Here is the short Run Down of My Story..
Finished High School
- Interested to Pursue my study in Arts. Top 3 Career Choice was either = Mangaka, Animator, Interior Designer
– Getting Straight “A”s in my SPM (equivalent to O level), prompt my parents and family “persuade” me to pursue more “Esteem and Professional Career with High Job Security”
– After much back and forth “Negotiations”, choose Dentistry as it was the “Easier Route” vs Medicine.
Feeling confident that studying Dentistry would afford me more “free time”, I embraced the chance to pursue my passion for manga artistry. This affirmed my belief that I had chosen the right path.
At least if my dream of becoming a Mangaka doesn’t work out, I have Dentistry as a backup plan.
Ohhh boy.. How Naive I was!!
2011 - Start 1st Year in Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS)
- Started Dentistry with slight "Optimism" after completing my foundation in Center for Foundation Study (CFS) IIUM.
As I delved into Basic Medical Science & Pre Clinical Dentistry, I quickly realized it wasn’t as simple as I had imagined.
The idea of having ample “free time” turned out to be false.
With no opportunity to pursue my artistic passion and feeling out of place, I became disillusioned. Blaming myself for my Naivety, it only added to my burden.
To relieve myself of this guilt and mental weight, I chose to channel my energy and time more productively by focusing solely on my studies, temporarily setting aside my dream of becoming a Mangaka. This led me to a state of limbo.
2012 - Soldier on 2nd Year in BDS
- Passed my First Professional Exam, and continue on "Limbo"
- Fate intervened and encounter transformative book and “Learn to Focus on Circle of Influence” - click here to read the story
2013-2015 - Continue with Clinical Dentistry
- Clinical Dentistry is a different animal altogether. Love the diversity but there isn't one I can call my own
– Struggle is Real.. Manage to be just an Average student and at time passing just barely
– Found a passion in social activism, co-founded “Green Mahallah Project.”
– Despite struggles in clinical dentistry, excelled in problem-solving – discover interest in Dental Public Health.
2016 - Final Year BDS
- Words of encouragement by a Mentor and found a Niche in Dentistry in Public Health and Dreamed to become a Policy Maker.
2017 - Work in Public Service under MOH (Ministry of Health)
- Started off in dentistry as a public servant with uncertainty looming, due to contract-based employment. (it may standard practice in many places, but in Malaysia for the last few decades Medical & Health Professional once they graduated job security is almost a guaranteed once they work in Ministry of Health)
Found solace in personal joy as I got married in 2017, but professional uncertainty loomed.
Despite enjoying work in public service, faced uncertainty of permanent placement
Early 2019 - Change that prompt a new considerations
Wife's pregnancy in 2019 prompted consideration of career options.
What it means is that I need to revisit “Clinical Dentistry” and equipped myself to be Highly Competent in it. Start a journey of “Continuous Improvements”
Invested in improving clinical skills for potential transition to private practice (Rotary Endo-Motor, Composite Sets & FCB Tray)
– With heavy heart, gave up my dream working in “Policy Making” by transitioning into private practice for more control over my own career fate.
Late 2019 - Transition into Private Practice
Started private practice amidst excitement of becoming a father, but anxiety about solo work and financial stability loomed.
2020 - COVID 19 Pandemic
Just when I am getting some financial stability working in the private practice, Lockdown in March 2020. This lead to financial strain.
– Lock in home with no income, makes myself wonder have I made the right decision entering private practice?.
– Explore video-making and Youtube. Discovered passion for video-making, reigniting creativity and providing new outlet
2020-2021 Post Covid Lockdown
- Blessing in disguised? Somehow after lock down ease, patient volume steadily rises and before long we are quite productive and busy.
As I am doing more dentistry.. Struggle with poor ergonomic started to manifest symptoms. Chronic pain and Chronic Stress prompt Burnout…
Prompting a shift towards ergonomic dentistry.
Deep dive into Ergonomics Dentistry & Embrace Magnification wholeheartedly. Lead to Game-Changing Improvement in my Dentistry. Realized eventually that I am not bad at Clinical Dentistry.
POOR ERGONOMIC = CLINICAL DENTISTRY FEELS HARD = DEVELOP SELF LIMITING BELIEF I WAS BAD AT CLINICAL DENTISTRY.
In a way Magnification allows me to breakthrough Self Limiting Belief that I was bad a Clinical Dentistry.
2022 - Relocate to another branch under the same Private Group Practice
- Welcome the change, soon faced intense scheduling pressure and reach a breaking point.
– Despite challenges I persist due to the dream to join the company as a partner, one of my career goals from the very beginning of entering the group practice.
– Series of abrupt policy changes left me disillusioned, but still believing in the company overall vision I still persisted while many other associate quits.
February, 2023 - A Dark Place
Entering my thirties, a growing disillusionment intensified, particularly amidst the backdrop of escalating economic uncertainty. With the vanishing optimism for the year 2023, I found myself confronting what many might dub a "Mid-Life Crisis." Questions arose, challenging my very sense of contentment: Could I truly envision a fulfilling life solely within the confines of dentistry?
The nail in the coffin was having my dream shattered, a dream I have been holding dear and working on for the last 4 years of my life.. Time I can never get back…
I entered a “Dark Place”, prompt me taking a long hiatus anything related to dentistry. Despite continuing to fulfill my professional obligations, I operated on autopilot.
(Since 2019, I had been immersed in dentistry, seldom taking breaks from learning. Even during my off days, I remained engaged, absorbing knowledge through podcasts, educational websites, and Instagram profiles. It was during this time that my activity on Instagram noticeably dwindled.)
March, 2023 - Start of long Hiatus & Healing Journey
Guided by the wisdom of my mentors, I eagerly delved into unfamiliar territories, embracing subjects beyond my comfort zone and revisiting long-neglected areas of interest. This exploration spanned both familiar and entirely novel domains of life.
Finally confront “Emotional Injury” I sustained and work using dual approach to healing, engaged both conscious and subconscious treatment modalities
Through the application of Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, I addressed conscious thought patterns, while simultaneously harnessing the power of mindfulness and breathwork exercises to access deeper layers of the subconscious mind.
November, 2023 - A renewed sense of purposed
Having contextualized dentistry as an integral aspect of my identity, I feel compelled to share my insights and experiences with others. This realization marks the inception of a personal blog—a platform through which I aim to offer valuable perspectives and foster meaningful connections.
In essence, this endeavor serves as the mission statement of Distilling Insight & Dentistry—a venture driven by the desire to distill wisdom from personal experiences and impart valuable insights to others navigating similar paths.