Dentistry’s Relationship with Mental Health and Why Nobody Should be Afraid to Open Up
The job of a dentist is without doubt one of society’s most important. But it can also be one of the most stressful and loneliest. Treating multiple patients a day (many of whom don’t want to be there), looking after their oral health and managing their expectations isn’t easy.
Throw into the mix time pressures and financial pressures, and it’s not hard to see how the job of a dentist can be both physically and emotionally exhausting.
Fatigue and burnout have been highlighted by the BDA on several occasions, including in 2017 when it said, "It is clear from the existing pool of evidence that the psychosocial working conditions of both community dentists and GDPs place them at risk of occupational stress.This can have negative implications for dentists’ mental health, increasing their risk of emotional distress and anxiety.”
The situation was made a lot worse by the Coronavirus pandemic, which in many ways the industry is still recovering from.
As well as being harmful to DCPs, stress and anxiety can also negatively impact patient outcomes.
“Previous evidence in other healthcare sectors shows that staff wellbeing is linked directly to patient experience of care,” says the GDC.
Silver linings
Mental health is a major issue in the wider society. According to the mental health charity Mind, approximately 1 in 4 people in the UK experience a mental health problem each year.
Fortunately, there has been an increase in awareness around mental health and much work is being to tackle the stigma associated with mental health problems and encourage people to seek help without fear of judgement or embarrassment.
Events like Mental Health Awareness Week, which runs from 13 to 19 May, are helping to find and address the sources of mental health problems so that people and communities can thrive.
There are now resources available specially for dentists and healthcare workers, some of which we have highlighted below. All the links are clickable and will take you straight to the website you want.
- Support for Dental Team – A UK-wide resource for wellbeing support for the dental team.
- NHS Employers: Keep Having a Good Day – A tool to help you think about your emotional health.
- Confidental Helpline – Emotional first aid for dentists in distress.
Remember, asking for help is a sign of strength, not weakness.
Food for thought
Why not consider some of the following ideas to boost mental wellbeing.
- Go on a course - It might be helpful to undertake a course in mental health and wellbeing to enable you to better notice signs of distress in your team.
- Mindfulness - Practising mindfulness techniques, such as deep breathing exercises or meditation, can aid in preventing burnout, increase job satisfaction and boost mental resilience.
- Talking - Opening about mental health struggles, seeking support and fostering open conversations can help eradicate stigma and create a supportive environment where mental health is no longer a silent struggle.
- Sense of purpose - Dentists provide an invaluable service to society and it's important to remind yourself of this. Why not share things that have gone well, for example patient compliments or successful treatment results on a gratitude board or in a team meeting.
- Go green – Recent research has found that people associate sustainable actions with positive emotions, such as happiness and fulfilment. Why not review what ways you could make your practice eco-friendlier.
