More than half of dental professionals in the UK (57%) who took part in a survey say their mental health is worse now than it was during the Covid-19 pandemic.

In the Dental Protection survey of over 1,300 dental professionals in the UK, one in two (50%) are also pessimistic about the future and more than half (56%) are considering their future in the dental profession due to mental wellbeing concerns.

Dr Yvonne Shaw, Deputy Dental Director at Dental Protection said: “The pandemic created an exceptionally tough time for dentistry, and we know that many practices are still grappling with the aftermath. It is hugely concerning that so many dental professionals who endured the challenges of the pandemic feel that their mental wellbeing is worse off today.

“We all have a part to play in supporting the dental team and looking to restore optimism and purpose in the profession. Many practices offered wellbeing support to dental teams during the pandemic. Wherever possible, this should continue.

“I would also encourage members facing mental wellbeing concerns to make use of our 24/7 counselling service and other wellbeing support which is a benefit of membership with Dental Protection. The service is provided through a third-party partner and is completely confidential.”

Dental professionals who participated in the Dental Protection survey commented anonymously:

“I am considering retirement a little earlier than I would have done a few years ago. It is the pressure of conforming to so many ever-changing rules whilst trying to give the patients the best and most appropriate care. The pandemic was hard but the guidance when it came was clear.”

“I found the first part of the pandemic the most stressful time when I could only give telephone advice. But now, there are too many patients and not enough time, so it’s close.”

“During the pandemic there was a sense of everyone striving towards a common goal. Now it’s back to watching our backs and defensive dentistry.”

“Patients’ expectations are very high since the pandemic. Dentists are leaving the profession and patients do not appear grateful when they are seen.”

Over a third (35%) of dental professionals say they are not able to take breaks during the day to eat or drink, and over half (52%) say the impact of exhaustion on the delivery of quality patient care is affecting their mental health, according to a new survey.

In the Dental Protection survey of over 1,300 dental professionals in the UK, over a third (36%) also say fear of dentolegal issues arising from staff shortages is having a negative impact on their mental health.

Dr Yvonne Shaw, Deputy Dental Director at Dental Protection said: “Dentistry is still a rewarding profession – being able to improve oral health and the quality of life of the public is a privilege which instils a sense of professional satisfaction. However, morale in the profession seems to be at a low ebb, and wellbeing concerns are central to this.

“Demand for dental services remains high, the environment is increasingly challenging and there is a limit on what can be done within available capacity. Clearly some dental professionals are not taking breaks during the working day and are skipping meals, foregoing essential nourishment as a result. This is exacerbated by work overload and staff shortages.

“Dental professionals are among the most dedicated healthcare professionals, so I am not surprised that many put the concerns of their patients before their own; however, not stopping to eat and drink is concerning both for the health of the dental team and the adverse impact this can have on the delivery of care.

“One of the many problems with staff shortages is the knock-on effect on the mental health of remaining staff who risk becoming exhausted and/or demotivated. Over half of our members tell us they are worrying about how exhaustion and burnout are impacting the safe delivery of patient care. The effect of not being able to provide optimum standards of care on any healthcare professional’s mental health – due to external factors and pressures outside of their control – cannot be overstated.

“Many members also tell us they work in fear of becoming embroiled in dentolegal issues arising due to staff shortages, and that this constant worry is having a detrimental impact on their mental health. I would like to reassure all members that Dental Protection is here to offer support in the event of a claim, complaint or other dentolegal issue arising from your professional practice.

“I would also encourage members experiencing work-related stress to make use of our 24/7 counselling service and other wellbeing support which is a benefit of membership with Dental Protection. The service is provided through a third-party partner and is completely confidential.”

Dental professionals who participated in the Dental Protection survey commented anonymously:

“It is apparent to me that the dental industry is a hostile place to work. I fear answering my phone or checking my emails, waiting for developments in the dentolegal case against me, or heaven forbid any further cases should arise. I genuinely try my hardest every day and always put my patients first, and genuinely believe 99.9% of the patients I treat are happy, but after one dentolegal case my confidence is at rock bottom.”

“Staff shortages are putting pressure on other staff members.”

“I cannot recruit an associate dentist to look after patients and meet targets and so I face a big clawback which will have a severe financial impact on the running of the business.”

“Being a young dentist, dentolegal issues are looming over my head. Especially from patients who have worked the system to their advantage and attempted the same techniques (esp. with young dentists or female dentists or dentists of colour). The anxiety has affected the way I work, my professional goals and physical wellbeing.”

Paula Rix from Medical Protection Society (MPS) – which Dental Protection is part of – has won the Community Award at the prestigious 2023 Menopause Friendly Employer Awards. Now in its second year, the 2023 Menopause Friendly Employer Awards recognise organisations and individuals whose commitment and determination have succeeded in providing support, solutions and resources that normalise menopause in the workplace.

The panel for the Menopause Friendly Community Award category were moved by what Paula and other nominees had done to demonstrate their passion, drive and commitment to bring about significant change among their organisations, friends and families. Many of the finalists have turned a difficult personal experience into something positive and beneficial for their colleagues. Paula is an operational lead focused on driving improvements in the support provided to members.

MPS was also a finalist for the Best Engagement Campaign Award, alongside organisations including BT, Colt Technology Services and the Department for Education. The judges recognised a wide range of creative campaigns, all serving to raise awareness and inspire conversations about menopause in the workplace. Dental Protection’s 2022 engagement campaign called for more training, support and flexible working arrangements for dental professionals going through the menopause, to reduce the risk of a potential exodus of passionate and skilled professionals from the workforce.

Professor Dame Jane Dacre, MPS President, said: “This award is a much-deserved recognition for the drive and commitment Paula has demonstrated to changing the culture around menopause in the workplace, including establishing a Menopause Network, training, events and policy. The work Paula started and continues to drive forward is directly responsible for the successful achievement of Dental Protection’s industry-recognised Menopause Friendly Accreditation in 2022. 

“Her work and passion also inspired our external campaign, which enabled us to take our internal learnings outside our workplace to influence better menopause awareness and support across the healthcare arena. We are delighted this external work was also recognised as a finalist in the Best Engagement Campaign category.”

Hosted by Henpicked: Menopause in the Workplace and powered by headline sponsors HSBC UK, first direct, M&S Bank and Peppy, the industry-recognised Menopause Friendly Employer Awards were presented by broadcaster Louise Minchin on Thursday September 14 2023 at the Royal Lancaster Hotel. Over 350 guests gathered there while another 250 joined virtually from across the country.

In a Dental Protection survey of over 1,300 UK dental professionals, more than half (57%) say they have experienced or witnessed verbal or physical abuse from patients or their relatives in the past 12 months, with 64% of those saying the incidents resulted from frustration over long waiting times for appointments and 59% saying it related to the treatment they received.

In addition, 58% of those who have experienced or witnessed abuse in the past 12 months said it affected their mental health, and over a third (37%) said an increase in abuse and intimidation from patients has made them reconsider their career in dentistry.

Nearly a third of dental professionals (31%) also feel abuse against dental professionals is not taken seriously by police.

Dental Protection, part of the Medical Protection Society (MPS) – the world’s leading protection organisation supporting over 300,000 healthcare professionals – called on the Government and police to take “every possible step” to tackle the issue.

Dr Raj Rattan, Dental Director at Dental Protection said: “Patients who are seeking dental care either for routine care or dental emergencies are becoming increasingly frustrated because of long waiting times and closed lists. Dental professionals continue to offer quality care in a challenging environment but there is a limit when it comes to available capacity. While most patient interactions are convivial it is alarming to learn that a high proportion of dental professionals experience verbal and physical abuse from patients – including, as reported, being threatened with stabbing.

“Experiencing and witnessing abuse can have a lasting and profound impact on mental health and this can be damaging for the individual as well as for patient care. It can also result in dental professionals needing to take time off work, and even quitting dentistry altogether.

“The zero-tolerance policy with regard to abuse, aggression and violence must be rigorously enforced so dental professionals feel their safety is the first priority. The policy must be visible to patients and should emphasise the importance of mutual respect between staff and patients. We encourage practices to provide support and a forum where those who witness or experience any kind of abuse from patients can talk about it and seek an appropriate remedy. The team needs to be aware of what support is available and how to access it.

“Police and Crime Commissioners, and police forces across the UK, should consider how they can support local dental practices; for example, by encouraging reporting of abuse and offering practical advice on recognising warning signs or de-escalation techniques. The Government and police must take every possible step to tackle this issue. If we don’t act, we may lose many more skilled, committed dental professionals at a time when the industry can ill-afford it.”

Dental professionals who participated in the Dental Protection survey commented anonymously:

“I was physically threatened because a patient could not access care anywhere due to closed lists. We involved the police and the patient received a caution.”

“Patients are frustrated at not getting NHS ortho due to lack of consultants and practitioners. I can understand why they are upset it’s just hard being the ‘verbal’ punching bag – these services should not be postcode dependant.”

“Patients are verbally abusive when informed about the lack of capacity for NHS treatment. They accuse staff of being uncaring.”

“A patient was told his orthodontic treatment was to be terminated due to poor compliance. He became verbally abusive and threatened to stab us. We had to barricade ourselves in the surgery until the police arrived, and all the while he was trying to kick the surgery door in.”

Dental Protection – the world’s leading not-for-profit, member-owned dental defence organisation – is proud to achieve the industry-recognised Menopause Friendly Accreditation. 

Dental Protection, part of Medical Protection Society (MPS), serves and supports the profession, including looking after the physical health and emotional wellbeing of its members and people, most of whom are female.

Committed to understanding the various factors which can negatively affect a woman’s wellbeing and ability to flourish at work, MPS recognised the need to talk openly about menopause and put the right support in place for those who need it.

MPS became a Menopause Friendly member in 2022 and embarked upon implementing operational and cultural changes to support its colleagues.

A wide range of interventions created and led by colleagues include:

• Establishing a MenoChat group, which provides amazing peer-to-peer support and has been instrumental in helping people to manage the symptoms of menopause in a safe, friendly environment.
• ‘Ask me anything’ sessions which have been significant in normalising the conversation.
• The formation of a Menopause Network which seeks to understand the wider impacts on colleagues and the business, build awareness and smash taboos.
• Training and supporting Menopause Advocates.
• Conducting Menopause Awareness training for senior leaders, managers and colleagues.
• Calling for more training, support and flexible working arrangements for dentists and dental professionals going through the menopause, to reduce the risk of a potential exodus of passionate and skilled clinicians from the workforce.
• Providing free, confidential counselling for their members who are struggling with menopause symptoms at work.

“We’ve seen perceptions change and know people now feel confident to open up and talk about menopause with their peers and manager,” says Professor Dame Jane Dacre, MPS President. “We decided to apply for the Menopause Friendly Accreditation to show our members, colleagues and stakeholders that we take this very seriously as a long-term commitment and aren’t simply following the media trend or ticking a box,” she says.

High standards

The Menopause Friendly Accreditation, established by Henpicked: Menopause In The Workplace (www.menopausefriendly.co.uk), recognises high standards and proven practices that embrace menopause in the workplace. Employers are required to demonstrate evidence of their effectiveness in six key areas, namely: culture, policies and practices, training, engagement, facilities and evaluation. As such, the Menopause Friendly Accreditation is truly meaningful and considered by many as a mark of excellence for menopause in the workplace.

“Working with Henpicked and Menopause Friendly Accreditation has given MPS an excellent opportunity to learn best practice from, and benchmark ourselves against, other inclusive organisations,” says Lisa Davis, Executive Director of People and Culture at MPS.

Cultural change

“Our Menopause Network and monthly support groups have seen a high level of engagement in the topic – in team meetings, blogs and colleague forums,” continues Lisa. “Particularly good to see is that we have people from across the business, many of whom are not directly affected, asking what they can do to support their fellow colleagues, family members and friends.”

Being menopause friendly enriches an organisation’s culture and MPS believes an important first step is to assess where an organisation sits culturally and to what level people are aware of menopause and how the symptoms can add additional challenges to working.

“We have a diverse workforce spanning four continents,” says Jane. “We recognise menopause and the associated symptoms vary widely, and regional and cultural differences may further affect each woman’s experience.  Therefore, we took onboard feedback from our colleagues to ensure our support is fully inclusive and respectful of different views.

“One highlight for me was to learn from some colleagues that menopause is seen as a time to focus more on one’s spiritual and inner life and is something to be embraced. This refreshing and positive view is certainly one we share and encourage.”

To find out more about The Menopause Friendly Accreditation, visit www.menopausefriendly.co.uk

To find out more about MPS’s Supporting doctors through the menopause, click here.

Dental Protection has called for radical reform to how the General Dental Council (GDC) investigates dental professionals, as new research reveals significant numbers are experiencing suicidal thoughts or quitting dentistry as a result of their investigation.

In a Dental Protection survey of 125 dental professionals who have been investigated by the dental regulator in the last five years, 82% said the investigation had a detrimental impact on their mental health and 96% said it caused stress and anxiety. 14% quit dentistry due to the investigation, and a further 38% considered leaving. Over a quarter (28%) said they experienced suicidal thoughts during the investigation.

In the survey, 82% of respondents said the length of the investigation impacted their mental health most, with some lasting several years. 74% said the tone of communications from the GDC affected them most, with one respondent describing it as ‘cold and harsh’.

Dental Protection, which supports dental professionals with regulatory investigations, called on both the GDC and the Government to take urgent steps to reduce the number of dental professionals needlessly dragged through this process, and resolve cases more quickly.

Dr Raj Rattan, Dental Director at Dental Protection, said: “Dental Protection supports dental professionals from the moment a GDC complaint is received, to its conclusion at a hearing. We see how a GDC investigation takes its toll on the mental health of those involved day in day out, yet these survey results are still shocking and make for difficult reading.

“One dental professional quitting dentistry, or worse, experiencing suicidal thoughts due to a GDC investigation is one too many and this should act as a wake-up call for both the GDC and the Government.

“Members told us the length of their GDC investigation had the most impact on their mental health. The Professional Standards Authority, in its 2021/2022 review of the regulator, said the GDC is taking too long to progress fitness to practise cases and that the number of open older cases has increased. It described the delays as ‘serious and ongoing’.

“GDC reform would give the regulator discretion to not take forward investigations where allegations clearly do not require action, to focus on the most serious allegations and process them more quickly, and the Government must progress this with more urgency. But the GDC can and should make more progress in the meantime – it must deliver on its 2021 commitment to tackle the delays to cases itself, through alternative ways of managing the caseload and increasing the size of its team.

“Having your fitness to practise called into question can be devastating, and there is no reason why the GDC cannot communicate with dentists with more compassion. For example, it should acknowledge the impact the investigation may have on mental wellbeing in its letters, and ensure its correspondence is accessible across all devices. It should also consider introducing an independent 24/7 wellbeing support service.

“Finally, we would urge the GDC to keep its promise to publish data on registrants who have died by suicide during a GDC investigation as soon as possible. This will demonstrate transparency and be the first real step in understanding the extent of this problem.”