Dentistry Commons^™

Look To Your Ada, Mda For Health, And Wellness Help, Michelle C. Dziurgot Dds

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

This month, MDA Journal Editor Michelle C. Dziurgot, DDS, highlights dentists' mental health challenges, emphasizing the support available through the ADA and MDA. She references a 2021 survey showing high depression rates among dentists and lists depression symptoms. The ADA provides resources and a confidential health and wellness program. Similarly, the MDA offers the Member Assistance Program with counseling services for dentists and their families. Dziurgot urges dentists to seek help and not ignore their feelings, noting the persistent stress from the pandemic and the importance of utilizing available support.

Shift Your Energy To Shift Your Burnout, Laura Brenner Dds

Articulator Magazine

This article explores why standard burnout treatments like self-care activities and practice ownership often provide temporary relief but fail to address the root cause. The author identifies a common pattern among burnt-out, "Compassionate Caretakers" - a tendency towards people-pleasing, perfectionism, and self-sacrifice driven by a need for validation. In contrast, those who avoid burnout ("Solution Seekers") maintain healthy boundaries, let go of others' problems, and operate from a mindset of win-win solutions. By reframing perspectives through self-awareness and allowing self-compassion, Compassionate Caretakers can shift to become Solution Seekers. This inner work provides the energy to genuinely address external burnout triggers …

Self-Care For Healthcare Professionals, Purnima Hernandez Dda, Ms, Ma, Chwc

Articulator Magazine

This personal narrative chronicles the author's journey to prioritize self-care and adopt a lifestyle medicine approach after experiencing unexplained at the peak of her career. Realizing that succeeding in a profession dedicated to helping others required first helping herself, she immersed herself in learning about diet and lifestyle changes. By making reasonable adjustments to her sleep, nutrition, stress management, movement, and relationships, her health drastically improved within months. The article emphasizes the importance of self-care for healthcare professionals to avoid burnout and chronic lifestyle diseases. It provides a framework for developing a personalized lifestyle plan. Ultimately, the piece is a …

Caring For Our Colleagues: A Guide For Compassionate Action, Karen Foster Dds

Articulator Magazine

This article emphasizes the importance of prioritizing mental health in the dental profession, offering strategies for recognizing warning signs and encouraging proactive support for colleagues in distress, with resources available for assistance.

Challenges And Implications Of Mandated Reporting To Child Welfare In Dentistry, Katheryn Goldman Dmd, Mph, Phd, Daniel Pollack Msw, Jd

The New York State Dental Journal

Dentists are mandated reporters and are at the forefront of screening for child welfare referrals. The laws and systems surrounding reporting practice leave dentists working in pediatric settings with the responsibility of making a quick judgment about child maltreatment, with limited information, and sometimes limited training. Increased interdisciplinary collaboration and education on child welfare is necessary to better prepare and support dentists for practice with children who may present with suspected child maltreatment.

Everyone Deserves A Dental Home, Loren C. Baim Dds

The New York State Dental Journal

With knowledge and preparation, dental practices should be able to accommodate the growing population of people on the autism spectrum.

The New Professional: Prioritize Self-Care To Avoid Burnout, Amrita Patel Dds

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

In this inaugural column, “The New Dentist”, Dr. Amrita Patel shares her journey of recognizing and combating burnout in dentistry. She emphasizes the importance of self-care, boundary-setting, delegation, and seeking support. By prioritizing these strategies, professionals can safeguard their well-being, enhance job satisfaction, and deliver quality patient care without falling victim to burnout's detrimental effects.

News You Need, David Foe Ma

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

The 2024 MDA Annual Session promises a range of valuable events and courses, including a free keynote by Joe Johnson, PhD, addressing career fulfillment. Additional highlights include the Gordon Christensen session, new dentist track, leadership courses, and an expansive exhibit hall. Meanwhile, the MDA House of Delegates Nominating Committee announced its candidate slate for the upcoming administrative year. The MDA also offers a free webinar on suicide prevention and celebrates communities awarded for water fluoridation quality. Additionally, ADA news covers a clinical guideline on managing dental pain, the ADA Academy's teaching program, and World Oral Health Day initiatives. Lastly, local …

The Mda Member Assistance Program: Real Help When You Need It, Lisa Knowles Dds

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

This health and well-being feature focuses on the MDA Member Assistance Program, an invaluable resource for dentists navigating the myriad challenges of professional and personal life. The author shares personal experiences and testimonials, highlighting the diverse benefits offered by the program, from mental health counseling to work-life resources. The article emphasizes the program's accessibility, confidentiality, and the wide range of topics it addresses, making it a crucial tool for dentists seeking support and guidance.

J Mich Dent Assoc February 2024

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

Every month, The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association brings news, information, and features about Michigan dentistry to our state's oral health community and the MDA's 6,200+ members. No publication reaches more Michigan dentists!

• The February issue previews the 2024 Annual Session in Lansing, highlighting 61 courses, 48 speakers, and Michigan’s largest dental exhibit hall
• A Feature article on The MDA Member Assistance Program: Real Help When You Need It
• News You Need, including The MDA announcement of John Tramontana as the new CEO/executive director
• The MDA Student Debt Resource Center
• Updates on the MDA website refresh
• Celebrating National Children’s …

Staying Focused On A Moving Target: Coping With Change, North Shetter Dds

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

Amid rapid changes in dentistry, this commentary addresses strategies to manage stress and maintain professional balance. Drawing parallels to Moore's Law in technology, the author emphasizes the need for a balanced life, integrating work, play, love, and worship. The concept, rooted in the Pankey Philosophy, aligns with principles from Stephen Covey's Seven Habits. Core skills, including patient relationships, foundational dental practices, periodontal health, occlusion, and perpetual learning, are deemed essential. The article underscores the importance of personal dental health and advocates for study clubs to share, learn, and mentor, fostering a positive professional environment amid evolving technologies and information overload.