January 21, 2026, was Bell Let’s Talk Day: a day in Canada dedicated to shining a light on mental health and the very real challenges so many people face.

Around that time (or perhaps thanks to the mysterious workings of social media algorithms), I started seeing an unusual number of posts about something that quietly affects the mental health of almost every dental professional out there: patients who feel compelled to announce—often loudly—how much they hate being at the dentist.

You know the comments: “I hate coming here.” “I’d rather be anywhere else but this chair right now.”

Individually, these remarks may seem harmless. Collectively, and repeated day after day, they can be surprisingly draining. Dentistry is already a profession with well-documented stressors. Being reminded—constantly—how much people dread seeing you does not help.

I understand the impact of this more than you might expect.

One thing lawyers and dentists have in common is that we are not always the most loved professionals. I spent years in a profession that has inspired an entire genre of jokes.

“What do you call 1,000 lawyers at the bottom of the ocean? A good start.”
“Why don’t sharks eat lawyers? Professional courtesy.”

I usually laughed along. Many of the jokes are clever. But beneath the humour is a misunderstanding of what professionals like lawyers—and dentists—actually do for the people they serve. That reality can take a toll.

Whether you are an associate in a DSO with production expectations or the owner of a private practice responsible for the financial health of your business, maintaining a positive attitude with patients is not optional. Your level of case acceptance can be directly linked to your ability to gain trust, develop rapport, and maintain optimism.

And that is more easily achieved with an attitude of positivity.

But staying positive can be difficult when you walk into the operatory determined to be upbeat—only to be greeted with, “I hate being here!”

So how do you protect your own mental health in the face of that kind of negativity?

The first and most important step is understanding this: it is not personal.

Most patients are not trying to insult you, undermine your professionalism, or add stress to your day. In fact, many do not even realize the impact of what they are saying.

They are scared.

For a significant portion of the population, dental visits trigger anxiety rooted in past experiences. The sound of a handpiece, the smell of a dental office, or the loss of control in the chair can instantly transport someone back to a moment—often in childhood—that felt frightening or overwhelming. Even if that experience was not physically painful, the emotional memory lingers.

As adults, many patients feel embarrassed by this fear. They know, intellectually, that modern dentistry is safe and sophisticated. Emotionally, though, fear does not respond well to logic. When people cannot articulate anxiety, they often express it sideways.

So, they project. In a way, they blame you.

The instinctive response for many clinicians is to ignore these comments, brush them off, or power through with forced cheerfulness. That approach may get you through the appointment—but it does not really protect you in the long term.

What if, instead, you acknowledged what the patient was feeling?

Not in a way that reinforces their anxiety, and not in a way that shifts the emotional burden back onto them—but in a way that gently diffuses it.

The next time a patient announces their displeasure at being in your office, consider agreeing with them. Acknowledge that this is not how most people would choose to spend their free time. Recognize that the environment can feel uncomfortable or intimidating. Then, shift the focus.

You might say something like: “You’re right—this isn’t where most people would choose to be. And yet, you’re here anyway. That tells me you care about your health, and I want to acknowledge you for that. It’s not always easy, but I’m glad you’re here, and I’ll do my best to take good care of you.”

You might even thank them for showing up.

This small reframing does a few important things. It validates the patient’s feelings without amplifying them. It recognizes their effort rather than their fear. And it subtly shifts the dynamic from adversarial to collaborative.

Will this approach work for every patient? No.

Some people will cling tightly to the “hate to be here” routine, visit after visit. For those patients, you may need to adapt your language or rely more heavily on your team’s support and consistency.

But many patients respond positively to acknowledgement. They feel seen rather than dismissed. And when anxiety softens, even slightly, the entire appointment often becomes easier—for everyone involved.

Just as importantly, this approach can protect your own mental health. By reframing the interaction, you prevent negativity from quietly accumulating over the course of your day.

Dentistry is inherently stressful. No amount of positive reframing will eliminate that reality. But small changes in how we interpret and respond to everyday interactions can make the load feel lighter.

So even though Bell Let’s Talk Day has passed, the message remains relevant. If practice—or life—starts to feel heavier than it should, reach out. Talk to a colleague. Lean on your team. Seek professional support when needed.

Looking after others starts with looking after yourself.