Dental Check-up podcast explores mental health in the workplace

Launched by the FDI World Dental Federation (the ADA is a member), the first series of the Dental Check-up podcast highlights common mental health problems among oral health professionals and possible solutions.

Hosted by renowned psychology professor, Tim Newton who has spent 25 years working in dental settings, the podcast is designed "to put the spotlight on topical issues and profile key oral health matters".

In the second episode of the three-part series, "Am I good enough? A healing journey", Prof. Newton talks with Australian dentist, Dr Kaejenn Tchia who discusses the way in which the pressures of working in dentistry led to burnout and deleterious impact on his wellbeing. 

It’s a compelling first-person account of how Dr Tchia dealt with his personal struggles and regained his confidence, and it builds on the first episode where Prof. Newtown and general dental practitioner, Dr Anastasios Plessas discuss the nature of stress in a dental team setting and how it’s possible to make positive changes in these situations. 

With Mental Health Awareness Month taking place throughout the month of October in Australia, the Dental Check-up series is a great opportunity to better understand mental health issues in the dental workplace and "learn how members of dental teams can support each other to improve their mental health at the workplace".

You can listen to the podcast episode at "Am I good enough? The power of sharing a story: available now on the Dental Check-up podcast"

As part of its ongoing initiative, Health and Safety in the Dental Workplace, FDI will be launching a mental health toolkit later this year to further support dentists and their teams in addressing mental health challenges in their workplaces.

Australian dentists can also access mental health support through the Dental Practitioner Support which offers free 24/7 confidential national telephone service providing health support to dental practitioners across Australia.