If you’ve seen the show Stranger Things, you’ll be familiar with the two worlds it depicts: the real world and the ‘upside down’. The real world is akin to where I’m sitting now, writing this article on a Saturday morning at 5am. The upside down is a darker place, full of fear, unpredictability, and a constant sense that “something is out to get you.” That’s what the world of dentistry can feel like, depending entirely on which ‘side’ you perceive yourself to be on.

On one end, we have a very static system, unchanged for decades. On the other, we’re seeing a rapidly evolving industry, with AI and private equity reshaping how treatment is rendered and redefining the practitioner’s experience.

In my observation, which geographic location one practices in does shape their clinical experience, but more importantly, it influences how “stuck” they feel at any point in time. Regardless of whether you’re an optimist or a “realist” (I’ll refrain from saying pessimist), it’s essential to understand where this profession is headed and when you, as a clinician, will likely hit a wall in your career. Because that moment is coming, like it or not.

What I’ve observed – and personally lived – is that in every industry, strategy equals diversification. That’s the language strategists speak.

“Diversify, diversify, diversify – it’ll help you reduce career stagnation risk.”

Whether it’s your investment portfolio or your career, diversification matters. But what drives most of the hesitation is the uncertainty around where to diversify. There are just so many options.

To which I say: what a privileged problem to have. For the first time in history, the core issue – especially in the developed world – isn’t access to knowledge or opportunity. It’s indecision. We’re overwhelmed by choice, and that often leads to procrastination or inaction.

But then there’s the upside-down world. The ones who are stuck there aren’t acting on this abundance of knowledge. And dare I say, in dentistry, many clinicians are simply reacting to life & accepting the “status quo” perception, instead of actively steering it.

It’s nobody’s fault. It’s human nature – we often act only when the consequences of inaction become critical. That’s when we finally rise from our dental chairs and get going.

The Financial Trap of Over-Reliance on Clinical Income

The winds are shifting in how we interact with the world today. Whether dentist or not, people’s behaviours have changed dramatically in the past decade and will continue to change in the next one.

Here’s how I’d explain it:

People crave freedom. They’re leaving environments that don’t offer growth or guidance. Loyalty is shifting inward – toward the self. Trust in traditional systems is at an all-time low. For those who feel “stuck,” rates of mental and physical health challenges, and even family breakdowns, are at unprecedented levels.

In short: people want freedom, but they lack the tools to create it. So, they leave – the job, the partner, and in the worst cases, even the world.

Dentists are often observers of this shift. We see our non-clinical peers changing jobs, earning more, standing up for what they want, and being met with opportunities. But many dentists don’t relate to that world. They feel bound to their original contract with dentistry: earn through clinical work alone.

We surveyed dentists globally and found that financial stress, burnout, and bore-out are the three dominant challenges. Interestingly, most clinicians weren’t clear on what “stress” really meant. They said things like, “I don’t have time for myself or my family,” or “I had an anxiety attack during COVID thinking about how I’d support my family if I couldn’t practice.” Yet, when asked if they were stressed, they checked the option that said: “No, but I would like to learn more about expanding my career.”

This optimism is admirable – and far healthier than the upside-down worldview, where every event feels like a threat. But regardless of temperament, every clinician has a responsibility to recognise how a midlife crisis can manifest in dentistry – and to act early to avoid getting stuck in it’s grasp.

One of the best ways to do that is to diversify your income streams and skillsets.

Missed Opportunities in High-Leverage Skills and Passive Income

Dentists have skills that translate well into the industries like MedTech – especially in training, consulting, content creation, product development, and investing. The compounding power of early diversification can’t be overstated.

One reason midlife crises occur in dentistry is the loss of intellectual stimulation. In the early years, university curriculum and new cases kept us on our toes & sharp. But ten years into practice, we’re walking into the clinic feeling numb, wearing an often forced mask, treating the same types of cases day after day.

Eventually, every thoughtful dentist will ask: “Is this really what I’ll be doing for the next 30 years?”

The answer is: Yes – unless you change something.

But change doesn’t mean quitting clinical work altogether (men, in particular, tend to think in extremes.) Instead, diversification is a step-by-step, strategic process & a good mentor eases that process.

Many dentists who have multiple income streams – engage in online courses, speak at events, advise startups, write books, and invest in ventures that align with their clinical expertise. That’s why I encourage expansion into the dental product space.

Why Traditional Dentists Are Sitting Ducks in Today’s Market

In regions where monthly income barely covers expenses, things will only get harder. Dentistry salaries are stagnant, and AI is empowering patients to self-diagnose. Like it or not, people will find cheaper ways to care for themselves, and tech will help them do it.

In developed economies, AI-driven diagnostics, teledentistry, and evolving consumer expectations are changing the game. Corporate dentistry and DSOs are rising fast.

Whether you like it or not, it’s no longer optional to stick your guns and not change. Dentists who lack diversified income or skills will be more vulnerable to being replaced or commoditized.

If you don’t position yourself beyond “just a provider,” you risk losing control over your clinical integrity. The current system doesn’t always have your best interest at heart, and one day you’ll wake up and realise you’re stuck – doing work that pays the bills but drains your soul.

Control is rooted in financial freedom. And that comes from diversifying your income – strategically.

If I had a nickel for every time I saw a bright, excited clinician fade into numbness and eventually frustration… The masks we wear in this profession are deeply damaging. And to know that simple diversification could have helped – it’s both humbling and heartbreaking.

Diversified vs. Non-Diversified Careers

If you’ve ever attended a dental conference, seen someone speaking on stage, and thought “I could do that”, you’re probably a great candidate for career expansion.

But if you just attend events to take selfies and return to your day-to-day feeling hollow – then difficult conversations are on the horizon for you – with your spouse, your kids, your employees, your patients – Yourself.

It’s not a question of if, it’s a question of when.

Human beings weren’t meant to settle forever. Every decade or so, we crave a new experience. It’s how we’re wired.

Stress doesn’t come from change, it comes from knowing what to change and still choosing not to.

Start Small, Think Long

I’ve worked with KOLs, dental product companies, and clinicians over many years. Every single KOL started by dedicating just 1–2 hours a week to learning new skills. That’s it. They began with humility, accepting that knowing how to do clinical work isn’t enough anymore. They unlearnt all the university training of “not looking weak” and tamed their egos to allow themselves to become a student again.

This isn’t self-help fluff. It’s intentional time spent building relationships with the people you want to become. It’s taking courses that add to your value. It’s having the common sense that you’ll have to spend some money on your self and your own pursuits in order to then make it all back, and more in due time. And for many of the clinicians I coach, after about a year of consistent growth, they’ve landed incredible corporate opportunities and projects. Some have reduced some clinical practice weekly hours to help leading dental brands with their product development, others have joined corporate full time, knowing well that clinical life will always be right there should they wish to return to it.

And no, you don’t have to leave clinical work behind. Keep that financial safety net. But know that a year from now, you’ll be working less clinically and more strategically towards building an additional revenue stream.

Conclusion: Career Expansion Isn’t Optional Anymore

Ignoring career diversification as a dentist is a ticking time bomb. Opening additional revenue streams within an industry that values your clinical expertise is not just smart – it’s essential.

I run a 2–6 month program, called the Premium Dental Advisor Program, for dentists interested in expanding their careers into the dental product space. If you’re serious about writing a new chapter in your professional story, then I’m happy to chat and see how we can support you.

👉 You can find all the information you need [HERE].

Author Profile

Dr Namrata Upadhyay is a dental surgeon and Founder & CEO of NamNR Pro – The Global Dentists’ Pool®. She is a clinician, ex-executive to dental startups, Board advisor, Course instructor, Speaker and MedTech consultant  specialising in clinical study, regulatory and marketing for all risk classes of medical devices. She is also the Co-chair of the Medical device special interest group under in the European Medical Writers Association. She now leads change in the Business of smiles through her 2 initiatives via her company NamNR Pro namely the Global Dentists’ Pool® and the Premium Dental Advisor Program. You can reach out to her at namrata@namnrpro.org and connect with her on Linkedin here.