Learned Optimism is a strategic way of thinking that can be taught and developed in individuals. It focuses on disputing or challenging those thoughts to better serve us, our wellbeing, and our careers. If you find yourself thinking, “This is ruining my whole life”, ask yourself, “Really? Is this event really ruining my whole life or is it just impacting a specific part of my life, my work, my day?”.

It is often reported that dentists have a high rate of suicide, and this is linked to the stress of working in dental practice. Research conducted by the Black Dog Institute has identified people working in the veterinary, dental, medical and legal professions at higher risk of suicide. Research in Australian dental practitioners found that around 1 in 6 reported thoughts of suicide in the previous 12 months, nearly 1 in 3 had thoughts of suicide prior to the previous 12 months and 5.6% had ever made an attempt to take their own life.

Dentistry is a stressful profession, with stressors including time and scheduling pressures, striving for perfection, fear of litigation, anxious patients, demanding and unrealistic patient expectations (particularly meeting aesthetic needs), business pressures, staffing problems, regulatory demands and negative perceptions of the dental profession. It can also be an isolating profession despite there often being a large number of staff in the workplace.

Many new graduates will be embarking on their first weeks in dental practice, with a range of emotions – excited, scared, anxious and hopeful. It’s important to remember that this is a path well-trodden – every dental practitioner who supervised you at dental school, acted as a mentor or who is now your employer – embarked on this same journey.

The new year is often a time for reflection on the year that has passed, and a focus on the year ahead. The transition from one year to the next is more than just turning a page in the calendar – it can be a strong symbolic moment that acknowledges the passing of time and the capacity for our continued growth and improvement.

Whilst the holiday period is an opportunity for people to unwind and relax, for many people it can be a period of great stress and anxiety. Rather than an opportunity to release the pressure valve, some people put additional pressure on themselves to create the perfect Christmas dinner or holiday experience.