Psychological distress and the perceived impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on UK dentists during a national lockdown. Br Dent J 2021; 230: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41415-020-2592-5.

As dentists, we are well aware that our profession can be acutely stressful. We might expect that it has something to do with carrying out manually dextrous work at a ferocious pace, serenaded by high frequency handpieces under artificial light and the ever-present threat of litigation. Throw in a good measure of distrust from the public, together with dysfunctional systems of remuneration, then we might expect to feel occasionally overwhelmed. What we might not have expected, however, is that a global pandemic could reduce distress.

The authors of this paper collected data from a survey of UK dentists in May 2020 and compared their findings with previous research. Their aim was to compare levels of psychological distress in UK dentists, before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Just over 5,000 of our colleagues responded, accounting for roughly 12% of all UK dentists registered with the GDC. Overall, 57.8% of respondents exceeded the clinical threshold for psychological distress. Surprisingly, this represents a 10% decrease when compared to research carried out before the pandemic in 2017. Most responses were from GDPs, among whom practice owners reported significantly higher levels of psychological distress than associates. This could reasonably be predicted considering the additional financial burdens and responsibilities that come with running a business. The survey also gave respondents the opportunity to comment on how the pandemic has affected them and how they believe it will affect future practice. What emerges from these personal testimonies is an overwhelming sense of frustration. Colleagues describe themselves as 'completely disillusioned', feeling 'traumatised' and even being 'totally indifferent about the future of [their] career in dentistry'. There is deep dissatisfaction expressed towards those who are leading the profession with respondents often feeling undervalued and undersupported. However, many dentists described the time away from the profession - afforded by the pandemic - as beneficial. More time with family, indulging in hobbies and 'stepping off the treadmill' were all cited as positive changes brought about by the national lockdown.

Might we find some seeds of hope amidst these findings? Surely, the abrupt intrusion of COVID-19 has shaken the practice of dentistry in the UK like never before. How many of us have gained new perspective on life and work? As the engine of our profession shudders into action and gathers pace once more, how many of us will be prepared to sacrifice our newfound freedom and mental wellbeing? It seems that the national lockdown has given us all something we sorely needed - time. Time to relax, reflect and recharge. Surely now, we have the insight and motivation required to push for reform so that together with our colleagues, we may not merely function but thrive in our chosen profession.