UNDER THE SPOTLIGHT
leading mental health researchers, the topic resonated with Assoc Prof Hopcraft making him reflect on a period earlier in his career where he very clearly experienced the symptoms of burnout without realising what it was. “At the time I had put it down to stress and overwork, and instead of seeking help I ended up quitting that job. So, I partnered with Gordon and led a team researching the mental health and wellbeing of Australian dental practitioners,” he explained. In his team’s research, a common conclusion highlighted was the need for additional programmes and education to support mental health issues, and the effective management of these resources. Despite the existing availability and avenues of mental health resources and support, the lack of co-ordination between different agents is often difficult as there is no single organisation that is the central point of focus to achieve this. While there is a role for professional associations and other stakeholders to work together to provide resources and support to all members of respective dental teams, the challenge lies in the support gaps outside the reach of such stakeholders which do not cover the entire proportion of registered practitioners. With this in mind, Assoc Prof Hopcraft has been working with Mindful Smiles Hub, a mental health support organisation for dental practitioners, to fill in these gaps. Founded in 2023, Mindful Smiles Hub aims to bring together resources and support for dental practitioners to help overcome stigma and improve mental health and wellbeing. Moreover, Assoc Prof Hopcraft highlighted the important barrier which stigma creates in preventing
or delaying practitioners seeking professional help.
as well as planning some podcasts that focus on mental health and wellbeing,” he added. Offering his advice for individuals to care for their mental health, Assoc Prof Hopcraft underscored the importance of sleep, exercise and healthy eating, as key pillars of mental wellbeing. “In nearly every talk and presentation I give, the audiences all say they do not get enough sleep, exercise and could probably improve their diet. Beyond that, I find things like mindfulness to be valuable, setting aside some time in the day to do something enjoyable, like reading a book for pleasure or playing music, and talking to friends and colleagues about the challenges that you are facing,” he said. He concluded: “The key message is to prioritise your mental health and wellbeing, and to not be afraid to ask for support, and to seek professional help if you are struggling. Do not leave it too late.” DA
“Stigma is such a huge issue, and people are worried about how they will be perceived by their patients and colleagues, and the idea still persists that the dental board might put restrictions on registration if you have a diagnosed mental illness,” he said. To overcome this, Assoc Prof Hopcraft believes that mental health should be cared for in the same vein as physical health, where open conversations should be encouraged and normalised in both personal and professional settings. “It is important that we have people tell their stories, which will encourage others to share their struggles too, and realise that they are not alone,” he said. Additionally, Assoc Prof Hopcraft believes professional organisations have a role to extend the coverage of education and support across the spectrum, from student to retiree. As part of their ongoing research, Assoc Prof Hopcraft and his team are now focusing on dental students in the hopes of developing initiatives to prepare practitioners for the challenges of dentistry at the commencement of their career journey.
“We are continuing to build our work and resources through the Mindful Smiles Hub. I am hopeful that we can organise a dental practitioner wellbeing conference in the near future. I am also doing some work with FDI to support dental students,
With the insights gleaned from his research, Assoc Prof Hopcraft urges dental practitioners to prioritise one’s mental health and not to delay help if needed
24 DENTAL ASIA SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2024
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