DCPs feel they have no choice but to work when their mental health is suffering
A majority surveyed said they feel guilty taking time off due to mental wellbeing issues.
Almost eight in ten dental professionals in the UK (76%) say they have gone to work or continued to work despite their mental health suffering, according to a survey by Dental Protection.
In the survey of more than 1,600 dental professionals – including dentists, dental nurses, hygienists and therapists – two thirds (66%) said they feel guilty if they take time off due to mental wellbeing issues.
Almost half of the respondents (49%) said they feel they should keep working even when their mental health is suffering, and a similar number (47%) said there was nobody else to cover for them if they did not attend.
Over half (56%) cited financial reasons for continuing to work, while a third (33%) said it was due to the pressure to meet demand for NHS appointments, and the target driven culture.
Dental professionals who took part said working while their mental health is suffering had led to a loss of concentration (56%), a lack of empathy with patients (46%) and being more fearful of making mistakes (46%). Around a third (34%) suspected it may have contributed to a lower standard of care. 29% said there had been no effect on patients.
Yvonne Shaw, Deputy Dental Director at Dental Protection said: “It does not surprise me that dental professionals put their patients’ interests above their own.
“It is however distressing that such a large proportion of colleagues say they are continuing to work despite not feeling mentally well enough to do so. The reasons cited highlight the pressures of delivering care and unrelenting demands of managing patient backlogs and meeting targets, alongside financial pressures and lack of cover.
“The current pressures are unsustainable and dental professionals must feel able to take time off to recuperate or seek support. We see the impact of burn-out and the sad reality of colleagues having to take extended time off work, or even leaving dentistry altogether. Alongside this, working when our mental health is suffering can adversely impact the delivery of patient care which those taking part in our survey have shared.”
Dental Protection members are offered a 24/7 counselling service as a benefit of membership, for colleagues experiencing stress that they feel could impact their practice. The service is entirely confidential and independent of Dental Protection.