British Dental Journal highlights mental health of dental pr

British Dental Journal highlights mental health of dental professionals in new collection of articles

The new collection marks an important step towards prioritising the mental health of dental professionals. (Image: Marcin Balcerzak/Shutterstock)

Dental Tribune International

Wed. 18 December 2024

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LONDON, England: The average person might think of the dentist as a fairly benign figure. Whatever fears and anxieties one faces as a patient, the dentist is there to render assistance in an effective and hopefully caring manner. However, the patient seldom considers that dentistry may, in fact, exact a telling cost upon the mental health of those who practise it. At the forefront of attempts to raise awareness about the psychological hazards that dentists face is the British Dental Journal (BDJ), which has recently published a new collection of articles on the topic.

In recent years, there has been a significant increase in the acknowledgment and awareness of mental health in society. Mental health challenges are now rightfully regarded as a normal and routine aspect of contemporary life, especially in urban settings. It is thus unsurprising to note that recent studies have assessed the dental profession to be “a high-stress vocation with elevated rates of anxiety, depression, burn-out, suicidal thoughts and self-harm.” The author of the article continued: “Chronic workplace stress is a growing concern as it can severely damage the mental health of dental professionals and negatively impact their ability to provide appropriate care.”

In line with this emerging focus, the BDJ has launched a collection of articles with the aim of gathering research on the topic in one centralised location. Established in conjunction with the publication of a seminal study into the mental health of dental practice managers and receptionists in UK dental clinics, the collection seeks not only to raise awareness about the psychological risks involved within dentistry but also to foster a positive, balanced and healthy working environment where dental professionals are able to lead fulfilling lives.

While one cannot ever expect to expunge stress from the modern working environment, the BDJ should be applauded for emphatically placing this crucial issue on the radar of dental professionals, a vital first step in ameliorating their ongoing struggles in this area.