Press Release
DCP Well-being Advocates Round Table Empowers Dental Professionals
Date: September 26th, 2024
Following the successful 2nd DCP Well-being Advocates Round Table on September 10, 2024, hosted by Victoria Wilson from Smile Revolution Thrive and Claire Frisby from Click-Nik, dental hygienists, therapists, and nurses gathered for an engaging evening of valuable discussions on mental health and well-being within the dental profession.
The event attracted a diverse group of participants and fostered an open dialogue surrounding the stigma associated with mental health challenges faced by dental care professionals (DCPs). Attendees reflected on common concerns such as fear of judgment, whistle-blowing, and being labeled as troublemakers. The consensus is clear: proactive measures need to be taken to combat the stigma surrounding mental health in the DCP community.
Feedback from participants highlighted the session as both encouraging and motivational, with many expressing a desire to explore additional topics in future round tables. Suggested themes include self-compassion and other strategies for enhancing well-being in high-stress environments.
A significant focus of the discussions emphasized the importance of individual responsibility in promoting well-being among dental professionals. This recognition aligns with the findings from the GDC’s report, “Mental Health and Wellbeing in Dentistry – A Rapid Evidence Assessment.” The insights from this report can be accessed here.
The session concluded with a productive conversation about self-compassion as an evidence-based tool for managing stress. Misconceptions around self-compassion were addressed alongside practical techniques for incorporating this practice into daily routines. For those interested, an audio publication discussing self-compassion among DCPs can be found here.
In summary, the event confirmed the essential need for ongoing support and dialogue within the DCP community. The stigma surrounding mental health and well-being must be challenged, and both individual and systemic approaches are necessary for fostering change. For individual support, please visit Smile Revolution Thrive at https://www.smile-revolution.net/yoga/.
Victoria and Claire would like to extend their thanks to the community of DCP well-being advocates and their valuable contribution to the discussions. ‘We look forward to welcoming the existing community back and welcoming new members at the next event that we intend to host in six weeks, so be sure to stay tuned for upcoming announcements and registration details.’ Register your interest for future DCP Well-being Advocate Round Tables here.
TOGETHER WE CAN WORK TOWARDS REDUCING THE STIGMA ON MENTAL HEALTH AND WELL-BEING AMONG DCPs.
Lastly, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to our sponsors – Philips, The Magic Dentist, and Steiriliu – for their generous support and giveaways that contributed to the success of this event.
For further information, please contact:
Victoria Wilson
Email: info@smile-revolution.net
Website: Smile Revolution Thrive (Individual Well-being Support)
Claire Frisby
Email: claire@click-nik.com
Website: www.click-nik.com
