The Unique Mental Health Challenges of the Dentistry Profession

Even before March 2020, many dentists faced job-related stressors causing poor mental health, but much like other healthcare providers, the pandemic only exacerbated those issues.

 

According to a recent report by the American Dental Association, the percent of dentists diagnosed with anxiety more than tripled in 2021 compared to 2003. Between the stress created by workforce shortages and higher risks associated with patient treatment and care during the pandemic, it’s understandable that many dentists have been struggling with managing their mental health. 

Dr. Stanley, Chief Clinical Officer at Pearl, and an advocate for better mental health in the dentistry profession, recently spoke with Delta Dental of Massachusetts about the issue, highlighting some of the unique stressors that dentists face, as opposed to other healthcare professionals. 

“Dentistry is a hard job. We are living in fear every day,” Stanley said. He noted that not only the physical posture of a dentist — leaning over and working in a person’s mouth — can be physically taxing, and that the pressure to provide the best care for patients can have detrimental physical and mental effects. For example, he notes that a dentist’s blood pressure can shoot up when administering an injection. 

Then, there is the financial burden. The American Dental Education Association found that senior dental students graduating in 2020 accumulated an average debt level of more than $300,000, which has a significant impact on stress levels. This is on top of dental students already showing signs of poor mental health and an increased desire to drop out, according to a study of University of Washington School of Dentistry students.

“There is a lot of financial burden, even for us doctors,” said Dr. Stanley.

The pandemic exacerbated these mental health issues among dentists. Among other psychological symptoms, feelings of fear and anxiety worsened due to the pandemic.

Despite the struggles dentists face with their mental health, there are plenty of resources to help dentists prioritize mental health moving forward. Dr. Stanley recommends what he calls the “D.E.R.M.S.” strategy: diet, exercise, relationships, meditation, and sleep.

“It’s kind of a cyclic thing with dentistry,” he said. “You’re working a stressful profession, so you come home and you’re up all night thinking about something that went wrong with a patient. And then you’re not eating. You don’t have time to exercise. That then causes bad things to happen with your relationships.”

Stanley said that eating right, getting enough sleep (seven hours minimum), and exercising regularly for as little as three 45-minute sessions per week can reduce feelings of stress, anxiety, and depression, and introduce better work/life balance that contributes to better mental health.

Science also shows that good relationships are the key to longevity. Dr. Stanley said dentists must separate their life purpose from their profession and find an identity beyond dentistry. One decades-long study from Harvard showed that, while physically taking care of yourself is important, those who live longer and happier lives focus on their relationships with others. 

“When most of us are on our deathbed, we’re not going to be saying ‘God I wish I prepped more teeth,’” Dr. Stanley said. “Focus on your relationships, because that is the most important thing we have.”

To learn more, watch our latest Pearls of Wisdom episode in which Dr. Stanley discusses the topic of mental health in dentistry.