Dentists are stressed. That’s the key takeaway from reports into the sector carried out by the British Dental Association. Stress, burnout, and high rates of anxiety are among the most commonly reported issues. The challenge for those working in a dental practice is finding ways to alleviate those negative outcomes and create a more positive workspace. This will require more than a simple redecoration plan. When mental health plays such an important role in maintaining motivation, productivity, and engagement with patients, dentists need to ensure that the environment they work in is conducive to a more positive mental attitude. But, what can dental practitioners do to make sure the workplace isn’t compounding the issues?
Communication and Support
One of the advantages of the digital age is that there are now resources that make collaboration significantly easier. Communication among peers is a vital element of a positive workplace, and there are a variety of methods for improving communication and collaboration processes. Technology should be utilized across the board. Automation can improve workflow and prevent appointment confusion, while collaborative platforms like Google Drive, Dropbox, and even Slack can make it easier to stay on top of what your colleagues are doing and need.
Streamlining Business Management
One of the main causes of stress among dentists is less about patient interaction and more about the traditional issues of running any kind of business. Supply chains can be a huge cause of anxiety and stress, especially in those instances where you need a specific resource but your suppliers are late to deliver or out of stock entirely. To tackle this, update your management systems. Consider alternative suppliers, and look at those that offer fixed price periods and a variety of ordering methods. Suppliers like www.kentexpress.co.uk tick all of the boxes when you need to buy dental supplies and could be the key to a more stress-free environment.
Staff Meetings
You pass each other regularly, but your team must take the time to touch base on a regular basis. This can be useful for a variety of reasons. Not only can it reduce the sensation of isolation that is all too common in the modern workspace, but regular meetings can also help in terms of team building. Use your meetings to discuss business issues and goals and ensure that goal alignment is consistent across your whole team. This is also a good way to make sure that your colleagues are not showing the obvious signs of mental health issues. No matter how many people work in your dental practice, make sure that you take the time to check up on all of them. The closer you become as a cohesive unit, the more positive your workplace will become.
Mental health is vital in any workplace. For dentists and those that work in dental practices, the need to take proactive steps to ensure positive mental health is increasingly crucial. With external stresses like political or economic news to factor in, the easier and more comfortable you can make your workspace, the more positive the mental health of you and your colleagues.