Stress remains a constant concern for us all. Today’s world is fast-paced, complex and rapidly developing, making it more difficult than ever to keep up. As a society, there s an increasing number of potential triggers that can cause our palms to sweat and our blood pressure to rise. Although a little stress is perfectly normal, its ongoing presence is not good for our health.
Stress in numbers
According to 2024 research,[i] one in five people over the age of 16 feel stressed every single day, with 63% stressed out at least every week.
Sadly, stress doesn’t discriminate, affecting many individuals from all walks of life. For example, 76% of 16-24-year-olds, 74% of 25-34-year-olds and 76% of 35-44-year-olds face stress weekly. This only starts to peter off for those over the age of 45, at 68% for up to 54-year-olds and 47% for those 55+.
People living across the UK experience similar levels of stress too, although those in Northern Ireland, the South East of England, Yorkshire and the Humber, and the North West seem to be worst affected, with a respective 35%, 25%, 23% and 21% stressed daily.
So, what is driving this stress epidemic?
Though there are many potential causes, studies[ii] suggest that around 40% of UK adults are stressed about not routinely getting enough sleep. Just under this number are affected by money worries, while about 34% are stressed by their family or significant other. Also high up the list is work-related stress, with 25% of adults facing unmanageable workloads that frequently cause them anxiety.
The addition of dentistry
On top of all this, it’s no secret that dentistry is a particularly stressful profession. When looking at the specific causes affecting dentists, the BDA’s 2019 survey[iii] found that almost 80% of respondents worried about litigation, 75% about dissatisfied patients and 75% were also concerned about making a mistake. Other top troubles included red tape, concerns about the GDC, NHS targets and running behind schedule.
For those who run the practice in addition to practising dentistry, the increased responsibilities create further sources of anguish. From staff management and recruitment challenges to balancing the books, investing in equipment and doing all this with some sort of home life can be incredibly stressful.
Avoidable consequences
The potential impact of work-related stress is significant, which is why prevention is crucial for all. Poorly managing stress and allowing symptoms to accumulate can result in physical, emotional, intellectual and behavioural consequences. These include sleep disturbance, gastrointestinal upset, increased blood pressure, irritability, loss of concentration, lack of motivation, loss of memory, poor decision-making, substance misuse, isolation and more.[iv]
Of increasing concern of late has been the effect of stress on mental health, which in turn can have a devastating impact on quality of life. Statistics show that more than half of adults who felt stress have also felt depressed and anxious. As many as 16% also reported having self-harmed and 32% had experienced suicidal thoughts.[v]
Stopping stress in its tracks
Stopping stress in its tracksFor all these reasons and more, it is important that dental professionals not only recognise their stressors, but also know how to manage them effectively.
Where possible, the first step should be to tackle the source. That might mean reducing your workload, delegating tasks to colleagues or bringing in more staff to help run the business.
The next step is to consider coping strategies to make it easier to manage the stress that you’re feeling. This can be easier said than done, but some straightforward techniques are available to encourage some calm in the storm:[vi] [vii]
- Eat a balanced diet, focusing on healthy choices
- Schedule physical activity/exercise into your routine
- Manage your time by being realistic with your to-do list
- Talk to someone if you need help or are just feeling overwhelmed
- Help someone else who seems to be more stressed than usual
- Breathing exercises can be useful in a moment of mental or physical chaos
- Spend time outdoors to further support the health of your mind and body
If the above is not helping enough, there are various options to seek professional support as well. A therapist or councillor will talk through your concerns and guide you to practical solutions that reduce the impact of stress on your everyday life.
Not just about patients
While everything we do as dental professionals is for the benefit of our patients, it’s important that we look ourselves as well. Stress plays an unavoidably large part in our lives today, but that doesn’t mean it should take over completely. By recognising when things are getting too much and taking a proactive approach to managing our stress levels, we can all enjoy a much higher quality of life.
For further information about the endodontic referral services available from EndoCare, please call 020 7224 0999 or visit www.endocare.co.uk
[i] Forth. The Great British Stress Epidemic – 2024 Statistics. February 2024. https://www.forthwithlife.co.uk/blog/great-britain-and-stress/ [Accessed February 2025]
[ii] Ciphr. Workplace stress statistics in the UK in 2024. place-stress-statistics [Accessed February 2025]
[iii] Collin, V., Toon, M., O’Selmo, E. et al. A survey of stress, burnout and well-being in UK dentists. Br Dent J 226, 40–49 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.bdj.2019.6
[iv] University of Cambridge. Human resources. Effects of work-related stress. https://www.hr.admin.cam.ac.uk/policies-procedures/managing-stress-and-promoting-wellbeing-work-policy/policy-statement/effects [Accessed February 2025]
[v] Mental health Foundation. Stress: statistics. Results of our 2028 study. https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/explore-mental-health/statistics/stress-statistics [Accessed February 2025]
[vi] British Red Cross. Understanding and dealing with stress. https://www.redcross.org.uk/get-help/get-help-with-loneliness/wellbeing-support/understanding-dealing-stress [Accessed February 2025]
[vii] Pearson DG, Craig T. The great outdoors? Exploring the mental health benefits of natural environments. Front Psychol. 2014 Oct 21;5:1178. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2014.01178. PMID: 25374550; PMCID: PMC4204431.
