Earlier this year, I made a conscious decision to commence sharing all the knowledge I’ve ever acquired. You can read about that decision here in my first ever blog post.
Whilst this website is my primary avenue for knowledge-sharing, I’ve also decided to more actively accept speaker invitations.
To mark this mindful decision, I’ve agreed to speak at one of the world’s biggest medical conventions, the FDI World Dental Conference at the International Convention Centre in Sydney, Australia on 24-27 September 2023. I’ll be on stage for multinational giant 3M to talk about “orthodontic bonding efficiencies you can implement in your practice today”.
That’s a mouthful, right?
As this technical topic will only appeal to die-hard orthodontists, I won’t dive into the subject matter here. However, I will distil a wise lesson for all my fellow dentists, doctors and medical professionals.
The lesson: Integrate and immerse yourself as much as possible into these two following communities.
Firstly, the local community where you work, and secondly, the global community which you are a part of.
1. The Local Community Where I Work
As an orthodontist based in the Illawarra and Wollongong region, I can only be of true service to the area if I actively integrate myself into community activism, grassroots initiatives and meaningful pursuits.
One of the downsides of my profession is that I work very long hours. Although most Australians and certainly most people around the world could relate to that, I cannot be of optimal service to my community if I am constantly working on teeth. Yes, orthodontics is my occupation, but it should not obstruct my greater purpose as a human being.
Therefore, my advice for all orthodontists, dentists, doctors and other medical professionals is to step outside your small job, and step into your big life. Start at grassroots level by reading your local news and participate in community-building. Locals may be concerned about pollution running into the ocean or rivers, the rise of knife crime or even the destruction of heritage buildings. Whatever the problem, lead or be a part of the community solution. This means devoting a small amount of time to step away from your patients, staff, business, family and financial matters to pursue a duty that is bigger than your own needs.
I’ll soon share the work that I’ve been doing around the Illawarra, Wollongong and Sydney. I hope it will inspire you to take the first step towards immersing yourself into the local community. Local residents need your time, excellence, passion and wisdom.
2. The Global Community I Belong To
As an orthodontist, I am a part of the global dental and medical community. As there are only 9 million doctors worldwide serving a global population of 8 billion people, we are only 1.125% of the world’s population. We are rare birds.
Our common job is to enhance, improve and prolong people’s lives. We are a tiny global community with an important responsibility, as billions of people rely on our gifts, talents and expertise to help them through their greatest life struggles.
This is written with zero pride but a great sense of urgency.
As we can only treat one patient at a time, sharing knowledge across our community is the only way we can globally scale and multiply our learnings, experiences and insights.
This is why I strongly recommend that we all step up and contribute to our global medical community. This includes sharing your knowledge on mass media, social media, websites, blogs, or on stage. I’ll be stepping up at the FDI World Dental Conference, and you can too.
When can you start? Today.
Are you too old and busy? Never, and no. The world needs insights from your lived-in experiences of high successes and rock bottom failures.
Are you too young and inexperienced? Never, and no. A teenage author who made a significant impact on the world with their work is Alex Lin. Born on 4 March 1993 in Sydney, Australia, Alex became an influential environmental activist and a strong advocate for electronic waste recycling at a young age. At the age of 13, Alex founded “Project eWaste,” an organisation dedicated to addressing the growing issue of electronic waste and its detrimental effects on the environment.
Driven by a deep passion for sustainability, Alex authored a book titled “The Recycler’s Handbook: Simple Solutions for a Sustainable World” when he was just 16 years old. This book provided practical advice and guidance on how individuals and communities can effectively reduce, reuse, and recycle electronic waste.
Through his writing and activism, Alex inspired countless individuals to take action and make positive contributions to the environment. He organised recycling drives, delivered speeches at conferences, and collaborated with schools and organisations to promote responsible e-waste disposal. Alex’s efforts not only raised awareness about the harmful impacts of electronic waste but also encouraged individuals and businesses to adopt more sustainable practices.
Alex’s remarkable achievements did not go unnoticed, as he received numerous accolades and recognition for his work. Notably, he was named one of CNN’s “Young People Who Rock” and was honoured with the Brower Youth Award for Environmental Leadership.
Alex Lin’s journey as a teenage author and environmental activist exemplifies the immense power of youth in driving change and raising awareness about pressing environmental issues. His unwavering dedication to sustainability and his ability to mobilise communities have left an indelible mark on the world, inspiring others to take action and safeguard our planet for future generations.
Age does not indicate your value on this planet. 97-year old Sir David Attenborough has also made a significant impact on the world with his work. Born on 8 May 1926 in London, England, Sir David is a renowned naturalist, broadcaster, and environmental advocate. His lifelong dedication to exploring and documenting the wonders of the natural world has captivated audiences worldwide.
Sir David’s career spans over six decades, during which he has produced and narrated numerous groundbreaking documentaries, including the iconic “Life” series and “Planet Earth.” Through his captivating storytelling and awe-inspiring cinematography, he has brought the beauty and fragility of our planet’s ecosystems into the homes of millions.
Beyond his remarkable documentaries, Sir David has been a vocal advocate for environmental conservation. His passionate pleas for action on climate change and biodiversity loss have resonated with people of all ages. He has used his platform to raise awareness about the urgent need to protect and preserve our natural world.
Sir David’s impact extends beyond his on-screen presence. He has actively supported and worked with various conservation organisations, lending his voice and expertise to campaigns and initiatives aimed at safeguarding endangered species and habitats. His tireless efforts have inspired generations to appreciate and care for the Earth’s biodiversity.
Recognised for his immense contributions, Sir David has received numerous awards and honors, including multiple BAFTAs and Emmy Awards. His work has not only educated and entertained but has also sparked a global movement for environmental stewardship.
Sir David Attenborough’s lifelong dedication to exploring and protecting the natural world serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of environmental conservation. His ability to connect with audiences and convey the urgency of preserving our planet’s biodiversity has inspired countless individuals to take action and make a positive impact. Sir David’s legacy as a naturalist and environmental advocate will continue to shape the way we perceive and protect our precious Earth for generations to come.
My greatest mentors are beyond retirement age, and the youngest team members at South Coast Orthodontics are half my age. All are valuable and integral to my evolution as a human being.
For all my fellow orthodontists, dentists and medical professionals, I look forward to meeting you at the FDI World Dental Congress in Sydney, and sharing my thoughts on stage.
I also hope you gain fresh perspectives and inspiration from the initiatives I’m pursuing within my local and global communities.
My ultimate hope is that we all step out and step up together.
Yours truly,
Dr Kamal Ahmed
Oh, and as I spoke a lot about age in this post, the older ones may have a slight advantage and know the answer to this question:
How do you follow Will Smith in the snow? You follow the fresh prints.
