Monday, August 8, 2016

BELIEVE IT OR NOT---THERE IS LIFE AFTER DENTAL PRACTICE

During my years of working closely with hundreds of dentists, I’ve heard every emotion expressed about life after one lays down the instruments and strips off the gloves for the last time.  Some of the commentators were well past retirement age---they’d stayed at the chair out of love for the profession and their patients or, perhaps, out of a slight fear of boredom. Others I’ve known are eager to retire from private practice early to teach in dental schools, to do mission work, to enter an entirely new career field. Still others are forced out of practice by health crises, accidents, financial instability, or such.

I’ve known a dentist who started a small appliance and lamp repair business, and one who started a business doing minor home repairs and installations of appliances, shutters, fans, etc. Yet another dentist partnered with a hand-made furniture artisan, and the pieces they created were so in demand they couldn’t meet all orders.  One fairly young retiree invested in franchises of hand-made pretzels sold in mall kiosks and store-front cubbyholes near college campuses or in downtown sites---last I heard he was having fun and making more money than he had in dental practice.  Another opened a gift shop-garden emporium with her best friend and loved the new career.  One became the captain of a charter fishing boat---talk about a relaxed lifestyle!  Another became a full time missionary for the Christian faith.  On and on---we see a huge variety of new opportunities enjoyed by dentists leaving daily practice for any number of reasons.

Before I tell you about one fantastic change of career made by a dentist/friend, let me assure you that if you’re considering your last days in dentistry, almost 100% of the dentists I’ve known who’ve moved on to another career are happy and satisfied with their decision or their forced choice.  They assure me that there is, indeed, life after dental practice.  

With his permission, let me tell you about the abrupt change of profession forced on Dr. Pitts Hinson who practiced pediatric dentistry in Columbia, Tennessee.  I’ll paraphrase some of Pitts’ words:
  • “Is your life like mine?  I have all the technology toys…smart phone, laptop, desktop, a variety of mobile devices.  Internet, Facebook, Instagram and all the online and social media jargon are part of my vocabulary.  I guess you would say, “I’m wired.”
  • I remember a time in my life when I was “burning the candle at both ends.” I was building my practice, active in civic clubs, present at every event in which my children were involved, attending continuing education courses, participating in professional activities nationwide. Yep, I was really “wired” then too.
  •  Without warning, my world crumbled.  A massive heart attack while on the ski slopes during attendance at a dental meeting said…”It’s time to stop, to slow down, to take a deep breath and not try to be all things to all people.  It’s time to take care of what really matters.” After the life-or-death-several-week crisis  passed, while discussing my “wired life”, a heart failure specialist looked at my family and me and said these words…”All of that ended last week!”  I realized God had blessed my life.”

Pitts turned this near-death experience into a new career, an exciting opportunity to enter the world of art.  The unspeakable crisis through which he and his family passed is now regarded by them as the path to understanding what really matters in life.  I believe they would name family, friends, faith, health, and charity among their greatest values.

Pitts spent months in recovery mode.  While in that more relaxed time, he tried creating pottery, took a few lessons, and realized he had a fantastic gift for the potter’s clay and wheel. Out of My Hands Pottery is the name of his now-several-year-old undertaking.  His home and his studio are in Franklin, Tennessee.  Pitts has garnered awards and acclaim from a nationwide fan base, art critics, art retailers, and consumers, people who cherish his art and display the magnificent pieces in their homes, offices, clubs, and showrooms.

He has added porcelain pieces to his line of pottery, with the latest porcelain undertakings entitled “wired.”  Each piece is actually adorned with wire, a symbol to remind the beholder to, in Dr. Hinson’s words, “Stop, take a deep breath, count your blessings, look around and see what really matters.”

For more information on his life-after-dentistry, highly acclaimed career and to learn about Pitts’ pottery and porcelain creations, contact him at pittshinson@gmail.com.

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