UNDER THE SPOTLIGHT
adoption of best practices and/or policies that prioritise mental wellbeing," Dr Stokes added. In April 2024, the MPS Foundation announced its partnership with FDI World Dental Federation (FDI) on a project aimed to raise awareness of the importance of managing mental health and develop further resources for oral health professionals. The FDI project, which is in currently its second phase, will run until December 2025. The project activities will revolve around the World Mental Health Day in October to raise awareness of and destigmatise mental health issues in dentistry. It will focus on dental professionals and students, promoting and extending the resources and tools created in the first phase of the project. In the successful first phase that ran from September 2021 to September 2022, an online mental health toolkit for dental professionals, dental practices and national dental associations was developed, as well as resources like podcasts to address challenges faced by individuals and practices. In the second phase, the project aims to challenge stigma by normalising the discussion of mental health issues around dentistry. The awareness of the importance of addressing mental health issues and wellbeing for dental practitioners and dental students will be raised, including the impact of patient dental phobia on practitioner mental health. The project will also develop resources and training materials for dental team members and dental students to address specific challenges, as well as resources for patients, to prevent and manage dental anxiety and fear of visits to the dentist. THE LONG GAME With MPS gearing up to turn the spotlight on mental health in October, Dr Stokes proffered some principles from his personal experience when he was involved
with teaching newly qualified dentists, which he found useful in his career and life as a dental professional. First, focus on building trust where a strong patient-dentist relationship is the foundation of a successful practice and a very effective risk management strategy. This is a collaborative approach where dentists and patients jointly make healthcare decisions, integrating evidence-based practice with the patient’s preferences, values, and personal circumstances. “We advocate the shared decision-making model; patients who feel respected are more likely to comply with your advice and return for on-going care. Building trust through open, empathetic communication increases patient satisfaction and also makes our work more rewarding. Involve your patients in decision-making about their treatment,” he said. Next, Dr Stokes encouraged practitioners to always think long-term, looking beyond immediate gains but at the overall trend of one’s career. It is important not to just focus on short-term successes or financial gain. “Develop habits and systems that will support you throughout your career. This includes managing stress, maintaining work-life balance, and ensuring financial stability over the long term. I am writing this response in the middle of the Paris
Olympics, so I will say a career in dentistry is a marathon, not a sprint,” he said.
Moreover, there are benefits in having a clear practising philosophy to define one’s core values and create a professional identity. In doing so, Dr Stokes believes that professionals will attract patients who are aligned with their values which will build what is described as “premium loyalty” — when those patients become ambassadors for your brand of care. “Know what you stand for as a dentist in terms of patient-centred care. Raj Rattan, MPS’ dental director, describes this as an ‘ethical fingerprint’. I remember many years ago sharing a platform with Raj, before we were in our present roles in MPS, and we concluded that you always end up with the practice you deserve. In other words, you achieve the practice that reflects your efforts, commitment and practising philosophy,” explained Dr Stokes. Finally, professionals should commit to high standards, always aiming to provide the best possible care, whether it is clinical excellence, service-standards or patient communication. “Striving for excellence not only improves clinical outcomes but there is an intrinsic satisfaction in mastering your craft. To achieve this mastery, you must invest in your skills, build your reputation, and have a relationship built on trust. This will pay off in the long run,” he said. Dr Stokes concluded on a note of gratitude, as he reflected the responsibility and honour thrust upon the profession to impact and change lives, despite the challenges faced in a dental career. He said: “Amid the challenges that we face in the modern world, we should remember that working in healthcare is a privilege. Embracing this privilege leads to a deep sense of fulfilment and we should not lose sight of this. Our work goes beyond the daily stresses and complexities of clinical practice; it is about making a real difference in people's lives.” DA
Dr Stokes underlined principles like trust, excellence, and ethics as foundations that help guide and navigate one’s career in dentistry (Image: freepik)
22 DENTAL ASIA SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2024
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