DDU survey finds that over three quarters of dental professionals feel stressed or anxious on a weekly basis

  Posted by: Dental Design      13th May 2021

New research published by the Dental Defence Union (DDU) has seen 78 per cent of dental members surveyed state that they feel stressed and/or anxious on a weekly basis.

The DDU surveyed 396 members and also found that:

• 45 per cent feel they are unable to spend adequate time with patients
• 33 per cent feel they are unable to do their jobs effectively
• 53 per cent would not feel confident in raising a matter regarding their health and wellbeing
• Members were most likely to raise concerns with their family members (89 per cent), colleagues (47 per cent) and/or their GP (40 per cent)

Additionally, when compared with health and wellbeing research undertaken in May 2020, the DDU found that 55 per cent of respondents often go to work when they don’t feel well, up from 47 per cent.  

However, the number of respondents who believe they are making a positive difference to the lives of their patients increased from 72 per cent in May 2020 to 93 per cent in March 2021.

Moreover, 80 per cent believed that they felt supported by their colleagues while 67 per cent believed that relationships amongst colleagues were positive. 55 per cent also felt that they were able to spend suitable time with patients. The same number also stated that they had a good work/life balance.  

Lesley Taylor, dento-legal adviser at the DDU said:

“While dental professionals have always faced high-pressure situations, the long term implications of working during the COVID pandemic mean that many dental professionals have felt increasingly stressed and anxious.     

“Such feelings may have been compounded by keeping up-to-date with ever-changing guidance, adapting to new working practices and manging socially-distanced patient interactions.

“While reaching out for support and advice can be daunting and difficult, dental professionals shouldn’t have to ‘just deal with it’. At the DDU we recommend that dental professionals make the most of their support network to help them deal with stress, anxiety or depression.”

Click here to learn more about the sources of health and wellbeing support available to dentists.

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