If you’re a Dental Professional on social media, you’ve probably laughed, got triggered, or have been shocked by something Dr. Steven Mautner posted. But as someone who has known Dr. Mautner for many years, I like to give credit to those posts to his social media alter ego “Mauty.” Because Mauty shares the stories and comments that we think about but dare not post. And let’s be honest here, there’s plenty of funny material to work within
Dentistry.
So before we get into Mauty’s 4 tips in keeping your sanity in Dentistry, let’s talk about the man behind Mauty – Dr. Steven Mautner.
After graduating from dental school at New York University, he spent three years practicing dentistry alongside his dad in New York before moving down to Florida in 1996. Rumor has it that Steven had to leave his Father’s practice after one too many wisecracks about his Father’s crown preps. Fast forward to the present day, and Steven has been running his own practice in Florida for the last 33 years (and counting).
He nows spends his days avoiding his denture patients, trying to find new insurance plans to sign up for, and fact-checking any news from the liberal media. When asked how much longer he’ll be practicing dentistry for Dr. Mautner responded, “They’ll have to pry my handpiece out of my cold, dead hands or when my alimony settlement ends. Whichever happens first.”
Without further adieu, here’s Mauty’s 4 tips:
1. Don’t take things too seriously.
First and foremost, Mauty believes that it’s essential not to take things too seriously. “They’re just teeth, and no one cares about their teeth in America,” he told me with a chuckle. After all, a dental mishap can be fixed—and life goes on.”
2. Don’t get too fancy with basic business stuff.
When it comes to hiring staff, Mauty believes in keeping it simple. You don’t have to act like the “head of NASA.” To Mauty, it’s not rocket science. In fact, he trusts his girlfriend, Elizabeth, to do the initial interviews and, if she likes the candidate, he then talks to them. There’s no need for extensive personality tests and fancy HR departments—it’s all about finding someone with a good personality and a willingness to work hard.
3. Burnout is real in every profession—not just dentistry—and it’s up to you to manage the stress of a job you decided to pursue.
As our conversation drifted toward burnout and stress in dentistry, Mauty dismissed it as “nonsense.” He takes a pragmatic approach to the profession, acknowledging that it’s a job and—like any other job—it comes with its ups and downs. Mauty suggested quitting your job and going on welfare if you’re feeling overwhelmed. The problem with that, he says, is that it might be just a tad bit more stressful than what you’re going through now (ha!).
4. Mauty’s three tips for a young dentist:
Mauty has some golden nuggets of advice for the younger dentists eager to embark on a long and successful career. First, remember that patients are responsible for their dental health; if treatment fails, it’s not your fault. Second, avoid denture patients AFTER they’ve been inserted and paid for. Lastly, be careful with who you marry because it could painfully prolong your career.
Don’t let his online persona fool you; Dr. Steven Mautner is a wealth of knowledge
The one thing that many people say when they meet Dr. Mautner in person is how different he is in real life. Don’t get me wrong, you’ll still experience his sense of humor. But you’ll also find a person who has a wealth of knowledge and the willingness to share it with others.
