Resilience in the dental profession: Importance and applications

Resilience is one of the most critical characteristics for healthcare professionals, particularly dentists, who are called upon to manage not only clinical challenges but also the psychological and emotional demands of their daily work. Resilience refers to an individual's ability to recover and adapt effectively after difficult situations or stress. In dentistry, stress factors include workload, the need for high precision in procedures, dealing with difficult or concerning cases, and patient demands for immediate care.

The importance of resilience for dentists

Daily interactions with patients who are experiencing pain, ignorance, or anxiety can cause emotional strain for dentists. At the same time, professionals in the field must cope with increasing technological demands, legal changes, and evolving medical procedures. These challenges can lead to professional burnout, stress, and even doubts about their professional abilities.

In this context, resilience plays a crucial role in a dentist's ability to face daily challenges and maintain their well-being. This mental resilience allows them to recover from professional setbacks and continue providing quality services while preserving their mental and emotional health.

Resilience training through webinars

Resilience training is an important part of professional development for dentists. One of the most effective ways to strengthen mental resilience is by participating in specialized training programs and webinars, such as "Resilient Dentist" organized by the Dental School of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens. This webinar, which will take place on April 2, 2025, aims to enhance dentists' mental resilience by providing useful strategies for developing resilience both professionally and personally.

Resilience strategies for dentists

Many strategies for enhancing resilience in the field of dentistry include stress management, empathy for patients, and maintaining a healthy work-life balance. Specifically, techniques such as mindfulness, positive thinking, and proper time management are valuable tools for preventing professional burnout and enhancing emotional resilience.

Conclusions and recommendations

Strengthening resilience in dentists is not only crucial for their well-being but also vital for the quality of services they provide to their patients. Participating in training programs like "Resilient Dentist" can provide valuable skills and knowledge that help manage the daily challenges of their profession. Resilience is not just an individual skill but also a collective need for the dental field, as professionals require support to remain healthy, productive, and happy.

References

Antoniadou, M. Estimation of Factors Affecting Burnout in Greek Dentists before and during the COVID-19 Pandemic. Dent. J. 2022, 10, 108. https://doi.org/10.3390/dj10060108.

Marchand WR. Mindfulness-based stress reduction, mindfulness-based cognitive therapy, and Zen meditation for depression, anxiety, pain, and psychological distress. J Psychiatr Pract. 2012 Jul;18(4):233-52. doi: 10.1097/01.pra.0000416014.53215.86.