Are you content at work? A look at stress in the workplace.
In recent years, happiness in the workplace, well-being, and work-life balance has become more widely discussed. So much so that a lot of people now consider these factors when reflecting on their current position, especially if they have started to realise they’re unhappy. It’s clear that for a person to perform at their best then their well-being, work-life balance and happiness at work must be a priority.
Are dentists happy at work?
Anyone can experience mental health issues at any time in their life. In dentistry, the most common mental health issues are stress, burnout, and anxiety. A study consisting of 100 participants was an eye-opener for the well-being of the profession. It revealed that, of the 100 participants, 71 had experienced stress, burnout, anxiety, or depression. However, stress was the most commonly mentioned problem in the workplace – it also became clear that this was the leading cause of burnout or becoming unwell mentally.
The last two years especially have seen an increase in mental health challenges amongst practitioners – Covid-19 has caused a lot of uncertainty for everyone and a survey revealed just how much professionals have felt the pressure. Of the 244 people surveyed 67 per cent shared that they feel stressed or anxious on a weekly basis.
Previous to the last two years, the dental profession was already a stressful field as a GDP, for example, will see multiple patients in one day. Managing the oral health and expectations of a carousel of patients can make the work both physically and emotionally exhausting. This shows that while the profession was already stress-inducing for many the turmoil of the pandemic has not helped at all.
What’s the problem?
A study looked at the reasons why dentists have experienced stress, anxiety, burnout, or depression. The top four causes reported were work conditions; lack of networking/social isolation; regulation-litigation; and uncertainty of NHS dentistry. These made up almost half of the responses from 100 participants. The top two causes were work conditions and isolation.
One participant explained that the impact of management changes had a negative impact on the way they worked.
Another person explained that a change in staffing structure affected their working conditions – a change in management meant they lost support and a great dental nurse who kept them organised and was critical to a smooth working day.
Participants also explained that isolation is a factor as the profession, can be quite lonely at times. Some explained how they work in one room by themselves a lot of the time and while they may work with a dental nurse, frequently they do not have a lot of interaction with their peer group, which was especially true for those who don’t work in busy practices.
Tips on how to manage stress at work
Sometimes, the stress you may be experiencing at work can be easily managed with a few adjustments. Here’s what you can do to help yourself:
- Split up big tasks – if something seems overwhelming try to break it down into more manageable chunks. Don’t forget to give yourself credit for completing them!
- Challenge your thoughts – sometimes thinking negatively can have a big impact on how people feel and trying to be more positive can completely change your day.
- Talk to someone – friends, family, and colleagues are there for us to lean on when we are struggling. Sometimes all it takes is a good chat to overcome something that initially felt impossible.
- Be grateful – it might sound simple but try to focus on the good. Consider what went well each day and what you’re grateful for too.
- Be more active – exercise helps our body produce natural hormones and chemicals that give us more energy and help maintain a good mood.
- Plan ahead – there may be particular days or events that you find stressful and planning a journey or following a to-do list can help.
While each of these tips can be incredibly helpful sometimes a fresh start is what someone needs to get back on track. Knowing how to do this can be overwhelming, but Rodericks Dental could be the perfect next step for your career. The dental provider is committed to offering continued support to their dentists, especially as several of the directors have years of clinical experience themselves – they understand how you feel. The support they provide is designed to help you meet patient expectations and develop your career. Rodericks Dental understands that to help you provide top-quality care you need to be well-rewarded, offered flexibility, and given support to put your well-being first.
In summary, everyone can experience burnout and mental health challenges due to work stress but you don’t have to wait until you reach breaking point. There are many things you can do to manage any negativity at work, but making sure you’re in the right place for you should be a priority.
For more information call 01604 970988, email recruitment@rodericksdental.co.uk or visit www.rodericksdentalcareers.co.uk
References are available on request.