The concept of wellbeing has never been so pronounced as it has in recent years. As a nation we’ve experienced some incredible challenges, which have highlighted the importance of protecting one’s mental and emotional wellbeing. This is especially the case within the workplace.
A precarious balance
A person’s wellbeing at work is an area that has been scrutinised, with many realising that they feel unfulfilled or unappreciated, and encouraged to move on to greener pastures.
Many have also realised the importance of a healthy work-life balance. This is evident in certain movements such as ‘quiet quitting’, whereby employees fulfil their basic responsibilities but don’t overwork themselves. For example, no longer working out-of-hours or shouldering extra responsibility.
For many, this has enabled them to get a better handle on their professional lives and enjoy their personal lives more. A survey by BetterUp found that one in 10 Britons see themselves as a ‘workaholic’. Also, one in three UK workers say they are ‘quiet quitters’, but many respondents claimed they felt a lesser ‘sense of purpose’ when at work and have less motivation to continue learning and growing.
In a demanding profession like dentistry, growth is integral to a professional’s skill and their career possibilities. However, as many can attest, it’s also an incredibly demanding and challenging vocation, which leaves its employees at a high risk of developing mental health issues.
Many dental professionals might have mentally ‘checked out’ without realising, in a bid to preserve their mental wellbeing while ensuring they can still provide a high-level of care to patients. Others have left their role, seeking a new opportunity elsewhere. However, many more continue without realising that they are falling down a slippery slope, until they hit burnout. To protect wellbeing, how can dental professionals prioritise their health, while still being able to enhance their career?
The secret to a healthy life
Nowadays, wellbeing is ubiquitous. Influencers online have made a career out of telling audiences how they can better care for their wellbeing. Fitness, health, cosmetic and nutrition industries have all adopted a focus on ‘wellbeing’ and ‘wellness’, a £2.8tn industry worldwide.
The overload of information and marketing can leave some unsure of how to prioritise their own wellbeing in a way that’s suited to them, especially if they have a demanding work life. As dental professionals, the current situation of UK dentistry means that most professionals are under intense pressure, with fraught workforces and mounting patient backlogs. Is there any time for our wellbeing? Where can we start?
Although certainly not a ‘cure-all’ solution, the power of connection cannot be understated. Researchers believe that when you establish and maintain connection with others, you “receive a variety of wellbeing benefits”.
Dentistry has often been described as a lonely profession, which may very well resonate with dentists in particular. Although working alongside the dental team and treating numerous patients daily, the demand for exceptional standards of dentistry leaves little time for social interaction. So, it’s vital that professionals establish relationships, whether that be in their personal or professional life.
Professional connections and interactions can be essential for your career and your own wellbeing, especially in a dental role. Having a network of peers gives you a place you can turn to should you encounter any challenges in your clinical work, or if you need guidance and advice, or even just a catch-up!
A network of excellence
No matter what stage you’re at in your career, you should consider joining a network like the Association of Dental Implantology (ADI). We embrace professionals from all walks of life, providing exceptional education, mentoring and research.
Our members have access to various benefits, including free premium membership of Dentinal Tubules, discounted delegate rates for ADI events and access to the ADI members’ only Facebook group. Most of all, you can meet professionals from across the breadth of the UK, establishing connections that last throughout your career.
Protecting our wellbeing is vital to ensure we lead healthy lives and is also critical for our productivity and ability to work well. Dentistry challenges its workforce, there are unique hurdles to overcome and at times, this can be overwhelming and affect the wellbeing of the dental team. That’s why it’s important that professionals have a stable support system they can turn to and depend on, especially when times get tough.