Mental Health & Burnout in Dentistry
Speaker
- Graduated from the University of North Carolina (Adams) School of Dentistry and completed a two-year General Practice Residency at the Medical University of South Carolina.
- Received the Academy of General Dentistry’s Fellowship, Mastership, and Lifelong Learning and Service Recognition Award.
- Earned a certificate in Chemical Dependency Counseling from Union College.
- Panelist for the ADA 2022 “Management of Acute Dental Pain Clinical Practice Evidence-based Guideline”.
- Past Member of the Dental Well-Being Advisory Committee of the ADA in Chicago (2016 – 2021).
- Panelist at the 1st Annual Health & Well-being Summit in September 2023 at the ADA in Chicago, IL.
- Presented at the 2024 Federation of States Physician Health Programs (FSPHP) Annual Session in Nashville, TN.
- Contributor to textbook: Diagnosis and Treatment Planning In Dentistry, 4th Edition, by Drs. Stefanac and Nesbit (June 2023).
- Executive Director of the North Carolina Caring Dental Professionals in 2022.
Disclosure: Dr. Claytor has no relevant financial relationships to report.
Course Description
Mental health issues are often viewed as isolated events in an individual. One might fear appearing "weak" or not able to stand the pressure. Mental health illnesses can also lead to drug/alcohol abuse and drug/alcohol abuse can also lead to mental health illnesses. Anxiety, depression, and professional burnout, in conjunction with workforce shortages, can all contribute to and magnify the difficulties in today's treatment environment to varying degrees causing fear and uneasiness. This course will address what we as a dental profession must do and modify to educate and protect ourselves, our patients, and our profession from the effects of mental health illnesses. I will discuss ways to practice dentistry in a healthy manner and provide dentistry and protect our profession that we so dearly love and have the privilege to practice.
Educational Objectives
- Discuss the effects stress, anxiety, burnout, perfectionism, and substance abuse can have on our mental health and how it may affect our profession and lives.
- Explore the impact and potential interactions associated with mental health illness and substance use disorders.
- Define burnout and its applicability to the dental office with recommended solutions addressing five (5) key areas for the dental team to consider to mitigate its effects.