8 resources to support your mental health
When dentists focus on their own health, they are better equipped to deliver the best care for their patients.
The American Dental Association offers several resources and tools to help dentists prioritize their well-being at ADA.org/wellness. Below are some of those offerings.
• Dental Well-Being Index: The Well-Being Index is an anonymous, validated self-assessment tool developed by Mayo Clinic that measures multiple dimensions of clinician distress and well-being. It is available for free through the ADA to all dentists, specialists, dental students and team members, who can use it to reassess their well-being over time. The ADA-licensed version connects users directly to resources from the ADA and some state dental associations.
• Dental Sound Bites: The ADA’s flagship podcast explores mental health in dentistry through eight episodes tackling substance addiction and recovery, imposter syndrome, perfectionism and more.
• Dentist Well-Being Programs Directory: Dentists can find peer support and wellness resources in their specific state through this directory.
• Ergonomic stretches: Prioritizing your physical health can help support your mental health as well. An illustrative guide to ergonomic stretches is available on the ADA website and through the ADA Member App, where users can access a voice-guided version and set daily reminders to stretch.
• Preventing Unfair Discrimination Toolkit: Learn how organized dentistry is advocating to reduce barriers to mental healthcare for dental professionals through licensing, credentialing and professional liability insurance reform.
• Wellness resources flyer: A one-page flyer created by the ADA lists key wellness resources in an easy-to-reference format for dentists.
• Continuing education: Explore current data on dental professional wellness and learn practical strategies for supporting your mental health, reducing burnout and promoting resilience through the course Putting Your Oxygen Mask on First: Prioritizing Health and Well-Being in Dentistry.
• After a Suicide: Postvention Toolkit: This toolkit provides guidance and tools for dental workplaces following the suicide death of a dentist or team member.
