{Issue 4} Dentists Need a Meal Train
My mother is a dentist, my brother is a dentist, my sister-in-law is a dentist, and my aunt is a dentist—you get the drift. Me? I’m the black sheep. I spent my life avoiding dentistry, so you can imagine the irony when my first architecture project as a firm owner was—a dental practice.
I didn’t want the job, but when I saw the interior layouts builders were showing my family, I just couldn’t let them go through with it. The world didn’t need another dreary dental office. So, I designed their office. And in doing so, I realized something surprising: dentists are a lot like me—a new mom.
Let me explain.
Dentists Do the Dirty (But Good) Work: Like moms, dentists do the unglamorous, often unappreciated tasks. People dread going to the dentist, but with a smile on their face, they welcome their kids—err, I mean patients—and rock them until they stop screaming. You get what I mean.
They Obsess Over Control and Perfection: Just like moms fret over feeding schedules and sleep training, dentists zoom in on the smallest details. Except, while our focus is on a 6lb 7oz baby, theirs is on a tooth.
They Need a Meal Train: Many dentists juggle everything—staff, patients, schedules, and regulations. Meals? If they’re lucky, toast. No one’s whipping up spaghetti bolognese on a Tuesday night if they’re a dentist.
They Hide Their Stress Well: You see a smile, but inside they’re replaying the day’s mistakes and wondering when they can finally take a breath, a long shower, and doom-scroll in their pjs.
The Schedule Is Everything: Like moms, schedules dictate their day, stress levels, and sleep. When things go wrong, they adjust all the tiny parts in real time to keep things running smoothly.
Dentists Don’t Always Get Paid: Moms? We never do. Dentists? They barely break even on routine cleanings. It’s a thankless job at times.
Just like moms, dentists need a space to recharge—a place to slow down and fall back in love with their work. And it doesn’t hurt when their patients walk in and say, “Wow, this is such a nice space.” That’s one step closer to disarming their fear and making everyone feel a little better.
So, to my long line of dental ancestors: I get it now. And helping you? That’s something I can get behind.
Book a discovery call at www.poiema-a.com.
Your Architect (and accidental dental advocate),
Lina Boeller
