Strategies for Managing Stress, Promoting Self-Care & Maintaining Work-life Balance in the Dental Profession

How can dental professionals, professional organizations, and dental or dental hygiene schools prevent or alleviate the occupational stressors that often lead to burnout? There are various preventive strategies and interventions to address mental health challenges resulting from workplace burnout. Let's examine these approaches.

Continuing Education Programs: Many dental schools and professional organizations offer continuing education programs. Such programs address mental health and wellness topics specific to dental professionals and workplace stressors. These programs may include in-person workshops, seminars, webinars, or online courses dealing with stress management, burnout prevention, self-care strategies, and accessing mental health support from mental health professionals and supportive colleagues. For example, the American Dental Hygienists’ Association offers dental hygienists a professional development course titled Mental Health & The Dental Hygienist Certification Program.
Employer Resources: Employer resources may include dental practices, higher education institutions, professional resources, and support services for the mental health and well-being of employees and students. These resources could include access to employee assistance programs (EAPs), on-site or virtual counseling services, mind-body wellness programs, and exercise programs. For example, Tufts University School of Dental Medicine provides students with mind-body practices to become "consummate professionals," assisting in improving their services to patients.²⁶
Online Platforms and Websites: There are several online platforms and websites dedicated to supporting the mental health and well-being of healthcare professionals, including dental professionals. Websites like Dentist's Health Support Trust (UK), Dentist Health, Wellness & Success (USA), or the Dentist Wellness Institute offer resources, articles, self-assessment tools, and links to mental health services.
Peer Support Networks: Connecting with fellow dental professionals can provide valuable support and camaraderie. Consider joining, or forming, peer support groups or networks where professionals can share experiences, discuss challenges, and offer support to one another.
Consulting Mental Health Professionals: Seeking guidance and counseling from mental health professionals, such as psychologists, counselors, or therapists who specialize in treating healthcare professionals, can provide personalized support and strategies for managing stress, burnout, and other mental health challenges.
Mental Health Hotlines and Helplines: National, regional, and state-wide mental health hotlines and helplines provide support and guidance to individuals in distress. These services may offer free and confidential counseling, crisis intervention, and referrals to local mental health resources.

Moreover, the National Mental Health Hotline²⁷ helps those who are experiencing a mental health crisis. A mental health crisis is defined as a situation when an individual is experiencing or showing emotional distress, has thoughts of harm to oneself or others, is out of touch with reality, is unable to function daily, and cannot feel a sense of calm within their body or mind.²⁷ Examples of physical and or mental distress in this category may include talking about suicide without imminent danger, substance use/illicit drug use, discontinuing psychiatric medications, low mood (or depression), and eating disorders. If there is doubt that you (or a colleague) are in imminent danger or exhibiting abnormal behaviors within the dental office or in other settings, call 911 immediately.

Furthermore, the 988 Lifeline provides individuals with free 24/7 and confidential support for those in distress. The 988 Lifeline also provides prevention and crisis resources, including suicide prevention, and presents best practices for professionals in the United States. So, what happens when people call the 988 Lifeline? First, callers will hear a message informing them that they have reached the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. Next, a skilled, trained crisis worker, who is employed at the 988 Lifeline network crisis center closest to their geographic location, will answer the phone. This crisis worker will listen to callers, understand how their emotional distress (problem) is affecting them, provide support, and share resources that may be helpful. To hear the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline message via phone, access https://988lifeline.org/talk-to-someone-now/ People can also message the Lifeline network crisis by texting 988. Additional resources such as the 988 Lifeline Options For Deaf + Hard of Hearing, a veteran's crisis line, and a Línea 988 de Prevención del Suicidio y Crisis line can be found at 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.²⁷

Figure 4. 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline in English and Spanish

Source: https://988lifeline.org/get-help/

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