As a GDC registrant you must put patients' interests first. But to do this as effectively as possible, you also need to focus on your own health and wellbeing.

If you know or suspect your judgement or performance could be affected by your health, you must consult a suitably-qualified colleague (such as your GP, occupational health doctor or psychiatrist) and make any changes to your practice they advise.
Don't self-prescribe to alleviate symptoms such as exhaustion or anxiety, as this can be unsafe and is contrary to GDC guidance. Instead, get objective medical advice.
Speak to your colleagues and seek their support. They may be able to help reduce the pressures you're facing at work.
Seek help early if there has been a clinical incident or the GDC is involved.
The DDU offers several avenues of support - see below.

Many dental professionals spend most of their working lives in a small room with patients who can sometimes be apprehensive or fearful. Providing treatment within the confines of the oral cavity means the work is intricate, and as skilled professionals we often strive for perfection. When economic and time pressures are added to this mix, stress and fatigue can easily bubble up to the surface.

Dental professionals might be reluctant to seek help, but we should not be afraid to get support when we need it. You don't have to 'just get on with it', and recognising our limitations is important to practice safely.

DDU support

The DDU has a 24-hour dento-legal helpline for members to speak to our expert advisers, who are dentists themselves. As well as the assistance they can give in the course of helping members with a complaint or a claim, there are a number of other organisations and bodies dental professionals can turn to in times of need.

Health and wellbeing helpline

To support members with health and wellbeing issues, we offer unlimited and free access to a 24/7/365 confidential counselling helpline provided by Peninsula, a leading employment law consultancy in the UK.

To access this free service, DDU members can call 0330 678 1223.

This resource is delivered by Health Assured, part of the Peninsula Group, and can give confidential advice, support and information on areas such as:

financial wellbeing
employment advice
legal information
family issues and childcare support
alcohol and drug issues
gambling issues
stress and anxiety
bereavement.

Through this helpline, dental members can get:

counselling support from experts from a range of ethnic, cultural and disciplinary backgrounds who work within the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy's ethical framework for good practice in counselling and psychotherapy
access to qualified nurses who are on hand to offer advice on a range of medical or health related issues.

Seeking help

A GP can give objective advice about how to prevent and manage any health concerns you might have. You might also have access to an occupational health service.

Dental professionals should be able to understand the strain other members of the team are under. They may be in a position to offer help, relieve the pressure and listen and respond to concerns. They may also be able to spot if your health is beginning to affect your performance. Be ready and willing to accept help that is offered.

The GDC and dental professionals' health

Dental professionals who are unwell may come to the attention of the GDC if their practice is affected - for example, if there has been a complaint. No registrant wants to end up under GDC scrutiny, so it's vital to seek help when it's needed to hopefully prevent the situation reaching that point.

As well as this, GDC investigations into matters that aren't health related can be stressful and might also impact on your wellbeing.

In our experience, the GDC is sympathetic towards registrants with health problems providing they co-operate with health assessments and shows insight. With carefully designed voluntary undertakings or more formal conditions to ensure the dental professional has the supervision and support necessary for them to practice safely, many people with health problems affecting their fitness to practice will be able to continue working.

Sources of support

The list we have compiled below is not exhaustive and includes some national organisations, but remember that local support is also available in the form of your own GP, Local Dental Committee (LDC) and local occupational health arrangements.

Resources for dentists

British Doctors & Dentists Group - Mutual help group for medical and dental professionals who are recovering from, or want to recover from, an addiction to alcohol, drugs, or other behavioural dependencies.

Dentists' Health Support Trust - Provides free, confidential advice and support to dentists, dental care professionals (DCPs), and their families who are experiencing mental health issues or addiction problems.

NHS Practitioner Health Programme - Confidential and free service that provides mental health and addiction support to healthcare professionals.

Sick Doctors Trust - Provides confidential support and help to doctors, dentists, and medical students who are struggling with addiction to alcohol, drugs, or other dependencies.

The National Wellbeing Hub Scotland - Online resource platform established to support the mental and emotional health of all health and social care staff, including unpaid carers, in Scotland.

Resources for DCPs

British Association of Dental Nurses - Professional association and trade union for dental nurses.

The British Society of Dental Hygiene and Therapy - Professional body representing dental hygienists, dental therapists, and students.

Resources for everyone

Alcoholics Anonymous - A fellowship concerned with the personal recovery and continued sobriety of individual alcoholics who turn to the fellowship for help.

ConfiDental - Free, confidential 24/7 helpline providing emotional support and signposting for UK dental professionals, including dentists and students.

Samaritans - A charity dedicated to reducing feelings of isolation and disconnection that can lead to suicide. Open 24 hours a day.

SAMH - Scottish Association for Mental Health, is Scotland's leading mental health charity.

Narcotics Anonymous - Non-profit fellowship providing a supportive environment for recovering drug addicts to help each other stay clean, requiring only a desire to stop using drugs for membership.

Cocaine Anonymous - A fellowship of recovering addicts who maintain their individual sobriety by working with others.

Mind - The organization aims to ensure that everyone facing mental health issues gets the support and respect they deserve.

NHS Every Mind Matters - Initiative designed to equip individuals with the skills and confidence to support their mental health through simple, preventative steps.

Insight Timer - Meditation app with an extensive free library of guided meditations, music, and talks.

Mental Health Foundation - Charity dedicated to preventing poor mental health and promoting good mental well-being for everyone.

MindOut - The organization aims to improve the mental health and well-being of the LGBTQ community, address stigma, and make mental health a community concern.

NHS urgent help for mental health - Access NHS mental health services and where to get urgent help.

Shout Crisis Text Line - Free, confidential, 24/7 mental health text service for anyone in the UK who is struggling to cope.

We are with you - Provides free and confidential support across the UK for individuals and families facing challenges with drugs, alcohol, or mental health.

Wellbeing Support for the Dental Team - Resources for all dental team members, including students and non-clinical staff, to address mental health and wellbeing.

Dentists' health and wellbeing: sources of support

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