Oral health practitioners experience a significant amount of occupational stress from the time they start studying towards their chosen qualifications. This stress, which is believed to affect nearly 50% of the overall Canadian workforce according to the Microsoft Work Trend Index, can have a severe impact on everything from the personal health to the professional performance of … Read more
Professional athletes place as much importance on their rest and recovery as on their performance strategy. Why? Because the time we spend recharging directly impacts our ability to perform and thrive both personally and professionally, as well as cope with stress. With life’s daily demands, it is essential to manage our personal well-being so we … Read more
In our profession, there has always been a big push through December leading into the holiday season, which can be both mentally and physically taxing for the entire practice team. This year, the impact of this hectic time was further amplified by our second full year of maneuvering amid a global pandemic. Aside from being … Read more
The thickness of growth marks in primary (or “baby”) teeth may help identify children at risk for depression and other mental health disorders later in life, according to researchers at Harvard-affiliated Massachusetts General Hospital. The results of this study were published in JAMA Network Open. The researchers believe the findings could lead to the development of a much-needed … Read more
The COVID-19 pandemic has given the dental industry an opportunity to discuss many topics, including the importance of mental health. During the Data Driven Dentistry survey last year, 21 percent of dentists responded that the one positive thing they could take away from their pandemic experience was spending more time with family and living life … Read more
Dental practices nationwide are facing shortages in qualified staff, in large part because of the pandemic that’s resulted in more people having second thoughts about their careers. In fact, in a survey published in the Journal of Dental Hygiene, 8% of dental hygienists have left the industry since the onset of the pandemic. While there’s … Read more
Dental school, like any professional educational program, is challenging. Students are expected to develop their manual dexterity skills and maintain a heavy course load, which makes it difficult to maintain the balanced and healthy lifestyle that they know is important. It should, therefore, come as no surprise that a high occurrence of depression, anxiety and … Read more
As fourth-year DDS students enter their final year on campus, they will be heading to the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) to complete a clinical rotation. While third-year DDS students are given the option to do a one-week clinical rotation at CAMH, every fourth-year student is required to attend for one day. “One … Read more
Before he played Walter White, actor Bryan Cranston played the lothario dentist Tim Whatley on NBC’s “Seinfeld”. While little about Whatley is realistic, the character touches on mental health issues in the dental profession; namely, the stereotype that dentists have the “highest suicide rate of any profession.”1 Even though this is an urban legend, “Seinfeld” … Read more
I have been a dentist for 30 years but only practised for seven. I spent more than 20 years in the regulatory sector, and taught oral health professional students in six post-secondary institutions and medical students at two universities. I also have mental illness. After I was interviewed recently for a feature article in another … Read more
Most people don’t realize that the dental profession is one of the most at-risk for mental health disorders. These include depression, anxiety, and negative effects of stress. Mental health in dentistry can often be considered a taboo subject, but it has been ignored for too long. To understand the serious nature of this problem, you … Read more
INTRODUCTION Studies on occupational stress in healthcare professionals are not new, however limited information is available on stress impact and ultimately burnout in oral and maxillofacial surgeons and residents.1,2 Occupational stress is the outcome of the clash between job-related factors interacting with personal factors with a resulting change to the individuals’ physical or psychological state.2 … Read more
I was so mad, I couldn’t see straight. He was blinded by love. I have thought about where these phrases came from after enjoying a wonderful article titled Tame Reactive Emotions By Naming Them by Mitch Abblett. I do a lot of reading about how our brains work with respect to dealing with our emotions … Read more
2020 brought tremendous change, hardship, and loss for a great many of us. We were catapulted out of our comfort zones as we had to adjust to the new normal. With a new year around the corner, we have a unique opportunity to recognize how unprepared we may have been to handle an abrupt change … Read more
The demands of student life are intense. Professionals programs like law, medicine, dentistry and dental hygiene require the devotion of a Tibetan monk, the physical endurance of NFL gladiator Tom Brady, the toughness of Serena Williams and the mental acuity of business titan Jeff Bezos. Deadlines, projects and requirements dig deep into the reserves of … Read more
There are high levels of stress and burnout in the dentistry profession, with a huge number of dentists feeling that the stress of their job is beyond their ability to cope. These top 5 self care tips can help manage stress levels: Talk to someone Stress isn’t one of those things that will just sort … Read more
Statement From Mental Health Commission of Canada On this, the 10th Bell Let’s Talk Day, the Mental Health Commission of Canada (MHCC) congratulates Bell Canada for its visionary leadership on mental health and urges everyone across the country to join this game-changing annual conversation. Over the past decade, Bell Let’s Talk has made major strides in … Read more
It’s been said that there is no health without mental health—the truth of this statement is difficult to refute. Mental illness presents a serious barrier to receiving good health care and dental care is no exception. The enormity of this public health concern becomes clear when you consider that, at any moment in Canada, mental … Read more
The Holidays are a time of year for celebration. Time to spend with family and friends. It can also be a time of reflection. Many of us will look back on “the year that was” to celebrate our successes. We will also use it as a time to look forward to the year ahead and … Read more