How I rediscovered joy in my dental career

Tearing up the traditional rulebook, Andrea Ogden is inspiring dentists to craft careers that align with their passion, purpose – and personal wellbeing.

Andrea Ogden’s Instagram posts seek to stop dentists in their tracks and inspire them to realign their career aspirations. Her insights may challenge conventional thinking, yet her advice can be a wake-up call for those sleepwalking through their careers.

Andrea is a dentist with much to share. Rather than following the typical path to practice ownership, she now coaches dentists at all stages of their careers. A powerhouse of positivity, her goal is clear: to uplift and inspire her colleagues to find as much joy in dentistry as she does.

Instagram messages like ‘Who you surround yourself with matters. Your network doesn’t just shape your career; it impacts your wellbeing, productivity and even patient care’ and ‘Resilience isn’t about enduring stress – it’s about knowing how to navigate it and build a working life where your cortisol levels are under control’ are drawn from a deep well of personal experience. 

She’s also driven by a desire to equip early-career dentists with the invaluable knowledge she lacked on qualifying. In a heartfelt letter to her former student self, she writes: ‘Appreciate the journey; soak it all in, as it goes by so fast.’ This moment of self-reflection also serves as sage advice for her target audience. 

Andrea discovered her natural affinity with teaching early on in her career. She is now the BDA’s first-ever undergraduate and career development lead and recently launched her one-on-one career coaching programme with a view to ‘aligning dental careers, empowering success’. 

But like many of her peers, she too was destined for practice ownership. Only a series of events opened her eyes to where her heart truly lay, helping her arrive at a place that feels more personally aligned and fulfilling.

A flexible plan

Her journey was far from straightforward; trial and error seemed to shape her route to what she was destined to become. Crucially, however, it taught her that having a career plan, even a flexible one, is essential as a dentist. 

Without a family background in medicine or dentistry, Andrea initially studied human biology at King’s College London. After graduating with a dental degree from Guy’s, King’s and St Thomas’ in 2008, she had to chart her career path independently. 

At the time, her primary objective was to qualify, motivated, she says, by a profound fear of failure. With limited insight into career opportunities beyond the conventional path of working in general practice, like many, she considered practice ownership the Holy Grail. However, entering the workforce as an associate – approachable and knowledgeable – she quickly became a go-to mentor for trainees. She recalls: ‘I got a kick out of helping,’ and enjoyed being a ‘small part of their journey’. 

The experience of aiding someone in need and feeling like she had ‘saved the day’ provided an ego boost she was mindful to rein in. More importantly, the experience prompted her to reflect on where her strengths lie, later undertaking a PGCert in dental education to then become an educational supervisor.

A new direction

Motherhood brought about another pivotal moment. After the birth of her first daughter, Andrea began to question her career choices. The weight of financial responsibility in running a practice and all the associated duties created a ‘eureka’ moment, ultimately leading her to withdraw from purchasing a business. 

She applied for multiple roles to maintain her income and work-life balance. This marked the beginning of a broader career shift.

Discovering her natural talent for coaching had already ignited a passion. When an opportunity arose to become a training programme director, Andrea seized it, and her enjoyment of teaching and mentoring flourished as she managed 12 foundation trainees while working part-time with Health Education England (HEE). 

For five years, she balanced this role alongside clinical practice until a departmental restructure prompted her transition to a position with the British Dental Association (BDA). 

Drawing from her own experience with limited career guidance, she became instrumental in developing structured support systems for dentists navigating their professional journeys.

Her current role with the BDA allows her to reach a much wider audience, helping them navigate the challenges confronting every newly qualified person. She balances this with her clinical practice – two very different and dynamic roles, she notes.

One of her most significant contributions is the creation of BDA’s Career Hub. ‘It’s my baby,’ she laughs. This resource provides clear career pathways with minimal barriers and is marketed as an ‘ultimate guide to a successful dental career’.

Initially focused on clinical and non-clinical roles that involve part-time clinical practice, Andrea envisions expanding the platform to assist those seeking opportunities abroad or engaged in teaching and various niche areas. 

Make it personal

With her tailored one-to-one coaching programme, her key advice is simple yet powerful: make career decisions based on what truly aligns with personal goals rather than external expectations. Dentists must ‘take control of their career’, she says. ‘They’ve worked hard, often throwing themselves into postgrad courses but then find stress levels are soaring and their enjoyment falling. Next, they’re questioning life decisions, and feel uncertain about the next steps.’ This is Andrea’s area of expertise.

‘The first thing to understand is that the experiences of others are not yours. This involves stepping into their shoes and, from a coaching model, allowing them to pursue their own path. The dental school experience is quite different now, and understanding other perspectives matters.’

Recognising that work is a significant part of life is imperative, she says. ‘We all get one lap around the track. After investing time, money, and intellect to reach your current position, you owe it to yourself to live authentically, and a key aspect of that is understanding your “why” – why did you enter dentistry in the first place? 

‘Social proof bias, particularly in uncertain environments, can lead you to follow the actions and opinions of others because it seems like the best option when everyone else is doing it. But your journey in dentistry is unique. It’s not about following a set path but seizing every moment to learn and grow.’

Given her own winding career journey, would she advocate for a structured plan, or does she believe true growth happens more organically?

‘To quote an oft-used phrase: “A goal without a plan is just a wish”,’ she says. ‘You don’t need to have your plan completely written out – just the first few steps clarified, including SMART-related goals. For example, if you want to reduce clinical hours, you must outline those initial steps – writing it down gives it power. And allow for obstacles, too. 

‘We have a peculiar relationship with failure – while it can be an invaluable learning opportunity, it can also feel tremendously unpleasant.’

Exploring authentic avenues

A portfolio career provides substantial benefits for dentists. What advice might she give practice owners considering a shift away from daily responsibilities to explore other opportunities? 

‘If you want to pursue something different, consider your skills, passions and interests, and focus on your professional network – it offers a wealth of opportunities. Whether it’s part of an exit strategy or to break up the week, be aware that change often comes with new stresses. 

‘Another role can add to the mix, but you must be able to dedicate time to it and avoid feeling overwhelmed; maintaining clear boundaries is essential to prevent one aspect leaking into the other. Identify the gaps, take action and tick any empty boxes – whether in your job, practice, public speaking or teaching or whatever.’

The key, she maintains, is having a clear plan.

Because of her diverse experiences, she has encountered many dentists grappling with their role in the profession. Instead of advocating resilience, she recommends uncovering the source of that disillusionment.

‘The vast majority of dentists I have met through my coaching have been in the field for four to seven years. Initially, they believe that where they are is their only option. Before reflecting on their experiences, they may not fully recognise the sources of their stress. However, once they do, they gain clarity, take control of their schedules and can introduce variety into their career. Empowering individuals in this way is hugely rewarding. It’s a privilege when people have that “aha!” moment.’

She often discusses ‘forging an authentic path’. She strongly opposes acquiring skills based solely on trends, the ‘big ticket’ value of treatments, or purely for financial gain, emphasising that Tiktok and Instagram are ‘just a small part of what dentists do.’ 

Aspirational posts can undoubtedly have both negative and positive impacts. But what wisdom can she offer those who may sometimes feel overwhelmed by the apparent ‘success’ of their peers? 

‘Cosmetic dentistry is aesthetically appealing and highly engaging on social media, making it a powerful tool for marketing high-value treatments. However, understanding the purpose behind these social media posts is essential. Are they meant to educate colleagues, build influence, or attract patients? Some treatments, like a perfectly executed root canal, lack visual appeal and will not garner attention. In contrast, aesthetics-driven procedures such as composite bonding, veneers or complete smile makeovers tend to dominate. 

‘Context shapes perception, and recognising this is key to making an informed assessment.

‘We also need to understand our own personal values. This might manifest as finding a better balance between family and career or pursuing another area of dentistry altogether. It is about dismantling a problem, not simply enduring it. If there is a conflict with our values, we must change the environment.’

A winning formula

Psychologist Adam Grant identifies three core types of motivation: 

1. Extrinsic
2. Intrinsic
3. Prosocial. 

For Andrea, this translates to dentists, who are often driven by recognition or financial rewards, satisfaction from mastering clinical skills and fulfilment from making a difference to patients’ lives. 

‘While we all have a primary motivation, true career fulfilment occurs when all three are balanced. If something feels amiss, take a step back and reflect: what genuinely drives you? Aligning your work with your motivation is essential for building a joyful, sustainable career,’ she says.

‘The world is changing, and we need to keep up,’ she adds. ‘Dentistry offers us flexibility and the opportunity to choose – whether that is the hours we work, the paths we pursue or the postgrad education we embark upon. Being able to live authentically is a privilege. 

‘If you have worked this hard and been given opportunities, don’t squander them. By fulfilling your purpose and by understanding your “why”, your career can be sustainable, more motivated, less stressed and fundamentally, you will deliver better patient care. If all this aligns, then you are winning.’

Email Andrea at [email protected].

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