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The health of the dental professional Part 5: Substance misuse

BDJ In Practice volume 37, pages 374–376 (2024)Cite this article

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In this article we will look at how certain substances can take over our lives. There are so many substances available to us, but they can all have a similar effect on our minds and bodies. Substances such as alcohol; tobacco; illegal drugs, such as opiates (heroin), cocaine; prescription medication; over the counter medication such as some pain pills; even caffeine. They all have the potential to lead to dependency and problems that can be cognitive, behavioural and physiological. Dentists are as likely to become ill as any other member of the community, in some cases more likely. Research has shown that dentists are at risk of developing substance misuse problems, alcohol misuse problems and mental health issues, sometimes in combination and probably more so than the general population.

The World Health Organisation defines drug misuse as ‘the use of a substance for a purpose not consistent with legal or medical guidelines'.1

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References

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Dental Coaching and Training Consultancy, Northampton, United Kingdom

    Janine Brooks

  2. London, United Kingdom

    Richard Jones

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  1. Janine Brooks
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  2. Richard Jones
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Correspondence to Janine Brooks.

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Brooks, J., Jones, R. The health of the dental professional Part 5: Substance misuse. BDJ In Pract 37, 374–376 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41404-024-2880-x

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