Hishaam Ahmad and Farhaan Lohn share how to combat imposter syndrome as a dental student and open up about their own experiences of it.
Imposter syndrome, something we dental students know all too well, is the persistent feeling that you’re not as capable as others perceive you to be, despite clear evidence of your skills and achievements which say otherwise.
To study dentistry, we all had to go through some form of application system where we were filtered through to create a cohort made up of the so called ‘best of the best’. So why do we feel this way? We’ve earned our way here, yet even the most competent and high-achieving individuals can feel like frauds.
It’s a common companion on the journey of progression and becoming a professional, which can keep us humbled as we move forward but may be a bit too self-critical. For us, as we struggle to juggle academic pressures, clinical competence and social expectations, imposter syndrome can be particularly defeating at times.
What does imposter syndrome look like?
As a dental student, imposter syndrome can manifest in several ways:
- Self-doubt in practical skills: you might find yourself constantly second-guessing your practical ability to perform procedures, even after receiving positive feedback. We often find ourselves thinking our successes might be purely by chance
- Comparing yourself to others: it’s easy to feel like everyone else has mastered their crown preps or is passing their exams with ease while you’re trailing behind
- Fear of asking for help: you may worry that asking a clinical tutor or peer for assistance clinically or academically will prove the lack of confidence going through your head
- Overworking to prove yourself: some students cope by overcompensating, putting in excessive hours in an attempt to keep up with their peers.
These feelings can create a vicious cycle of anxiety, undermining your capabilities and making it harder to perform at your best as we enter cycles of procrastination and burnout.
The impact on studies and wellbeing
Imposter syndrome can have a significant impact on both academic performance and mental health. Feelings of inadequacy can lead to procrastination or avoidance, where a fear of failure begins to manifest, causing you to do worse. Alternatively, it can also drive perfectionism, where no effort feels good enough, leading to burnout.
On a personal level, the emotional toll of constantly feeling ‘less than’ can erode self-esteem and diminish your enjoyment of the learning process. Confidence means everything in dental school, from talking to patients, to your clinical work, to writing essays.
It’s important to be confident in what we do and in a demanding field like dentistry, this additional burden can affect both your studies and overall wellbeing.
Our experience with imposter syndrome
Imposter syndrome is something both of us have experienced first-hand. One memorable moment was at an event surrounded by accomplished dentists – those with large social media followings, lecturers and dentists with years of experience. Comparing ourselves to them, we felt out of place, placing them on pedestals while inadvertently undervaluing our own abilities.
Initially, the gap in experience felt daunting, and we hesitated to approach anyone, worried we’d be dismissed. But once we started conversations, we quickly realised these individuals were approachable, supportive and relatable. By the end of the event, we had formed genuine connections, learning that the biggest barrier was not their success but our own perception of ourselves.
This experience taught us that confidence doesn’t come from being perfect but from recognising your value and taking that first step.
Managing imposter syndrome as a student
Overcoming imposter syndrome is not about eliminating self-doubt altogether – it’s about managing it effectively and reframing your mindset. Here are some strategies that have helped us and others:
1. Recognise and name it
The first step is acknowledging that you’re experiencing imposter syndrome. We have to remind ourselves that it’s a common feeling, especially among high-achieving individuals, and doesn’t reflect your actual abilities.
We’ve come from a varied background in school, to now a filtered cohort of extremely high achievers. It’s easy to fall into the trap but it’s important to catch it out.
2. Focus on your growth
Instead of comparing yourself to others, compare yourself to where you started. Dentistry is a challenging field, and every small step – whether it’s improving your technique or understanding a concept – counts as progress.
We all live completely different lives with completely differing views. We’re all on our own journeys and this may mean achieving things at different times. Some students are postgraduates, some students will get a publication by third year, some students will be getting thousands of followers on Instagram. But that isn’t success. Success is growth; to us it’s measured in good development from where we started to where we are now.
3. Seek feedback and trust it
When supervisors or peers offer positive feedback, take it in. Really listen and take the compliments. Resist the urge to downplay your achievements or attribute them to luck. Actively remind yourself that their assessment is more objective than your self-criticism.
4. Build a support network
Talking to your peers can be incredibly comforting, as many of them are likely experiencing similar feelings. Then again, this can be a double edged sword as it may create feelings of self-doubt if you’re not doing as much as them, and this is why we can’t express enough the importance of having a great social network; friends you can rely on to pick you up, show up and support when it’s needed, tutors who are willing to help wherever they can, and nurses who will find ways to make seeing patients that much easier.
5. Practice self-compassion
Remember, no one is perfect. Allow yourself to make mistakes, as they are essential to learning. Treat yourself with the same kindness and patience you would offer a friend.
If you made a mistake, what would you say to your best friend? You would probably offer them a helping hand or a chance to grow. Offer yourself that same courtesy. Finding the right balance between self-criticism and grace is important to being able to develop continuously and improve, whilst not knocking your confidence along the way.
6. Set realistic goals
Break tasks into manageable pieces, and celebrate your achievements, no matter how small. Go out for dinner, get a coffee after clinics with your friends, buy the expensive loaf of bread rather than the everyday value one. Whatever it is, reward yourself. This helps combat the overwhelming feeling of inadequacy.
7. Perhaps a unique take: own it, maybe it’s a good thing
What if we never experienced imposter syndrome? What if we always walked around never feeling like an imposter? Perhaps we would never grow, never be stimulated, motivated and fulfilled. Maybe imposter syndrome can sometimes be good, to push you forward and take on new challenges with the right attitude directing you.
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