Students by Beth Bradley

‘Extract’ Negativity, ‘Implant’ Positivity

by Beth Bradley

Studying, training and practising dentistry is an extremely arduous task, so succeed it’s paramount to be at the top of your game physically, mentally and emotionally. The best way to do this is to make sure to look after yourself. Make time for yourself, be kind to yourself and follow these simple steps to a healthier you.

Do not compare yourself

Undoubtedly the hardest one. In our media-fuelled world where we are bombarded with images of ‘perfect’ people and stories of ‘perfect’ lives, it’s important to remember that what we see are the highlight reels of people’s lives. Accept yourself, your pace and your journey. You are like no other, so do not try to be.

Make time for family and friends

Your support system is everything, no matter how large or small. Make time for the people who got you to where you are today. Nurture the relationships that promote your happiness, confidence and originality. If you feel lonely, reach out to others or join a club or society. We are often only as strong as the company we keep.

Get active

Move your body! Get outside and run, walk, play a sport or join a gym ... these are only a few suggestions for how you can incorporate exercise into your life.

Exercise has been proven time and time again to improve mood and to help people live happier, healthier lives, so make sure to incorporate it into your daily routine.

Sleep

Tiredness affects our ability to concentrate, interact and cope with challenging situations. To combat tiredness we need a good night’s sleep. In order to sleep better, why not try some of the following?

• Limit screen time before bed.
• Keep a notepad and pen in a bedside drawer to write a list of all the things or to-do lists you think about when your head hits the pillow.
• Avoid caffeine after noon and create a bedtime routine that works for you (soothing scents such as lavender can help to create a restful environment).

Eat well, drink well

Last but not least, as dentists we are well aware of what we should eat, but can often be guilty of straying from our own advice. Find a healthy balanced diet that works for you. Whether this involves meal prepping in advance or daily trips to the shop for fresh ingredients, no two people will be the same. Remember to drink plenty of water, because this will help with concentration and alertness, both crucial in our daily dental lives.

Make February the month of looking after yourself.

Exemplary Education

by Ameen Daywood

I didn’t know what to expect from the BACD’s Young Dentists Day, but I was blown away by just how exemplary the event was as a whole. I would 100 percent recommend it to any dental student or newly qualified professional.

Attending Young Dentists Day is a small time commitment, with a huge return on investment.

Having the opportunity to meet other dental professionals who are driven to become the best versions of themselves is a good enough reason to join the event—not to mention the high quality educational content that is delivered there.

For further enquiries about the British Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, visit bacd.com.

Are Work and Life Separate?

by John Gorman

As a final-year dental student, I’m almost at the end of my undergraduate academic journey, ready to be given the freedom to perform dentistry outside of the safe confines of the dental hospital.

There is an overwhelming feeling with undergraduate students that once you’ve been handed your degree, your career and life will be on an upward trajectory for your remaining days. Sadly, the dental profession is suffering from a difficult period that has caused record numbers of dentists dissatisfied with their career.

The NHS Confidence Monitor Survey published by PracticePlan last summer found that 72 percent of NHS dentists surveyed were unhappy with their work–life balance.¹ This might not seem a shock to many, because the failings of the current NHS dental system are well understood and publicised, causing dentists a lot of undue stress. However, through the eyes of a dental student about to enter the profession, the results can be much more impactful.

Many dental students feel disheartened by the stories of dentists facing litigation, being dragged in front of the GDC, stressed by failing NHS systems and becoming disenfranchised by the profession. This is not the profession they expected when applying, and not one that dentists deserve.

The growing career dissatisfaction is complex and multifactorial, but Jeff Bezos, Amazon CEO, has one central piece of advice that he offers new Amazon employees that could be integrated into dentistry. He believes that ‘work–life balance’ is a ‘debilitating phrase’.²

Bezos posits that this phrase intrinsically classifies life as a positive experience and work as a negative experience. Not compartmentalising work and life, but viewing them as working in harmony, allows the good and bad aspects of both to affect you equally and stops your career from causing undue stress and mental health problems.

Bezos’ advice must be taken with a pinch of salt; being the world’s richest man likely lends oneself to being more relaxed. However, there are lessons to be learned: In 2015 the BDA surveyed its members and found some of the most common sources of stress were: challenging patients; pressures of time; managerial expectations; and high workload.³ Although many of these difficulties are out with a practitioner’s control, having a better method to minimise the effect of work-related stress goes a long way to improving career satisfaction.

When older dentists are asked for career advice, the vast majority will advise young dentists to increase time spent with family, friends and hobbies, and very few will advise to increase dental work. This speaks volumes about where older dentists see their priorities, and yet younger dentists generally talk of furthering their careers and increasing their responsibilities. The difficulty with dentistry as a profession is that it’s populated with high-achievers—people who find it near-impossible to reject a challenge, even if it will be detrimental to their mental health.

There are many challenges in dentistry—some which can be overcome and others which must be endured—but ensuring a good attitude toward your career is a major modifiable cause of stress.

The 72 percent of dentists dissatisfied with their work–life balance may have to view their careers through the eyes of themselves at dental school. Was this career what they had envisaged, or would they be better listening to Jeff Bezos and stop balancing their work and life, but make them act in harmony?

References
1. https://blog.practiceplan.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/Confidence-Monitor-6-Report.pdf
2. http://uk.businessinsider.com/jeff-bezo-advice-to-amazon-employees-dont-aim-for-work-life-balance-its-a-circle-2018-4
3. https://www.bda.org/dentists/policy-campaigns/research/workforce-finance/sal-serv/Documents/BDA%20research%20report%20-%20