DentaltownUK August 2017 - 7

identify ones which you can control, and actively take
action to reduce stress. In a few weeks (on 31 August), I
am giving a practical workshop titled 'Stress Management
and Effective Communication' alongside Dr Gabor
Filo (Canada) and Dr Ashley Goodman (USA). Please
contact macscotland@outlook.com for more information.
Some of the learning outcomes are:
1. A general awareness of the physiology
and psychologically deleterious effects
of chronic stress.
2. A review of the neurological and
endocrinological basis of the stress response.
3. Understanding of the multicomponent
nature of a stress management program.
4. An overview of meditative and self-hypnotic
techniques for stress management.
5. Most importantly, experiential exercises
of the described techniques that can be
used at home or at work.
Here are a few important but simple general tips for
dentists to help reduce stress.

Communicate
Talk to friends, family and colleagues. Ask for help
and advice from people in your life whom you trust.
Connect with the hundreds of thousands of dentists on
the Dentaltown forums! Any question you have about
clinical cases, practice management issues or anything
else dental-related will be answered by someone who has
experience in similar situations. Communicate with staff
and employers. If there is a problem, talk it out rather
than letting it build up.

Be thorough
Have systems in place that mean your recordkeeping,
consent and complaint procedures are all efficient and
thorough. Ensure your CPD is up to date.

Stay within your comfort zone

Look after yourself
*

*
*

Take time off work occasionally, just to have a
break. (By this I mean, avoid using up all your
days off just to attend conferences or commitments. Have some 'you' days!)
Eat well and practice good sleeping habits.
Exercise and take time to pursue activities that
help you unwind. This is the raison d' être of
DentaltownUK 's Lifestyle section: You may not
have the money or passion for fast cars, expensive
watches, etc., but it's important to have something
in your life that helps you unwind, and DentaltownUK 's Lifestyle articles are all written by
people who work in dentistry-your peers!
Dentaltown's online forums include a huge
Leisure section if you need any further inspiration
for what dentists do to unwind.
Visit this Stress Management message board on
Dentaltown.
References
1.
Holmes, T.H., & Rahe, R.H. (1967). 'The Social Readjustment
Rating Scale'. Journal of Psychosomatic Research, 11, 213.
2.
Rahe, R.H., Mahan, J.L., & Arthur, R.J. (1970). 'Prediction of
Near-Future Health Change from Subjects' Preceding Life Changes'.
Journal of Psychosomatic Research, 14(4), 401-406.
3.
https://dentalethics.svbtle.com/

Find the support
you need-online
or on the phone
If you'd like more information about
stress or contact information
for support organizations, we
recommend these sites:
* Dentists' Health Support
Programme.
* Mind.
* The NHS websites Understanding
Stress and Stress.
* The Mental Health Foundation.
* The Samaritans
(or call 116 123).

If you encounter a patient or case you're uncertain
about treating, have a referral pathway in place. If you
wish to extend your comfort zone and increase your
confidence, take courses in elements of dentistry that
you find more challenging.

dentaltownuk.com \\ AUGUST 2017

http://www.dentaltown.com/MessageBoard/ forum.aspx?s=2&f=153 https://dentalethics.svbtle.com/ http://www.dentistshealthsupporttrust.org/ https://www.mind.org.uk/ http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/stress- anxiety-depression/Pages/understanding-stress.aspx http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/stress- anxiety-depression/Pages/understanding-stress.aspx https://www.nhs.uk/oneyou/stress https://www. mentalhealth.org.uk/a-to-z/s/stress http://www.samaritans.org http://www.dentaltownuk.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of DentaltownUK August 2017