Skip to main content

Thank you for visiting nature.com. You are using a browser version with limited support for CSS. To obtain the best experience, we recommend you use a more up to date browser (or turn off compatibility mode in Internet Explorer). In the meantime, to ensure continued support, we are displaying the site without styles and JavaScript.

  • Feature
  • Published:

Dentistry and mental health: The need for psychological interventions

BDJ In Practice volume 36, pages 16–17 (2023)Cite this article

Ahead of International Day of Happiness on 20 March, dentist, positive psychologist and founder of Mind Ninja, Dr Mahrukh Khwaja,1 reiterates the importance of resilience and wellbeing training amongst dental professionals

It has never been more important to double down on positive wellbeing. Dentistry is a high-stress vocation with elevated rates of anxiety, depression, burnout, suicidal thoughts and self-harm.1,2,3,4 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.5

This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution

Access options

Buy this article

  • Purchase on Springer Link
  • Instant access to full article PDF
Buy now

Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout

References

  1. Toon M, Collin V, Whitehead P, Reynolds L. An analysis of stress and burnout in UK general dental practitioners: sub dimensions and causes. Br Dent J 2019; 226: 125-130.

  2. Collin V, O'Selmo E, Whitehead P. Stress, psychological distress, burnout and perfectionism in UK dental students. Br Dent J 2020; 229: 605-614.

  3. Rada R E, Johnson-Leong C. Stress, burnout, anxiety and depression among dentists. J Am Dent Assoc 2004; 135: 788-794.

  4. Alexander R E. Stress-related suicide by dentists and other health care workers. Fact or folklore? J Am Dent Assoc 2001; 132: 786-794.

  5. Chapman H, Chipchase S, Bretherton R. The evaluation of a continuing professional development package for primary care dentists designed to reduce stress, build resilience and improve clinical decision-making. Br Dent J 2017; 223: 261-271.

  6. Kunzler A M, Helmreich I, Chmitorz A. et al. Psychological interventions to foster resilience in healthcare professionals. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2020; doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD012527.pub2

  7. Astin J A. Stress reduction through mindfulness meditation. Effects on psychological symptomatology, sense of control, and spiritual experiences. Psychother Psychosom 1997; 66: 97-106.

  8. Shapiro S L, Schwartz G E, Bonner G. Effects of mindfulness-based stress reduction on medical and premedical students. J Behav Med 1998; 21: 581-599.

  9. Teasdale J D, Segal Z V, Williams J M, Ridgeway V A, Soulsby J M, Lau M A. Prevention of relapse/recurrence in major depression by mindfulness-based cognitive therapy. J Consult Clin Psychol 2000; 68: 615-623.

  10. Goodman M J, Schorling J B. A mindfulness course decreases burnout and improves well-being among healthcare providers. Int J Psychiatry Med 2012; 43: 119-128.

  11. Mache S, Bernburg M, Baresi L, Groneberg D A. Evaluation of self-care skills training and solution-focused counselling for health professionals in psychiatric medicine: a pilot study. Int J Psychiatry Clin Pract 2016; 20: 239-244.

  12. Kay E J, Lowe J C. A survey of stress levels, self-perceived health and health-related behaviours of UK dental practitioners in 2005. Br Dent J 2008; doi: 10.1038/sj.bdj.2008.490.

  13. Newton J T, Baghaienaini F, Goodwin S R, Invest J, Lubbock M, Marouf Saghakhaneh N. Stress in dental school: a survey of students. Dent Update 1994; 21: 162-164.

  14. Bissett G. Dentistry Census - Leaving no question unanswered in dentistry. 20 January 2022. Available at: https://dentistry.co.uk/2022/01/20/dentistry-census-leaving-no-question-unanswered/ (accessed February 2023).

  15. Mental Health Wellness in Dentistry Framework. 2021. Available at: https://mhwd.org/ (accessed February 2023).

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. London, UK

    Mahrukh Khwaja

Authors
  1. Mahrukh Khwaja
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Khwaja, M. Dentistry and mental health: The need for psychological interventions. BDJ In Pract 36, 16–17 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41404-023-1910-4

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41404-023-1910-4

Search

Advanced search

Quick links