Alan reflects on his 27 years in dentistry, revealing how his past struggles with addiction and a conservative approach to treatment planning have impacted his practice. He admits he often defaults to a "watch-and-wait" approach in gray-area cases, feeling a need to save patients money or fearing they will say no to treatment. He worries this may lead to more complex and expensive procedures down the road, benefiting neither the patient nor his business.

Alan challenges himself to be more assertive in presenting a full range of treatment options, allowing patients to make their own decisions. He believes this shift is crucial for both his professional growth and the long-term well-being of his patients.

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