Book champions self care for dentists

A survey of how dentists see themselves and their work has led to a book co-edited by a Massey University senior lecturer that has been warmly welcomed across the dental profession.

Dr Linda Jones is a senior lecturer in the school of psychology at Massey University’s Wellington campus, studies occupational health psychology, specialising in dental psychology.

She says it’s a fertile ground for a profession that seems to suffer high levels of stress, early retirement of dentists, alcohol abuse and severe muscular discomfort due to long days leaning over patients in a dentist’s chair.

"There are issues in dentistry that put more pressure on dentists than in some other professions, "Dr Jones says. "They have a poor public image, are the butt of people’s jokes, people can become anxious when they have to see them and they are at risk of depression and burn-out."

Her book, co-edited with Wellington dentist Jeff Annan, Self Care for Dentists, focuses on ways for dentists to enhance their role and work environment. It provides activities, assessments and resources that address self care issues specifically relevant to dentistry.

Nearly 50 dentists responded to the 2010 New Zealand Survey of Occupational Stress, Job Satisfaction and Social Networks that led to the publication of the book. Another 28 dentists participated via phone interviews. It was further spurred on by the effect of the Christchurch earthquakes on dental practices.

The book begins with a "positive psychology" approach by focussing on what dentists value in the profession and what they found best about their chosen career. It then covers occupational risks and physical injury, the physical dental environment, people in the dental team, specific occupational stress assessments, mentoring, and technical and legal issues."

Dr Jones says delegates to the annual New Zealand Dental Association conference held last week in Rotorua particularly appreciated the focus on positive dentistry and the mentoring programme.

Her work on Dental Jungle, a Ministry of Health funded programme aimed at addressing dental anxiety in children, and undertaken with the help of postgraduate psychology students, was another example of the positive impact dentistry could have with the community too, she says.

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