Mental health is a growing concern in our world today. It is also becoming an increasingly significant focus in our roles as dental professionals as we attempt to navigate the pressures of modern life that may impact our patients’ oral and systemic wellbeing. The mental health of young people is a particular concern, with the latest figures painting an alarming picture.
A diverse problem
Sadly, mental health challenges can present at any age. Government figures from 2023 suggest that approximately 1 in 5 young people aged 8-25 years had a probable mental disorder.[i]
It seems that women may be at higher risk. In the 17-25 year age group, rates for probable mental disorder were twice as high for women than men. Eating disorders were also identified in 12.5% of 17-19 year olds, with females four times more likely to be affected. That said, there are several reasons why reports of mental health conditions may be lower among males, including perceived stigmas and a reduced willingness to seek help. As such, it is important to appreciate that many boys and young men remain at risk.
Improvements needed
As understanding of mental health among young people has improved, so too have the services available. However, work is continuing to ensure there are sufficient resources for those who may seek them.
A report by YoungMinds[ii] found that around 70% of young people sought mental health support in the two years preceding the report. More worryingly, almost 60% of these individuals felt that their mental health had gotten worse while they were waiting for professional help, with 15% attempting to end their life during this time.
Despite massive inroads in understanding and acceptance of mental health, these statistics highlight the importance of continued funding and training in the field. It is everyone’s responsibility to keep the conversation going and ensure that anyone needing help is able to access it.
In the dental practice
For dental professionals, this responsibility can be fulfilled in a number of ways.
Firstly, it is essential to have an up-to-date knowledge of the oral manifestations and impacts of key mental health conditions like eating disorders, depression and anxiety. This can be improved with training for the team and creating a safe space for discussion among the staff.
It is also crucial to build rapport with patients from a young age to encourage their trust in you as a healthcare provider. This will prevent the dental visit adding to any stress they feel in later life, and hopefully give them confidence to seek advice about their wellbeing should they need it.
Finally, providing information on mental health, sharing links to reliable resources, displaying posters and advocating for mental health online will also establish your practice as a source of support for those who may be suffering. Any one of these may trigger a conversation with a young patient, or give them the confidence to ask for information.
Youth Mental Health Day is on 19th September. Why not take the opportunity to show your young patients that there is always support available should they need it?
EndoCare, led by Dr Michael Sultan, is one of the UK’s most trusted Specialist Endodontist practices. Through the use of the latest technologies and techniques, the highly-trained team can offer exceptional standards of care – always putting the patient first. What’s more, EndoCare is a dependable referral centre, to which dentists from across the country send their patients for the best in specialist endodontic treatment.
[i] Mental health of children and young people in England, 2023 – wave 4 follow up to the 2017 survey. November 2023. NHS Digital. https://digital.nhs.uk/data-and-information/publications/statistical/mental-health-of-children-and-young-people-in-england/2023-wave-4-follow-up [Accessed August 2025]
[ii] Deconstructing the system: young people’s voices on mental health, society and inequality. Youngminds. https://www.youngminds.org.uk/about-us/reports-and-impact/deconstructing-the-system/?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=21860495516&gbraid=0AAAAADk6C8dituCUVmYzkGk0KYcXELeHO&gclid=Cj0KCQjw5JXFBhCrARIsAL1ckPsjDGzg6c03-VdFGl1_NdLCpZ6tmiDv0BowUE2d-CH1yRBYVrHW8h0aAlOiEALw_wcB [Accessed August 2025]
