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How to deal with loneliness in dentistry

BDJ In Practice volume 37, pages 20–21 (2024)Cite this article

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Loneliness is a feeling that we have all felt, especially during the lockdown periods of 2020 and 2021. Having coached dentists over the years, many have intimated that they have had feelings of loneliness throughout their career.1

Even if you are working in a busy practice with other dental staff, the feeling of loneliness can be deafening. Dentists perform intricate tasks daily, with a high degree of concentration needed. With a feeling of detachment from the outside world, overthinking can manifest, leading to low moods, depression and low self-esteem. It is during these periods of loneliness that dentists can question their purpose, career choice and often tumble down the unfortunate road of imposter syndrome, a topic I have previously covered here.2

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References

  1. Dentistry Census. 2021. Available online at: https://dentistry.co.uk/2022/02/03/dentistry-census-launches-taking-a-deeper-looking-at-dentistry-in-the-uk/ (accessed November 2023).

  2. Rahman D. Overcoming imposter syndrome in dentistry. BDJ In Pract 2022; 35: 30-31.

  3. Dentistry.co.uk. Walk and Talk for Dentistry - how it can help to battle loneliness. Available online at: https://dentistry.co.uk/2022/05/26/walk-and-talk-for-dentistry-how-it-can-help-to-battle-loneliness/ (accessed November 2023).

  4. The Dentist. ‘Dentistry can be a lonely profession' - the mental effects in the aftermath of COVID-19. 2020. Available online at: www.the-dentist.co.uk/content/news/dentistry-can-be-a-lonely-profession-the-mental-effects-in-the-aftermath-of-covid-19/ (accessed November 2023).

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  1. Mind Coach, London, United Kingdom

    David Rahman

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  1. David Rahman
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Correspondence to David Rahman.

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Rahman, D. How to deal with loneliness in dentistry. BDJ In Pract 37, 20–21 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41404-023-2258-5

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