This week we published one of the most important research studies I have been involved in - Factors associated with suicidal ideation and suicide attempts by Australian dental practitioners. Suicide is a significant issue in Australia, with 3,144 deaths by suicide (2,358 males and 786 females) in 2021, making it the 15th leading cause of death. Of concern, the rate of deaths by suicide has increased from 10.2 per 100,000 people in 2006 to 12.0 per 100,000 people in 2021.
When I first started studying dentistry more than 30 years ago, I was often told (by friends and strangers alike) ‘don’t you know that dentists have the highest suicide rate, why would you study dentistry?’ This was a message that was often reinforced at dental school, and by many patients after I graduated. However the evidence to support this important issue was scant, as was data on the mental health of dental practitioners more generally.
Our study reported that 1 in 6 Australian dental practitioners had thoughts of suicide in the previous 12 months, more than 30% had ever had thoughts of suicide and 5.6% had previously made an attempt to take their own life. These are rates that are higher than reported in the Beyond Blue study of Australian medical practitioners in 2013, and aligns with research from the Black Dog Institute which has identified people working in the veterinary, dental, medical and legal professions as being at higher risk of suicide.
Dental practitioners had high burden of mental health issues, including depression, anxiety disorder, burnout and psychological distress, often at much higher levels than the general population. Dentistry is a stressful profession due to highly demanding technical skills and the imperative of striving for perfection. Previous research has highlighted high levels of professional stress due to the demands of meeting patients’ expectations, anxious, challenging or dissatisfied patients, time and scheduling pressures, and professional isolation from colleagues. Other factors contributing to stress experienced by dental practitioners include fear of litigation, patient complaints, pressures associated with running a small business, and negative public perceptions of dentists.
We found that suicidal ideation was strongly associated with depression and psychological distress. Younger practitioners (<30 years) were more than twice as likely to have had thoughts of suicide in the previous 12 months than older practitioners (61+ years), and males were twice as likely as females to have had thoughts of suicide in the previous 12 months.
The stigma associated with mental health problems remains a barrier for people seeking care, and this seems to be exacerbated with health care professionals. We often have the sense that we need to project invulnerability to our patients, and that mental health problems may be perceived by others as a sign of weakness. This stigma prevents people from talking about their mental health in the same way that they might talk about their physical health. Ultimately it compromises our health. As a profession we need to be more open to talking about our mental health, to help ourselves and our colleagues.
Mental health conditions exist across the Australian community, and health practitioners are not inherently immune.
It is vital that we reduce the stigma associated with mental health through advocacy and education to ensure practitioners can seek the appropriate support they need. Improving mental health of dental practitioners is important for their wellbeing, patient outcomes and public health.
There are plenty of confidential services that are available to provide help and support – please make sure that if you are experiencing any issues of anxiety, depression, burnout or thoughts of suicide that you seek professional help:
Lifeline – 13 11 14
Dental Practitioner Support - 1800 377 700
Beyond Blue – 1300 224 636
Share this post