27% of dentists in Scotland report significant depressive symptoms

A recent survey, which looked into the impact of the COVID-19 virus on the dental team, has highlighted that 27% of dentists in Scotland report significant depressive symptoms amongst COVID-19.

In addition, the survey discovered that 55% of primary care staff report feelings of emotional exhaustion – this is because they felt less prepared to manage their financial insecurities, health and coping with uncertainty than their trainee counterparts (25%).

Participants included hygienists/therapists, vocational dental practitioners, dental nurses, dental core trainees and dental speciality training registrars.

David Felix, NES dental director, stated: “We want to understand how the pandemic is affecting the mental health of dental professionals so that everyone involved can support them during and after this difficult period. The study raises important issues around trauma, depressive symptoms and emotional exhaustion. Everyone in and around the dental profession has a role to play in this. It is something that NES will be incorporating into our work as we go ahead. As well as following up with future studies.”