Do You Subscribe to DIY Dentistry?

Would you draft a legal contract if you weren’t an attorney? Rewire your house with no knowledge of electricity? Fix your plumbing just by watching YouTube? Some things you shouldn’t do yourself — and dentistry is one of them.

And yet, it’s funny how the same people who wouldn’t touch wiring or plumbing suddenly think a box of crayons makes them a logo designer — or that having an Instagram account makes them a social media guru.

Sure, they can design a logo or post on social media, but without the right expertise, they won’t realize how much more impactful it could be. All they notice is that the job got done — and it cost them less. But did it really?

Just because you don’t open your wallet doesn’t mean it’s not costing you. This logic also applies to everything from DIY medical diagnosis and self-adjusting medications to tax prep, major renovations, financial planning, advertising — even physical therapy. Dentistry is proof that being handy isn’t enough — trying to save a few bucks could leave you gritting your teeth in regret.

Don’t save pennies at the cost of pounds.

Just because you can Google a topic or watch a YouTube tutorial doesn’t mean you should DIY. Saving money up front can end up costing you more in the long run. The hidden price can include inferior results, lost opportunities, a damaged reputation, and the mental and emotional toll of fixing mistakes later. In fact, a single error on your tax return — which you might not even notice — could end up costing far more than the money you saved by preparing it yourself.

DIY Dentistry: A Painful Mistake You Don’t Want to Make

Before tackling a project, know your strengths and the risks involved.

Does the task play to your strengths?
Have you handled something like it before?
Do you have the expertise to do it right?
Do you have the resources to do it properly?
What could go wrong, and what impact would it have?

While that may seem logical, many people assume that being smart and capable means they can do anything. But just because you’re an expert in one thing doesn’t make you an expert in everything — a truth Socrates captured well: “The first step toward wisdom is knowing what you do not know.” Instead of trying to prove you can do it all or save money by going it alone, be honest with yourself. See the bigger picture, weigh the risks, and focus on what matters most before you dive in. The smartest move isn’t always doing it all yourself — it’s knowing what deserves your time, what requires an expert, and where your focus will have the greatest impact. In the words of Steve Jobs, “Focus means saying no to a hundred good ideas.”