DDU launches new employee wellbeing helpline for dental members
NewsPosted by: Dental Design 21st July 2020
The Dental Defence Union (DDU) is supporting its dental members as they prepare to return to work with the introduction of its new, free, employee assistance helpline.
The helpline, delivered through Peninsula Business Services Limited, provides 24-hour, confidential advice, support and information on areas such as:
- Financial well-being
- Legal information
- Family issues and childcare support
In a recent DDU survey, the majority of dental professionals who responded (68%) stated that their stress and anxiety levels have increased since the pandemic. This together with the unprecedented challenges now faced by dentists and the wider dental team, demonstrate that a wellbeing helpline is much needed at this time.
John Makin, head of the DDU said: “As our recent wellbeing survey demonstrates, many dental professionals are currently dealing with increased anxiety levels and they face extraordinarily difficult circumstances as they prepare to return to work. While it is important to share concerns with family, friends and colleagues, it may also be beneficial to speak to a third party confidentially about issues. This is why we are offering an employee wellbeing helpline to all our members. We hope it will be a valuable benefit.”
This employee wellbeing helpline is just one benefit being introduced by the DDU. Another benefit is GROUPCARE, a practice scheme, which provides support and savings for the whole dental team and is free to open where at least half the dentists in the practice are DDU members.
Benefits of the new GROUPCARE scheme include free practice manager membership; 5% off DDU membership for all members within the practice; an additional 50% saving on dental nurse membership; a range of free CPD practice presentations delivered online and a dedicated local dental liaison manager. However, if all the dentists in a practice are DDU members, they can access additional benefits including 10% off DDU membership and free extended vicarious liability.
John Makin, continues: “GROUPCARE enables a dental practice to access many additional benefits from the DDU such as free practice-based seminars on topics including, good record keeping, dealing with challenging patients and preventing and managing complaints. Also,GROUPCARE members can take advantage of expert dento-legal advice for the whole team.”
To access the employee wellbeing helpline please visit theddu.com/guidance-and-advice/employment-law
