Going Home

By Richard J. Dragon, D.M.D.

I live near Reno, Nevada which makes getting to the institute and back home again
tiring and sometimes rather difficult.  There are of course considerable opportunities
to learn from masters closer to home, all of which I respect and have great interest in;
I just found that my best niche is at the Pankey Institute.

I recently took an Invisalign course offered at the institute, which was the first course
I’ve taken since completing my last continuum level.  Walking through those doors
gave me a sense of peace and security which left me pondering why I felt that way.
My conclusions have a great deal to do with that simple cross of dentistry and cross
of life that Pankey teaches during the first continuum which leads to both spiritual
reward and happiness in life. Another factor adding to my sense of security is that
Pankey is run as a non-profit organization.  All of us, including the institute, are
concerned with the bottom line, revenue and profit, which of course is healthy.  But
at the institute we also learn how to balance our personal lives with our professional
lives.  Doing the “right thing”, that is, what is best for our patients, staff, family or self is
not a mistake nor is it going to bankrupt us.  Instead, when we subscribe to these
principles we find our lives become more balanced, healthy, profitable and happy. 

Learning these truths combined with the following observations and considerations
have led to trust. These observations include but are not limited to the following:

1. An appreciation for the hard working student instructors who are, by the way,
   only partially compensated for travel, food and housing expenses.
2. Having been able to listen to and be trained by previous and current faculty
   members most of whom were trained up by the institute themselves and are
   now internationally recognized.
3. Appreciable value for what you spend on education.
4. The number of additional internationally recognized restorative dentists/speakers
   brought in who either attended the institute and/or taught there is nothing more than impressive.

Trust is not easily attained and once lost difficult to re-establish.  Yes, there are probably a
bazillion ways of making a bite splint and we can argue that over coffee any time and any place,
but what I do learn from the Institute I can trust. 

I have always loved dentistry and at age 56 I hope I can say I am only half way through my career. 
Since attending Pankey I love dentistry even more.  I always desire to learn and continually look
for opportunities to share and contribute to the profession I love so much. 

If you are a previous Pankey Dentist and you find yourself floundering out there in that mess
called life, consider going back to that place where they speak in that funny language known as
“occlusion.” Go to that place where like minded dentists hang out and encourage one another.
That place for those who are continually striving for excellence.  You are a part of a great fraternity;
take the time to enjoy it.