Clear out your drawers

Admit it: No one needs 5 different bonding systems or 7 alternative types of composite.

But, when I go into practices it’s possible to go on an archaeological dig that turns up piles of useless stuff filling the cupboards and drawers. In one practice recently I found filling materials that were 12 years past their expiry date.

When you have a quiet hour or two in your practice it’s an opportunity to sort this out and get rid of some stuff. Start with one cupboard or drawer, pull everything out of it and look at it carefully. Ask yourself: “Will I ever use this?”

Over the years I’ve bought composites because they were on special. When I started to use them I found I didn’t like them because they were too tacky or too opaque or whatever. They got put in the cupboard because I couldn’t bear to admit I’d made a mistake.

Or, do you have instruments you never use such as a percussive crown remover or gingival margin trimmers? I had these sitting in my drawers for years and they never got used. Or, do you have weird-shaped burs that you can’t remember what they’re for?

Do you have any out-of-date materials? Imagine if patients or colleagues knew that you were using out-of-date materials.

Have some instruments been superseded because you changed the way you work? For example, maybe you’re never going to use the electrical pulp tester again? Maybe all your bonding needs can be handled by one comprehensive kit? Maybe you bought some implants from an obscure, now-dead system?

Throw out the stuff that fits in the above categories. It might hurt a little because you paid good money for it.

But the reward is, when you’re done, a heap of clutter will be gone from your life. You’ll have more cupboard and drawer space and you will have thought deeply about your systems and choices of materials.

It will streamline your practicing life.