International Men's Day 2025

This year’s theme, “Conversations That Matter”, encourages open and honest discussions around wellbeing, role modelling, and personal growth.

Across Rodericks Dental Partners, we’ve spoken to some of the fantastic men in our business who’ve shared their thoughts and experiences on what this day means to them. Their reflections highlight the importance of connection, support, and creating space for meaningful conversations – not just today, but every day.

Ross Denoon – Practice Manager

What does being a positive role model mean to you? 

Being somebody that makes a difference to other people. Whether that is in the workplace or broader community. Being approachable, a good listener and empathetic. 

How do you look after your own wellbeing?

I like to spend time with family and friends but also to make time for myself, participating in things that are meaningful to me generally through art and music. I find discussing my feelings with my colleagues when I feel under pressure helps me to not bottle things up. 

What advice would you give to other men starting their careers in dentistry?

Go for it! As a Practice Manager be prepared to listen, be empathetic and understanding, and build relationships by finding something in common with each individual you work with. 

Dominic Higgins – Dentist

What does being a positive role model mean to you?

I think having been qualified now for almost 15 years, it’s fair to say I’ve been through all the highs and lows that our profession has to throw at us. It is a profession that challenges us physically, mentally and emotionally, and at times all three at once. Sometimes the highs don’t last long enough, and at others the lows last too long. It is often a lonely, isolated position in which too many fall into the trap that they are alone in their struggles and no-one else is going through the same difficulties. I would suggest that as a profession, generally we are overthinkers and can get lost in our own self-doubt, and now that the profession is very visible on social media, whilst it can be an excellent source of motivation and encouragement, for many it's another source of comparison and doubting ourselves.

I’ve been fortunate to have all kinds of role models influence my career. Ones that have inspired, ones that have supported and even ones that have taught me about the kind of dentist I don’t want to be, which is just as important as the others. For me now, being considered somewhat experienced, I hope that my colleagues see me as a source of information but also emotional support and companionship. It's been important to create an atmosphere where my door is always open to any member of the team, whether that is apprentice nurses, members of the reception or management teams or also my fellow clinicians. It's obviously very important to me to have good clinical standards, but with the way the world is today, and with the stresses that we face, I am acutely aware that we have to support each other both clinically but probably more importantly, emotionally. So, whilst I’m not sure I fall under the title of “role model”, I do hope people know that they can reach out to me to share in their moments of pride when things have gone well, and also in the times when it all feels confusing and daunting. I don’t think I always have the answer, but my experiences have taught me that we are generally guilty of taking the weight of our profession on our own shoulders and forget to share with those that are going through or have gone through those experiences.

How do you look after your own wellbeing?

This is a tricky one. I definitely have not mastered this and it is a constant work in progress. Like many others, I take on the emotional burdens that our patients put on us. I stress about time and processes, the difficult dentures, adequate isolation and the access for those patients that “can’t lie flat” but have no issues with falling asleep in a nice cosy bed. It's hard. The individual aspects of the profession are hard; then throw them all together at one time, and it's no wonder we feel stressed and burnt out.

I think I’d say I’ve learnt to talk. The good, the bad and the ugly. I share it all, and it's reducing the stress levels. It will never cure the stress; life can be damn hard, but I fully sign up to “a problem shared is a problem halved”. Making sure I have a life outside of work is also so important. I’ve had periods in my career where I have woken up, gone to work, come home exhausted, fallen asleep on the sofa, gone to bed and repeated. We have to find something we enjoy that breaks up the working week, because dentistry has the ability to beat you down and can keep you down if you don’t have an out.

What advice would you give to other men starting their careers in dentistry?

For me, as a dentist, a dad, a man that has recently hit 40…. Communicate. Treat your colleagues like your best friends. Have a laugh and giggle, and share the hard and the good. Work hard to find time with the team away from practice, where position at work doesn’t matter. We are all genuinely going through the same things. Life is busy, but having a good safety net around you that understands what we go through (because genuinely, no one outside the profession gets it) will get you through the hardest of times and make the wins even bigger, so prioritise time as a team. With that goes one other thing. Be inquisitive and not judgemental. Rather than criticise someone, try to take a moment to ask why someone has done what they have done. You may be surprised to learn that they don’t have a vendetta against you, and life is treating them as hard as it's treating you.

Russell Bangayan – CRM Executive

What does being a positive role model mean to you?

For me, being a positive role model isn’t about always getting everything right or putting pressure on myself to be perfect. It’s about being kind to myself, recognising that mistakes happen and then owning them with honesty and a good attitude. If something goes wrong, I try to learn from it rather than dwell on it. Staying optimistic and focusing on the positives really matters to me. I believe that when you put good energy out, it has a way of coming back.

How do you look after your own wellbeing?

I try to keep the basics in check first: eating well, staying active at the gym and protecting my sleep as much as I can. Those three make a big difference to how I feel day to day. I also make time to switch off – whether that’s some quiet time to myself or a low-key catch-up with friends. Having that space to breathe, reflect and just be myself is a big part of how I look after my wellbeing.

What advice would you give to other men starting their careers in dentistry?

I joined Rodericks Dental Partners at the start of October 2025, coming into an industry I’d never worked in before. I’m based in the marketing team rather than in a clinical role, and what surprised me is how interesting and dynamic dental marketing actually is.

My advice would be: don’t feel you have to know everything from day one. Be curious, ask questions and give yourself permission to be new. Dentistry has so many different paths – clinical and non-clinical – and there’s real satisfaction in knowing that, whatever your role, you’re contributing to patients’ care and confidence. If you stay open to learning and bring a positive attitude, it can be a very rewarding place to build a career.

Chris Everiss – Marketing Acquisition Manager

What does being a positive role model mean to you? 

To me, being a positive role model means showing, not just saying, the kind of behaviour and attitude I’d like to see in others. It’s about being consistent in my values, things like integrity, respect, empathy, and accountability, especially when it’s difficult or when no one is watching.

How do you look after your own wellbeing?

I look after my wellbeing by making sure I build in small, consistent habits that help me reset. I take regular time for myself, away from distractions, so I can switch off and recharge mentally. I also use simple breathing exercises, especially when I’m feeling stressed or busy – they help me slow down, clear my head and stay grounded.

On top of that, I do a lot of walking. Getting outside, moving my body and getting some fresh air really helps my mood and energy levels. Those three things together – time out, breathing, and walking – keep me feeling balanced and better able to handle whatever the day brings.

What advice would you give to other men starting their careers in dentistry?

Even though I’ve only been in dentistry for a short time, I’d say my main advice to other men starting out is:

First, stay curious and don’t be afraid to ask questions. Dentistry is full of new terms, systems and processes, and it’s completely normal not to know everything. The people who grow fastest are usually the ones who are honest about what they don’t know and are willing to learn.

Second, remember it’s a people-focused profession, whether you’re clinical or non-clinical like me. How you speak to patients, colleagues and the wider team matters just as much as your technical skills. Being kind, respectful and a good listener goes a long way.

Finally, look after yourself. Dentistry can be fast-paced and pressured, so building habits that protect your wellbeing early on is important.

Start Your Journey With Us

As we celebrate International Men’s Day and the conversations that truly matter, it’s clear that wellbeing, support and personal growth are at the heart of every career journey — including those in dentistry. The experiences shared by our colleagues show that building a fulfilling path in this profession starts with connection, curiosity and looking after yourself along the way. If you’re inspired by their stories and ready to begin your own journey in a field where your wellbeing and development genuinely matter, we’d love to hear from you. Explore current opportunities and start your career with us by clicking here.