Testimonials
The Dentist Well-Being Committee has helped hundreds of dentists over the past 30 years. Here are some examples of the positive outcomes we’ve seen.
For me, getting into recovery is changing and improving my life in many significant ways. The most impressive change was the choices I now have in managing and coping with life experiences and my feelings.
For so many years while using drugs I had no patience for my children. They were viewed as loud, annoying and certainly not the source of love and pleasure they should have been. Now, I leave work early, coach the basketball and baseball teams, and look forward to spending as much time as possible with them. How tragic it would have been if I had missed them. They are the reason for being alive, and I almost didn’t know it.
Videos from two of our dentists
Testimonial from Lenora
Testimonial from Larry
A letter from one of our dentists
July 17, 2024
Dear fellow dentists in Maryland,
The Dentist Well-Being Committee offers a non-confrontational and non-judgmental place where dentists can begin or continue their pathway towards recovery. While doing so, they can continue to practice their profession that they so covet.
I am a perfect example of one of these people. I truly believe that I was born an alcoholic, as my genetic predisposition was so imposing. It was just a matter of time until this disease caught up with me. When it did, inpatient recovery, AA, and the Dentist Well-Being Committee steered me right back to the correct pathway.
The Dentist Support Group was particularly helpful in my case because it allowed me to share my story with my peers, which you can’t always do in AA. The members of the Support Group completely understood the trials, tribulations, and stressors of being a dentist. Plus, I had the opportunity to share not only with other dentists, but also with other specialists in my field of dentistry. This has been a huge component of my recovery.
I have been a member of the Dentist Support Group for years and years, especially while I was practicing in Maryland. As time passed, I retired and moved to the South. Here I have become extraordinarily involved “in service” of AA—particularly helping those in early recovery find their way to a “wonderful life beyond their wildest dreams.”
But what I haven’t done is given up my membership in the Dentist Support Group. After the COVID pandemic, the support group moved to a virtual venue, which allows me to Zoom in every two weeks and partake in the “Speaker” meeting. As well, it allows me to share any troubles I may have and how I’m conducting my day-to-day life as a recovering alcoholic. But most importantly it allows me the opportunity to possibly help another dentist who may be just beginning this journey by sharing with them my experience, strength, and hope.
The MSDA is so very fortunate to have two of the most empathetic men I’ve ever met leading this committee. Mr. Robert White and Dr. Robert Miller are the epitome of examples of recovery. There could be no better choices to help lead those affected by this deadly progressive disease.
I may have eventually found my way to a successful recovery in time, but by being a member of the Dentist Support Group, I was able to successfully complete my career as a dental specialist and be laser-focused on attaining successful recovery while doing so.
I have no idea how much harder it would be in states where there is no professional peer-supported recovery program. We are extremely lucky in Maryland to have this critical component of the MSDA.
Sincerely,
A grateful program participant