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Managing long-term sickness absence of associate dentists

BDJ In Practice volume 38, pages 318–319 (2025)Cite this article

Whether you're a principal dentist managing a busy practice or an associate balancing clinical commitments and personal health, long-term sickness absence is something that can impact every oral healthcare team. This article outlines how to handle such situations fairly, professionally and with care.

Sickness is an unavoidable part of professional life. In dentistry, where continuity of care and patient relationships are vital, absence due to ill health can pose significant challenges for both associates and practice owners. The situation becomes more complex when considering that associates may work under different contractual arrangements, with some employed and others self-employed, each carrying distinct rights and responsibilities.

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  1. British Dental Association, London, United Kingdom

    Shabana Ishaq

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  1. Shabana Ishaq
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Correspondence to Shabana Ishaq.

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Ishaq, S. Managing long-term sickness absence of associate dentists. BDJ In Pract 38, 318–319 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41404-025-3254-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41404-025-3254-8

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