Welcome to the Dentistry Toolkit
Financial Counselling Services
Dentists would benefit from programs that recognize the financial stressors associated with seeking care (e.g., costs for treatment and monitoring) and returning to work. Financial counselling services would be helpful, and perhaps long-term disability plans could have an overrider for addiction so that funds are coming in when the dentist is undergoing treatment and not at their practice. (p.6)
Enhancing resilience & Performance in Stressful Situations
In the “Enhancing the Wellness of Canadian Dentists" report, it was suggested that a program similar to the Canadian Armed Forces mental health program would help improve dentists' resilience. “Road to Mental Readiness Program” helps Canadian Forces (CAF) members and their families recognize mental illness earlier and seek help.
Work-Life Balance Management Policies and Procedures for Dental Workers
Management policies and procedures that support work-life balance (e.g. voluntary reduced hours, voluntary part-time work, phased in retirement, telecommuting, job sharing, paid and unpaid leaves, dependent care initiatives, etc.).(p.43)
Discussion about Wellness Initiated by Leaders
Keep in mind that leadership can tip an organization towards resilience. Incorporate discussions about wellness into team meetings, and delegate related activities to team members (Highlights from breakout groups, p.11).
Alberta Dental Association & College Wellness Program
A confidential program that involves 11 dentists who act as first line responders refers dentists and their family members to registered psychologists.
Mentorship Support
Dentists returning to work after treatment for mental health or addiction issues would ideally be supported by a network of mentors, through a process that uses benchmarks drawn from existing successful programs (p1). A life-long support system that could be provided through associations would ensure that a dentist returning to work would not feel alone and can always turn to a “kindred spirit” for help. (p.7)
Professional Support Program
Doctors Nova Scotia’s Professional Support Program (PSP) provides confidential peer-to-peer support for members and their families who are dealing with personal or professional problems and also supports initiatives, workshops and other resources that promote wellness, resiliency and balanced living.
PEI Dental Association Wellness Program
The association has an informal wellness program where they have partnered informally with a psychologist to provide help for the Association's members in case they needed help.
TEAM Assistance Program
The TAP is a voluntary and confidential service offered and promoted by the College of Dental Surgeons of Saskatchewan. Counseling service is provided by PAR Consultants of Canada Limited, a professional group of counselors and consultants.
Members Assistance Program (MAP)
Sponsored by CDSPI and available to dentists, dental office staff, dental students and employees of the Canadian Dental Association and their immediate family members, MAP provides access to professional guidance, clinical counselling and wide variety of wellness resources to help at school, work and in personal life.
ODA Extended Health Care (EHC)Insurance Plan
This plan is an insurance plan available to all ODA members, including new graduates, and their family and dental staff.
ODA Rehabilitation and Wellness Services
Dentists living with addictions can take advantage of a range of rehabilitative services for health-care providers, developed by the ODA and the Royal College of Dental Surgeons of Ontario.
Future Insurability
A policy is needed to address and protect the future insurability of the practitioner for short- or long-term disability once they have undergone rehabilitation for an addiction or mental health problem (p.7).
Locum Protocols
Dentists who must withdraw from practice to undergo treatment for mental health or addiction reasons face the challenge of keeping their practice viable in their absence and covering costs associated with treatment and income loss. B.C. dentists, for example, are supported in these challenges through the BCDA (locum placements). (p.1).
CDA Discussions on Mental Health
Through various discissions, Canadian Dental Association raises awareness of mental health issues among dentists and how they should be more open about discussing them. (e.g., IS IT TIME TO REACH OUT? , an article on these issues published in CDA Essentials magazine).
How do I avoid burnout? A Video by Healthy Workplace Matters Initiative
In this video, Dr. Sheila Raja discusses the burnout in healthcare (including associated concepts such as compassion fatigue and vicarious traumatization) and strategies to avoid it.
Handbook of Occupational Hazards and Controls for Dental Workers
This document, developed by the Government of Alberta, includes information for employers about control strategies for commonly occurring psychological hazards, including ways to reduce the impact of increased workloads (e.g., allow workers to say “no” to overtime without repercussions) (p. 48).
CE Courses and Virtual Sessions on Stress and Work-Life Balance at National Dental Conferences
At national conferences (e.g., Pacific Dental Conference), there are CE courses and virtual sessions on work life balance, stress in dentistry and other topics related to dentists’ mental health
Tackling Stress, Management, Addiction, and Suicide Prevention in Predoctoral Dental Curriculum
A University of British Columbia Faculty of Dentistry module designed to address stress management and suicide prevention. The pedagogies include standardized patients, invited guest lectures, in-class activities, video presentation, and self-reflections.
ODA Benevolence Program
The ODA provides assistance to dentists, their dependents and dental students who are in need of assistance because of illness, bereavement, an accident or other unexpected situation or misfortune.
BC Dental Association’s Dentist Wellness Program
The Dentist Wellness Program provides confidential support for BC dentists and their families through experienced program staff and/or an extensive network of counsellors, therapists and coaches. The program helps with a wide range of issues, including substance use, mental health, relationship stress, etc.
U of T Wellness Committee Initiatives
This committee aims to support mental health and wellbeing of dental students by having Lunch and Learns on mental health, help-seeking, and other topics. At U of T there is a lots of MH support for students (including counselling) that can help students navigate student years without spiraling.
CE Course: The Working Mind: Workplace Mental Health & Wellness for Oral Health Care Professionals
CDA has partnered with MHCC to create this course that is available to CDA members free of charge. It covers various topics related to MH, including how to communicate with employees about mental health illness in a workplace context and workplace accommodations and return to work and how to how to reduce associated stigma.
The Healthy Workplace Matters
This page brings together helpful information and resources to help employers and the whole dental team participate in creating a healthier and more respectful workplace, including videos on bullying, harassment, workplace violence and strategies to create a healthy workplace.
The University of British Columbia Faculty of Dentistry Sexual Violence Awareness Page
This web page provides information on sexual violence and different resources and supports available to students who have experienced it.
Lightening the Workload or re-arranging the schedule to allow more time off
Cognitive-Behavioural Psychological Intervention
This brief intervention, focused on helping dental students at University of Chile to cope with symptoms of stress, anxiety, and depression has reduced their stress level and improved their coping skills.
The Dental Mental Network
A non-profit organization, created by three dentists, aiming to help fellow dental professionals with mental health issues survive and thrive by helping to remove the stigma surrounding mental health issues, offering support and resources, and providing a platform for sharing their stories.
Peer Support Initiative
Network of dentists and other health professionals (nurses, physicians) where they can share their experiences and concerns (e.g., abusive treatment by patients) can be beneficial for mental health of dental professionals.