CATEGORY 84 AUSTRALASIAN DENTIST COLUMNISTS Change is a small word that carries a surprising amount of weight, particularly in the dental industry. We talk often about improvement, efficiency, compliance, and patient experience, yet when genuine change is introduced – especially by an external observer – resistance can surface almost immediately. This is not because dental professionals are unwilling to grow. On the contrary, dentistry attracts highly capable, adaptable people. However, like all humans, we are creatures of habit. Familiar systems feel safe, even when they are inefficient, stressful, or outdated. This reality struck me unexpectedly one morning at Sydney Airport. A lesson from the Virgin Lounge After navigating the usual early-morning rush, I entered the Virgin Lounge to find it packed. The downstairs area was crowded, noisy, and tense. People were queuing for ten minutes just to get a coffee, struggling to find seats, and clearly feeling the pressure of travel. What intrigued me was that the lounge had recently expanded. There was a brand-new upstairs section – open, available, and accessible to everyone already inside the lounge. Yet almost no one had ventured up. Hundreds of people remained downstairs, crowded together, following routine rather than curiosity. Something made me pause and think, Why is no one going upstairs? So I did. Upstairs was calm, spacious, and bright. There were plenty of seats, no coffee queue, and a stunning view across the ocean and the runway – planes arriving and departing against the morning light. The barista had time to chat. The atmosphere was unhurried and relaxed. The contrast was striking. And immediately, I thought of dentistry. Dentistry and our resistance to change In dental practices across Australia, I see this same pattern play out daily. Clinics often operate in ways that feel familiar, even when those systems create unnecessary stress, inefficiency, or risk. When an external consultant, educator, Leaning into change: Viewing dentistry from a higher floor By Rochelle Fisher, Dental Assisting & Beyond or trainer comes in to observe workflows – whether it be in infection control, surgical assisting, ergonomics, or communication – resistance can arise quickly. Comments such as: u “We’ve always done it this way.” u “That won’t work here.” u “We don’t have time to change.” u “Our system already works fine.” These responses rarely come from arrogance. They come from uncertainty. Change forces us to confront uncomfortable questions: u What if I’ve been doing this inefficiently? u What if the new way feels unfamiliar or challenging? u What if this exposes gaps I didn’t realise were there? In many ways, the crowded downstairs lounge represents the dental teams who stay with what they know – busy, reactive, stretched, yet hesitant to explore alternatives that may actually make their working day easier. Who moved my cheese? – a dental industry mirror The message reminded me strongly of the book Who Moved My Cheese? – a simple yet powerful story about how individuals respond to change. Some characters adapt quickly, understanding that change is inevitable and that progress requires movement. Others resist, waiting for things to return to how they were, even when it is clear they never will. Dentistry, as an industry, is constantly evolving: u Infection control standards tighten u Technology advances rapidly u Patient expectations increase u Staffing challenges require new thinking u Burnout forces conversations around ergonomics and wellbeing u Compliance moves from “best practice” to mandatory regulation Yet many clinics still operate as though nothing has changed. The reality is that the “cheese” has already moved. The higher viewpoint What struck me most in the upstairs lounge was not just the comfort – it was the clarity. From a higher vantage point, everything looked calmer, more organised, and more manageable. This is exactly what meaningful change can offer dental teams. When clinics embrace improved workflows, better communication, proper fourhanded dentistry, ergonomic principles, and structured infection control systems, the results are tangible: u smoother clinical days u reduced stress u fewer errors u improved compliance u stronger teamwork u better patient experiences u improved staff retention Change does not add complexity – it often removes it. But only for those willing to step into it. Observation is not criticism One of the greatest barriers to change in dentistry is the fear that observation equals criticism. In reality, observation is an opportunity – a chance to step outside daily habits and view the practice from a higher floor. The most successful clinics I work with are not the ones that are “perfect.” They are the ones that are curious. They ask questions. They trial new systems. They allow external perspectives. They understand that improvement is a process, not a judgement. Just like walking upstairs in the lounge, no announcement is required. No permission is needed. Change begins with a single step. So, what floor are you on? Are you operating on the crowded, familiar floor – busy, reactive, stretched, and resistant to disruption? Or are you willing to step upstairs – to create space, clarity, and a better working environment for both staff and patients? The most powerful changes in dentistry do not require radical reinvention. They require curiosity, openness, and a willingness to see things from a new perspective. Because sometimes, the best view – and the best way forward – is waiting just one level above where you have always stood. u Rochelle Fisher
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