My View: Building a coordinated support system for dentist well-being
Suicide rates in dentistry remain significantly higher than in the general population¹ — troubling, but not surprising. Chronic pain, anxiety, depression, and burnout: these risk factors are widely reported by dentists and their teams.²
Many clinicians are reluctant to admit when they need help. Some struggle silently. Others turn to unhealthy coping mechanisms, including substance use. When life becomes unmanageable, they often do not know where to turn or who to trust.
These challenges reflect a culture of emotional isolation and self-reliance embedded in dentistry. When pathways are unclear, fragmented, or perceived as risky, even motivated clinicians hesitate to reach out. Other professions have built effective provider-support systems centered on licensed mental health triage; these principles can be adapted for dentistry.
Notably, a recent National Council of Dentist Health Programs survey found that state dental societies are actively seeking guidance and support to strengthen and coordinate their well-being programs. This demand reflects recognition at the state level that existing efforts, while well-intentioned, are often inconsistent, volunteer-dependent, and difficult for clinicians to navigate during times of crisis.
Support from the ADA Foundation should be used to empower state dental societies to develop and maintain well-being programs that address member needs across the mental health continuum. These programs would partner with licensed mental health professionals to provide intake, triage, and referrals to vetted peer and professional services, giving clinicians a trusted professional to turn to when life becomes unmanageable. States could share resources where appropriate to maximize coverage and efficiency.
The alternative to action is ongoing erosion of clinician well-being, professional integrity, and public safety. What’s at stake is more than clinicians’ health; it’s the kind of profession we choose to be. Funding state programs through the ADA Foundation reinforces our commitment to one another and strengthens the integrity of dentistry.
Editor's Note: The ADA is committed to supporting dentist well-being through resources like the Well Being Index, the Dentist Well-Being Programs Directory, and mental health-focused CE courses. Get access to tools for you and your team at ADA.org/wellness. The ADA Foundation currently supports dentists through programs like Charitable Assistance Grants and Disaster Relief efforts and looks to expand programs in the future as fundraising initiatives grow and additional resources become available. Visit ADAFoundation.org for more information.
References
- Suicide deaths among dentists in the United States. Tomasi, Suzanne E. et al. The Journal of the American Dental Association, Volume 156, Issue 12, 1024 - 1033.e
- American Dental Association. Well-Being Index now available to all ADA members to support mental health. ADA News. February 2024. Available at: https://adanews.ada.org/ada-news/2024/february/well-being-index-available-to-all-ada-members-to-support-mental-health. Accessed January 4, 2026.
