We are all stressed. And this is good; if we weren’t, we would struggle as human beings. We would not have achieved much in our lives without stress. It is a natural response to a change in our environment. The dental industry is no stranger to stress, and it is a consistent battle to manage stress.
A significant factor in dentistry is that stress can come in many different formats, such as patient care, managing a dental practice, ensuring compliance with regulatory standards, CQC assessments, and staying abreast of rapidly evolving technological advancements and on top of all this having a personal life outside.
This stress in the dental industry isn't limited to the clinical environment; it extends to various dimensions. Practitioners face pressure to maintain the highest standards of patient care and responsibilities. This dynamic blend of clinical, managerial, and personal challenges makes the dental profession susceptible to unique and often intense stress.
Understanding stress
Stress, in its essence, is the body's natural response to challenging situations or environments, be they physical, emotional, or mental. There are different forms of stress.
Eustress
Often regarded as ‘positive stress’, the motivating force propels dental professionals to excel in their field. It is the exhilarating feeling that accompanies tackling new clinical challenges, achieving professional milestones, or mastering advanced techniques. Sometimes, people talk about entering into a flow state; this is when a person's skills match the challenge.
Distress
On the flip side, distress is the more alarming face of stress. This damaging form can significantly impact a dentist's wellbeing and job performance. Stress is negative when it exceeds our ability to cope, fatigues body systems and causes behavioural or physical problems.
It emerges from the overwhelming burdens of patient anxiety, time constraints, and clinical complexities that can lead to emotional exhaustion, poor concentration, lack of focus, performance anxiety, and burnout.
Stress isn't merely a psychological state; it leaves a tangible imprint on the body. There is an excellent book by Gabor Mate titled When the Body Says No: The Cost of Hidden Stress.
He talks about the cost of long-term stress on the body. The body's sympathetic nervous system activates under stress. This response triggers the release of stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline. This can be very useful, but it can lead to physical and mental health challenges over time.
Several studies have shown chronic stress exerts a general immunosuppressive effect that suppresses or withholds the body's ability to initiate a prompt, efficient immune reaction. Increasing the risk of sickness and lack of performance. Everyday stressors in dentistry It's crucial to identify the specific stressors that practitioners frequently encounter.
Here are three common causes of stress:
- Patient anxiety - Dentists often contend with patients' dental anxiety, ranging from mild apprehension to paralysing fear. Effectively managing patient anxiety is vital for patient care and a significant stressor for dental professionals. Having an awareness of this can help with the relationship between dentist and patient.
- Time pressure - The fast-paced nature of dental procedures and tight schedules can create immense time pressure. Dentists must efficiently balance quality care with time constraints, which can lead to elevated stress levels. A significant factor in this time pressure is having the right team around you to support and perform the dentist.
- Clinical challenges - Dental practice can present complex clinical challenges that demand swift and accurate decision-making. Whether it's a delicate surgical procedure or diagnosing an intricate dental issue, such challenges can be a significant source of stress.
Managing stress
Managing stress is the main goal and a fundamental prerequisite for performance and wellbeing in the dental industry. I am surprised how little everyone generally invests in ways to manage their stress better.
As we know, improving our ability to manage stress will result in:
- Enhanced patient care- Stress management equips dental professionals with the emotional resilience and cognitive clarity required to deliver exceptional patient care. A dentist at ease can more effectively communicate with and alleviate patient anxiety, leading to improved treatment outcomes.
- Professional longevity - Dentists who proactively manage stress are better positioned to enjoy long (if they want to) and fulfilling careers. Preventing burnout, reducing job dissatisfaction, and maintaining enthusiasm for their work are vital factors in career longevity.
- Improve decision-making - The dental profession demands high-pressure decision-making, often under time constraints. Stress can impair cognitive function; hence, stress management directly contributes to more accurate, timely, and effective clinical decisions.
- Work-life integration - Effective stress management fosters a healthier work-life balance, allowing dental professionals to pursue fulfilling personal lives alongside their demanding careers.
How can we manage stress?
Research suggests that cultivating mental well-being is crucial for stress management.
Here are some proven ways to support your stress:
- Incorporate mindfulness practices into your daily routine, such as meditation and progressive muscle relaxation. These techniques have been shown to reduce stress and enhance emotional resilience. Even short sessions (two to five minutes long) have been shown to benefit stress.
- Physical activity not only benefits your health but is a potent stress reducer. Research indicates that exercise can help lower stress hormones and trigger the release of endorphins, improving mood and cognitive function. Ask yourself, how can I add activity to my day? A walk at lunch, cycling into the practice, playing with your children.
- Incorporate breathwork exercises, like deep or box breathing, into your daily rituals. Research has shown that controlled breathing techniques can help calm the nervous system and reduce stress responses, promoting relaxation and mental clarity. Breathwork has grown in popularity, and for me, it is a fantastic effect method to regulate our nervous system and take back control.
- Adequate and restful sleep is a non-negotiable element of stress management. Research consistently highlights the importance of sleeping-in regulating stress hormones and enhancing cognitive function. Establish a sleep routine and create a conducive sleep environment for optimal recovery.
- Fostering social connections is a powerful stress buffer. Numerous studies have shown that strong social support is linked to lower stress levels and improved mental health. Make time for friends and family within and outside the dental profession to build a robust support network. Many dentists I work with tell me, "I don't have time to see my friends or be with my family", but by developing social connections, you can perform better at work.
By implementing these research-backed strategies and incorporating them into your daily life, you can proactively manage stress and ultimately reduce the effects of chronic stress. This holistic approach encompasses being human; we must move, eat, sleep, breathe and think to have a fulfilling life.
Stress is going to be part of day-to-day life in general. The dental industry offers a unique challenge: if we focus on the foundations of being human, we can use stress to our advantage. But with any change, the first is to become aware of this.