Coping with stress: Support for dentists

The NHS Practitioner Health programme offers free access to confidential advice and support staffed by experts whose training is tailored to understand the specific circumstances of clinical life.

Sign up for the free NHS Practitioner Health service by phoning 0300 0303 300 or emailing [email protected].

The following services and resources are available to dentists and their teams in Northern Ireland:

• Inspire NI have put in place The General Dental Services Assistance Programme offering wellbeing and mental health support specifically designed to meet the needs of GDPs in Northern Ireland. It includes a free, 24-hour, confidential support helpline which you can access on 0800 389 5362, and off-site face-to-face counselling, as well as a range of digital tools and resources to support your wellbeing
• If you are worried about your own, or a colleague’s, mental health, drug or alcohol use, you can contact the Dentists' Health Support Trust for professional and confidential support and advice
• The HSC NI in conjunction with The Organisation for the Review of Care and Health Apps (ORCHA) have launched a health app library. Available apps include stress management, staying fit, wellbeing and improving sleep
• Bereavement support is available for you and your loved ones through the Family Support government website
• Lifeline is a free 24/7 suicide support service, you can contact them on 0808 808 8000

We have worked with the Government to produce mental health and wellbeing resources for dentists and their teams across Scotland. The following resources are available to you when you need them.

• The NHS Occupational Health Advice and Guidance Service offers support for those experiencing stress and is delivered through individual NHS Boards
• NHS Scotland has a summary of partner organisations with mental health and wellbeing resources for dental teams
• The National Wellbeing Hub is for everyone working in health, social care and social work in Scotland
• NHS Inform offers guidance on how to manage low mood, anxiety, phobias, stress and where you can get help for these issues
• NHS 24 Living Life provides support over the phone using techniques based on Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, or CBT
• SALUS work with NHS Board Occupational Health Services to offer occupational health and return to work services for GDPs and other members of the dental team
• Turas offers wellbeing tools and resources as part of NHS Education for Scotland, including for the prevention of self-harm and suicide.

NHS dentists in Wales have access to Canopi, the mental health support service formerly known as Health for Health Professionals.

Anxiety UK 03444 775 774
Support for people affected by anxiety disorders.

Mental Health Foundation 020 7803 1100
Information on understanding and maintaining good mental health.

Mind 0300 102 1234
Support for those suffering from mental health problems.

Rethink Mental Illness 0808 801 0525
Support and advice for people living with mental illness.

Samaritans 116 123
Confidential support for anyone who is struggling to cope, for whatever reason.

Sane 0300 304 7000
Resources and information on mental health.

ACAS
Free and impartial information and advice to employers and employees on all aspects of workplace relations and employment law. ACAS' advisory booklet stress at work investigates stress in the workplace and offers employers helpful advice.

Health and Safety Executive (HSE) 0300 003 1747
Britain's national regulator for workplace health and safety. Access the resources for work-related stress and read management standards to help organisations assess the risks of stress and identify solutions.

Healthy Working Lives 0800 019 2211
Support and advice for employers to create a safe, healthy and more motivated workforce across Scotland.

Time to Change
Mental health information and guidance on creating a healthier workplace for employees and managers.