UK dental professionals report disrespectful behaviour

Dental Tribune International

Thu. 25 January 2024

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LONDON, UK: A recent survey conducted by Dental Protection—a leading protection organisation for doctors, dentists and other healthcare professionals—has found that dental professionals in the UK recently experienced an increase in disrespectful behaviour from colleagues compared with during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. The organisation emphasises that such an experience can impact the mental well-being of dental professionals, potentially leading to poorer patient care or absenteeism from work. To support its members, Dental Protection provides a counselling service tailored for those in the dental profession.

The survey was completed by 1,379 Dental Protection members between 20 March and 17 April 2023. The respondents reported that 30% of them had observed or encountered an increase in disrespectful behaviour from colleagues, 35% having witnessed or been subjected to such behaviour in the last 12 months. Among those who had experienced or observed disrespectful behaviour from colleagues, 65% reported that it had had a significant or moderate impact on their mental well-being.

Dr Raj Rattan, MBE, dental director at Dental Protection, commented in a press release that poor mental well-being is concerning for the dental professional and can have a negative effect on the patient relationship and patient care. It may result in absenteeism for dental professionals, and those severely affected might even consider leaving the dental workforce to pursue a career in a different field.

“During challenging times, the need for civility and respect is even greater. A difficult day can feel much worse if interactions with colleagues are strained, or if you feel you have been treated disrespectfully,” he added.

“We know that for any team to succeed, each member must feel valued, respected and supported. Maintaining team harmony in the workplace is the key to organisational success and dentistry is no exception,” he emphasised.

Dr Rattan encourages dental professionals to look into the Civility Saves Lives campaign. “While, as the name suggests, it is more aimed at the medical community, its key principles apply to all working in healthcare—namely that when we are in a team which values and respects us, the benefits impact us and our patients,” he explained, continuing: “Importantly, it also reminds us that incivility encompasses a range of behaviours such as rudeness, verbal abuse and bullying. We should also be mindful of cyber-incivility which violates our ethical duty to maintain mutual respect within the team.”

In addition, he recommends that Dental Protection members facing mental well-being concerns stemming from interactions in the workplace use the organisation’s counselling service and other well-being support. “The service is provided through a third-party partner and is completely confidential,” he said.