When your mother-in-law asks for your candid opinion on that perfectly awful dress she just bought, honesty is probably not your best policy—at least unless you are a master at sugar-coating the facts! In your dental practice, however, honesty is the most important policy you can use.  

Be honest with your staff. Make clear everything you expect them to do for you and your patients and make certain they understand why you are asking them to do it. Studies have clearly shown that the reasons behind even very unpleasant chores are explained to the people who must do them, the chores are better performed and the people performing them are happier.

Be honest with your patients. If you know that a certain procedure may not do what your patient hopes it will do, say so. Sometimes patients, who lack your expertise and education, expect too much.  Better to prepare them for realistic results than to hold your tongue.

Finally, be honest with yourself. As good as you are, no one should be allowed to believe you work is completely transformative, not even you!