Mental Health and Wellness in Dentistry
By Edwin Kim , MD , MRO , Physicians Health Program
EDITOR ’ S NOTE :
The PDA New Dentist Committee collaborated with the Physicians Health Program ( PHP ) to host a “ Mental Health and Burnout ” webinar in April 2022 . This webinar focused on recognizing and finding ways to cope with personal stress , as well as providing an overview of mental illness that pose a great risk to dental professionals . A mental health electronic pamphlet was created that contained information discussed during the webinar and was sent to attendees . The webinar received great reviews and PDA wishes to collaborate with the PHP in the future to provide dentists with wellness resources .
Wellness , according to the World Health Organization , is an optimal state of health in an individual . The term describes a lifestyle in which an individual achieves the fullest potential physically , psychologically , socially , spiritually and economically . This state may manifest as fulfilling one ’ s role expectations in their family , community , places of worship , workplace and other settings . One way to describe the concept of wellness factors in multiple dimensions , including emotional well-being , physical well-being , social well-being , financial well-being and community well-being . Finally , when thinking of wellness , we are reminded that this is a state of being that exists beyond the simple absence of illness or distress . In a state of well-being , one may experience the presence of positive emotions and moods , the absence of negative emotions , a sense of contentment and satisfaction , fulfillment and positive functioning . In short , wellness and well-being aid in living a thriving life .
One important aspect of achieving or maintaining a sense of wellness is addressing mental health , stress and burnout . While the mere absence of distress and illness does not define wellness , achieving emotional and physical health or well-being are at the core . In this post-pandemic era , there is growing effort to help dentists identify warning signs that may detract from this state of wellness . The first step is to characterize the presence of factors that detract from engaging fully in their personal and professional life .
According to the 2021 American Dental Association ’ s Dentist Health and Well-Being Survey , the majority of dentists are reporting moderate or severe stress at work . And while the same survey demonstrated that most dentists are satisfied with their jobs , the relationship of stress to dentistry must be considered . Perhaps unsurprisingly , dental students and dental professionals are not immune to stress .
When left unmitigated , high levels of stress can lead to or worsen symptoms of burnout , mental health concerns , and substance use disorders . Never , in this post-pandemic era , has there been a better time to focus on the mental well-being and wellness of dental students and professionals .
Again , stress in itself is not a harm . We can recognize that a healthy dose of stress is often a component of one ’ s success in achieving in school and in one ’ s career . Metering this stress is a component of remaining attentive and productive in practice and getting tasks done . Stress , however , comes with a cost physically , emotionally , and cognitively which must be replenished . Finding ways to de-stress and balance overwhelming stress are often critical to one ’ s ongoing achievement and engagement in the field . An imbalance of unremitting or unbalanced stress begins to have negative consequences when too much stress is accumulated without relief or recourse .
20 SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2022 | PENNSYLVANIA DENTAL JOURNAL