Why We Don’t Offer Saturday or Late-Night Dental Appointments: A Love Letter to Balance, Health & Humanity

At Dorado Dental Wellness, we often get asked why we don’t offer appointments on Saturdays or late into the evenings. We understand that scheduling around work, school, and busy family life can be challenging. But we’d love to share the why behind this decision—because it’s not about saying “no.” It’s about saying “yes” to a deeper commitment: to providing truly exceptional care, for the long haul.

We believe the best healthcare happens when providers are healthy, whole, and supported. That’s why we’re serious about balancing our dedication to our patients with honoring our own mental, emotional, and physical well-being.

Being a healthcare provider—especially one who works closely with children and families—is both a gift and a responsibility. But it can also be deeply demanding. Research shows that burnout among healthcare workers is at an all-time high, with emotional exhaustion and compassion fatigue impacting not only our ability to show up as our best selves, but also the long-term sustainability of our careers.

Consider this: Every day, we welcome people carrying anxiety, insecurity, pain, and overwhelm. Children come in scared. Parents are worried. Adults are stressed, sick, or exhausted. As compassionate providers, we don’t just treat teeth—we hold space. We meet people where they are. That requires focus, presence, and heart. And in order to offer that level of care consistently, we have to recharge.

We choose not to run ourselves into the ground with extended hours because we want to show up with fresh minds, open hearts, and grounded energy. We want to coach your child through their most confident dental visit yet. We want to empower you with the research and information to transform your health. That level of service doesn’t come from burnout. It comes from balance.

So here’s a little reminder: We’re human too. We’re daughters, friends, sisters, and yes—most of us are moms. We need time to rest. To laugh. To play. To be in community. To pursue hobbies that bring us joy and help us stay resilient. This isn’t just about work-life balance—it’s about sustainability. We’re not here to hustle for a few years and flame out. We’re here to serve this community for decades to come.

Thank you for understanding. Thank you for trusting us. And thank you for helping us redefine what healthy, compassionate, human healthcare can look like.

With love and respect,

The Dorado Dental Wellness Team