agility by practicing micro-moments of awareness and recovery.
   
   
6. Identify the Impact of Childhood Conditioning on Leadership Patterns
   Learners will reflect on how high-achieving behaviors, perfectionism, or people-pleasing may be linked to early survival strategies, and how to rewire them for sustainable leadership.
   
   
7. Navigate Emotional Exhaustion and Mental Shutdown
   Learners will recognize the signs of internal shutdown in themselves and their teams, and use non-judgmental curiosity to support recovery and reconnection.
   
   
8. Explore Accessible Entry Points to Somatic Support
   Learners will be introduced to levels of support—including books, exercises, and somatic therapy directories—to find what fits their time, readiness, and goals.
   
   
9. Apply Emotional Intelligence in Patient Care
   Learners will adopt strategies to increase patient comfort in the dental chair by asking simple, safety-oriented questions and recognizing patient nervous system cues.
   
   
10. Lead With Curiosity and Compassion—Not Perfection
    Learners will replace shame and pressure with curiosity as their first step toward healing, supporting both personal growth and healthier team dynamics.