They say if you love what you do for a living, you’ll never work a day in your life. I know firsthand that this is true. I know this because I work with Dr. Saunders.
Dr. Saunders has been an endodontist for over forty years. In that time, he has amassed a wealth of dental knowledge and expertise. I’ve seen him gain access to a calcified canal that would vex a lesser endodontist. He often finds a fourth canal in a previously treated tooth which that doctor missed. He’s in this field to save teeth and he does. Daily. If you ask him, he’ll tell you he loves what he does and it shows. Just ask his patients!
Now, there are plenty of incredibly smart, capable endodontists out there. What sets Dr. Saunders apart from the rest is that he’s a teacher, too. He’s been teaching endodontics at Tufts for decades. He’s able to explain a diagnosis and procedure to a patient in a way that they will understand. He talks to the patient, not at them. He addresses any and all questions and concerns a patient may have. There are no surprises because he doesn’t allow any. As I walk patients to the check-out desk, they say things like “He’s so calming.” or “His voice is so soothing.” or “That was easier than a filling!” Root canal therapy has a bad reputation that it doesn’t deserve, and Dr. Saunders is single-handedly dispelling that myth every single day.
What makes him so caring? It starts at home. Dr. Saunders is a loving husband, father, and grandfather. He gets so much joy from his family. He’s so proud of his children and all they’ve accomplished. From my perspective, Grandfather is one of his favorite roles in life. He recently made dollhouses and lighthouses for the four little ones. (See his past blog about the process!) When they come for a cleaning, he takes off his white doctor coat before checking in on them. He wants them to see grandpa, not a doctor.
Dr. Saunders regularly says “Thank you” when I pass him an instrument. He praises my assisting skills to the patients. He even brags when I’m able to get my hands on a new high-tech torch. He’s one of a kind and I reap all the benefits. I love what I do because I do it alongside Dr. Saunders. This isn’t work. It’s pure joy.
Maureen Lake, Dental Assistant